She has benefited from government schemes such as receiving fertilizers and insecticides. Her bank keeps her updated with information about government schemes for agriculture sector. Leela is actively involved in promoting organic farming in the village, by training other women farmers. She shares her own experience of using vermi-compost with them to encourage them to try it and see the benefits for themselves. She has also led and organized struggles on issues of proper drainage or when some land-owners were not letting people use paths that led to their farms etc.
"I also occasionally roll beedis (leaf-rolled cigarettes) to make extra income. I do not eat tobacco but the company's contractors come and give us tendu leaves to roll them into beedis. Every night after dinner, before going to bed, I would roll 500 beedis. This extra daily income of INR 40 has helped me to buy new clothes for the entire family for the celebration of puja festival (dussehra) this year. I know that tobacco use is bad for health and no one consumes tobacco in our house". By shifting to organic farming Leela has increased her annual income manifold from INR 10,000 -- 15,000 to over INR 100,000.
Land ownership
Leela has a separate bank account as well as a joint account with her husband. But the 2.5 acres of land they own is in her husband's name. Leela never thought of having the land in her name, as she believes (like so many other women do) that she is not separate from her husband and the land belongs to both of them. She feels that her husband is responsible and loving and so she will never assert for her legal ownership or property rights--not even joint ownership on paper.
"But if the husband is alcoholic then the land should belong to both husband and wife, and even the bank account should be in their joint names. An irresponsible husband is quite likely to sell his land/house/property, putting the wife and children in grave trouble. So in such circumstances joint ownership and property rights for the woman must be there."
Women's education, marriage and family planning
"I believe it is very important for everyone, especially women, to be educated and self-reliant to lead a life of dignity. This is also the surest way to ensure that next generation children will also get proper education". "Getting proper education also makes a girl more employable and makes her financially secure. When a girl takes up a job it has a positive influence on the entire household."
"Girls should not be married till at least 18 years of age. If the girl is interested in studying then marriage should take a backseat and she should focus on studies even if it means postponing marriage till 30 years".
(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).
1
1
1
