Chanchala Devi is a 53-year-old single Raji woman from Kulekh village in Pithoragarh district. She raised the issue of illegal liquor sales in her village during a women’s collective meeting. The women of Kulekh are organized by ARPAN under the ‘Mahila Adhikar Sangathan’ (Women’s Rights Organization), which meets regularly to discuss problems and find collective solutions. The illegal sale of liquor had created a dire situation in the village, with even young children purchasing and consuming it. The liquor was being sold in unlicensed shops and even in general stores, leading to domestic violence, family breakdowns, and economic distress as earnings were spent on liquor instead of essentials. Health issues, crime, and youth addiction were on the rise, further deepening the social and economic vulnerabilities of the community.
Chanchala Devi, along with other members of the collective, visited the nearest police station in Ogla village and filed a complaint. The police officer was convinced by the issues raised by the women and assured them of strict action against those selling illegal liquor. The police conducted several raids, and those responsible were booked. This sent a strong message to the community, and the sale of illegal liquor has now completely stopped. Even licensed shops are now cautious about selling liquor to underage individuals.
Chanchala Devi is a single woman. Her husband passed away 6-7 years ago. She has two sons, who are now married and reside separately in the same village. Chanchala Devi receives a monthly widow pension of Rs. 1,500 and an annual support of Rs. 6,000 under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana as government assistance. She owns a small piece of land (12 mutthi = 0.016 hectares) where she cultivates for her sustenance. However, her crops are often damaged by wild boars and monkeys, leaving her with little yield. She is also a member of a Self-Help Group (SHG) formed under the National Rural Livelihood Mission, from which she received funds to purchase six goats in September 2024. For livelihood, she collects grass and wood from the forest, selling it in the market for Rs. 50 per load. Additionally, she works as a daily wage laborer, cutting grass for about two months a year, earning Rs. 500 per day.
Chanchala Devi’s activism and leadership have united the women of her village, giving them the courage to raise their voices for their rights.