In contemporary life, the importance of roads is undeniable, especially in a country like India, where they play a pivotal role in transportation. As of December 31, 2022, India boasts a vast network of over 6,331,791 kilometres of roads, ranking as the second-largest road network globally, right after the USA. This expansive network is steadily expanding, particularly in rural areas. However, envision a scenario where this wasn’t the case. What if even getting to the market was a challenging journey through sun-baked lanes of dirt, kicking up piles of dust with every step?
Well, that is the reality countless village women in India have faced for generations. For ages they have been tethered to the confines of their villages, their days measured in steps across parched earth. Reaching the market meant battling the unforgiving sun, the wind whipping dust into their eyes as they balanced fragile baskets on their heads. Schools, healthcare clinics, even a simple trip to a relative’s – all distant mirages shimmering on the horizon. It was a life circumscribed by time, by the tyranny of distance, where every step felt like an uphill climb. Even going to the nearest town felt like climbing Mount Everest in flip-flops.
Fortunately, change is gradually unfolding. The magic of connectivity is changing the landscape, not with McGonagall’s transfiguration spells or Snape’s polyjuice potion, but with asphalt and concrete! Village roads are getting wider, and smoother; and suddenly, that distant market or the city is just a quick zip down the road. Education and healthcare are no longer a privilege reserved only for a few. This is the new reality for countless women in rural India, where dusty tracks are giving way to dream highways, and lives are being rewritten with every mile of concrete laid.
Imagine fresh morning milk, still warm from the udder, no longer lost in the hands of middlemen. These paved paths empower women to reach city dairies themselves, securing fairer prices and a deeper connection with their customers. The same goes for the fruits of their creative hands – intricate baskets, vibrant tapestries, or delicate clay pots. Online marketplaces, once mere whispers on the wind, are now accessible realities, their digital doors thrown open by the hum of engines on the new roads.
Healthcare, too, sheds its cloak of inaccessibility. Gone are the days of relying solely on male gynaecologists in distant towns. The smooth hum of ambulances gliding down the roads brings a sense of security, a lifeline in times of need. Pregnant women, their precious burdens cradled with newfound ease, can reach birthing centres with swiftness and peace of mind. Moreover, improved connectivity brings a wider range of healthcare options, allowing women to choose their doctors with a newfound sense of agency and dignity.
And for the daughters of these villages, education is no longer a privilege reserved for the few who can brave the long, tiring journey to school. The rumble of bicycles on the new roads replaces the lonely echo of bare feet on dusty tracks. Girls, their backpacks bursting with notebooks and dreams, pedal towards classrooms, their laughter mingling with the wind. Education, once a distant shimmer, has become a reality.
But the true magic of these roads lies not just in the tangible benefits they bring. They are arteries of connection, weaving women into the fabric of their communities. Their voices, once muted by distance, now resonate in village meetings, their ideas shaping the future of their land. They are no longer bystanders, watching life unfold from the sidelines. They are active participants, driving themselves and their communities towards a brighter future.
Imagine a time in rural India, circa 1940s, where villages were like islands, separated by unpaved tracks and monsoon puddles. Farmers, often women, toiled to produce milk, but its journey to markets was filled with challenges. Spoilage due to long, bumpy rides, exploitation by middlemen, and limited access to fair prices were the harsh realities. Then came the winds of change, carrying with them the promise of better roads. The Bombay Government, under the leadership of Verghese Kurien, a visionary dairy scientist, understood the critical link between infrastructure and rural development. They embarked on an ambitious road construction project, connecting villages to processing centres and urban markets. The coming days saw not only faster transportation and reduced spoilage of milk but also the formation of milk cooperatives. These paved paths gave our rural women a future filled with hope, they transformed India from a milk deficient country to the world’s largest milk producer, and most importantly, they gave us our own utterly butterly delicious dairy brand. The story of AMUL, the Indian dairy cooperative giant, is not just about milk and butter. It’s a saga of rural empowerment, fueled by a crucial ingredient – roads.
Despite persistent challenges rooted in old customs and unequal opportunities, these well-constructed roads are a significant stride forward, a testament to the indomitable spirit of women who refuse to be defined by dust and distance. With the right support, with skill-building programs that equip them to navigate the new economic landscape, these women will soar. They will become entrepreneurs, educators, healthcare providers, artists, and leaders – their talents flourishing like wildflowers along the concrete edges.
So, the next time you see a picture of a winding village road in India, don’t just see dirt and rocks. See the seeds of change, the whispers of freedom, the stories of women driving their own futures, one well-paved mile at a time. Let’s celebrate their journey, pave the way, and witness their soaring accomplishments.