AHERI, ALAPALLI: Members of the‘Tanishka Foundation for Women’s Dignity’ from this tribal area havewon accolades for stopping the liquor sale in the Chinchgundivillage, through their collective drive.

In spite of the official liquor ban,this remote village was witness to open liquor sales until a few daysback, by a beer bar. The police actions did result in checking theliquor sale, but only to some extent. It led to unauthorized andclandestine liquor brewing activities. The shrewd brewers shiftedtheir illegal liquor brewing base to the banks of the Pranhita riveron the border of Andhra Pradesh, and brought it to the village forsale. The liquor consumption had its ill-effects on villagers,especially youngsters. Their family life was shattered. Severalfamilies were ruined.

The ‘Tanishka Foundation for Women’sDignity’ was set up in the village on the auspicious day of GudhiPadwa. The energetic members, led by Forum chief SushilabaiKasturvar, decided to take up the issue and raised their voiceagainst the liquor sale. After receiving a tip about the brewedliquor being brought to the village from the river bank, all the‘Tanishka’ members got together, and blocked the liquor sellers’way. The liquor sellers literally fled the spot, seeing the furiouswomen.

Enthused by the success of theiranti-liquor action, women activists are now rearing to move forwardand fight against several other social ills that plague the villageand the nearby tribal and Naxal areas.
Along with Sushilabai, the driveagainst the liquor sale was also led by Sugandha Paney, BheembaiPaney, Vatsala Ranpakalvar and Laxmi Madamvar.