Since 2022, women of the Raji community have been actively engaging with government officials to secure essential services for their villages. These determined efforts have been supported by ARPAN, a grassroots organisation that has been advocating for the rights and entitlements of the Raji community for the past two decades.
The women’s key demands included the establishment of an Aanganwadi center, an essential rural childcare facility for young children, pregnant women, and lactating mothers, along with access to healthcare and livelihood programs within their own villages. Through a series of interface meetings facilitated by ARPAN, the women persistently voiced their concerns at the district headquarters.
In 2023, their efforts bore fruit when the Chief Development Officer (CDO) sanctioned the construction of five multipurpose buildings in the Raji villages of Madapuri-Khutachorani, Ghanagaon, Kimkhola, Aultadi-Kulekh, and Kantoli. These buildings were planned as community centers where Aanganwadi services could be provided, while also accommodating health workers, panchayat officials, and sub-revenue officers. Each building was designed to include four rooms, a hall, and necessary facilities.
One of the major victories emerged in Aultadi, a Raji village in Pithoragarh district. Home to eleven families, Aultadi lacked an Aanganwadi center, forcing children and mothers to travel 2-3 kilometers down the hill to access basic services. Women from Aultadi took a strong stand during the district-level interface meetings and successfully secured approval for a multipurpose building in their village, to be shared with twelve families from neighboring Kulekh village. A work tender was issued, and a contract was signed for the construction.
However, a challenge soon arose. Villagers discovered that the designated construction site had been shifted from their village to a more accessible location near the main market, where construction costs would be lower. This relocation was done without their consent, as a result of a conspiracy between the contractor and some local people not from the Raji community.
Determined to protect their hard-won victory, the women of Aultadi and Kulekh turned to ARPAN for support. Leaders like Bhavna Devi, Radhika, and Sonu mobilized the community and organized a meeting where ARPAN representatives were also present. It was decided that a memorandum would be prepared and submitted to government officials. Their persistent advocacy caught the attention of the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) Chairperson, who visited the community and listened to their concerns. The impact of ARPAN’s long-standing work was evident – Raji women, once unheard, were now asserting their rights with confidence and clarity.
Determined to bring the building back to their village, the women met multiple officials, arguing that the multipurpose building should be constructed within their own community. Their unwavering efforts convinced the Block Development Officer to instruct re-evaluation of the site selection. Finally, in consultation with the villagers, a new plot was identified within 100 meters of Aultadi, approved by both the Pradhan (local governing head) and the Patwari (village revenue officer).
Today, construction is underway in Aultadi, marking a significant achievement for the Raji women. Their struggle exemplifies the power of grassroots mobilization and collective action, proving that when communities stand together, they can challenge systemic injustices and claim their rightful access to government programs.