Clean lanes, dustbins placed neatly in front of almost all houses-no filth, no dirt, no repellent odor. The women in the basti peeking out of their houses to catch a glimpse of the visitors were neatly dressed. Hair oiled and plaited, sarees neatly tied, vermilion, kohl, trinkets, bangles-figures of perfect Indian woman. The children playing in clean lanes, all well dressed in clean clothes. It was hard to believe that this was a slum.

The community based organization (CBO), Mehtab Mahila Arogya Samiti- a robust group of 12 women working in the basti called Kachpura (Agra, Uttar Pradesh) were the agents of change who with their determination had transformed the face of the basti. Candidly they reported that the basti was not always the same. Due to the unhygienic conditions prevalent in the basti it was difficult to walk without covering ones nose. Streets strewn with filth, human waste and overflowing drains. During the rains the situation worsened.  How then was this transformation brought about?

The CBO members were excited to narrate the efforts they had put into the cleanliness drive initiated by them about six months back. When Family Planning Association of India (FPAI), a local NGO, in partnership with Urban Health Resource Center (UHRC), started working in the area, the basti dwellers did not realize the importance of cleanliness and hygiene. One member chipped in and told very truthfully that initially even some of the group members were resistant to the idea of hygiene practices taught to them by UHRC and NGO workers. Slowly with persistent efforts and education, the group realized that the unhygienic condition in the basti was one of the major causes for the recurrent illnesses faced by the children residing here.

Once they were convinced there was no looking back. They collected their strength and decided not to give up till the situation was remedied. They started with counseling the basti women to improve the sanitation and hygiene situation in their houses. Some spurned them, some condemned them, some discouraged them, but they stood all the opposition and resistance. Relentlessly they worked towards their target-a clean haven for themselves and their fellow residents.

A rally was organized in the basti to spread awareness. Slogans such as “safai lao, bimari bhagao” were raised at such occasions. The movement spread through the basti like wild fire. More and more women joined the group in its fight against unhygienic conditions in the basti. The pride clearly reflected in the way they narrated the evolution of the movement. There was a glint in their eyes-achievement surely leaves a profound mark on an individual’s personality, a mark which can be seen days, months and years after the day of victory. We could see it. We could sense it.

The women now wash their hands with soap before cooking food and feeding their children. They also wash vegetables and fruits before eating. They initially took it upon themselves to clean their individual lanes. As the group matured and became more powerful, they wrote applications to the Agra Municipal Corporation for acquiring services of a sweeper in the basti. The sweeper now comes regularly to collect trash from the basti and clean drains. All this effort has resulted in a decline in the instance of diarrheal infection in the basti. In the words of one the CBO members, “humari basti mein bacche ab kam bimar padte hain kyunki ab sabhi saaf safai ka dhyan rakhte hain.” (the incidence of illness has declined in the basti since all the people pay attention to cleanliness)

The CBO’s ability to mobilize their community goes beyond cleanliness.  At one point during the past year, water supply in their area was suspended for four continuous days.  The women of the CBO along with basti residents came together and invited the media to cover the protest they had staged against the crisis.  Journalists took pictures of the women burning an effigy and published the women’s ultimatum that if the water supply was not restored a similar protest would be carried out in front of the government offices.  According to a group member, Mrs. Indra Devi, water supply was restored promptly the following day.

This group also has a collective health fund to which they contributed Rs.10 monthly. As the group became more active and received greater recognition in the basti, by mutual understanding they decided to increase the monthly contribution to Rs.25 per month. They use the money of the fund to help people in the basti during times of medical exigencies.

The group members were so keen to narrate their efforts that they spoke one after another, picking up from where the other person paused. This created a little commotion but the enthusiasm was infectious. It had caught all members of the group and was transferred to other members of the basti. We too were infected. The feeling was ecstatic. The power that these women had acquired over time in the basti and the radical change which has been brought by them is worth applauding.