How tribal women led the fight for children’s rights in Khandora

By Vikas Meshram 

Nestled amid the Mangarh Hills of southern Rajasthan lies Khandora, a small tribal village in the Jher Gram Panchayat of Anandpuri block in Banswara district. Home to just 696 people and around 120 families, the village is steeped in indigenous traditions and cultural heritage. Yet for years, a quiet concern united almost every household: Khandora’s children did not have a proper Anganwadi centre.

Since 2004, the village Anganwadi had functioned from a rented private house. The space was cramped, poorly equipped, and ill-suited to the needs of young children. There was little room for play, inadequate seating arrangements, and insufficient facilities for distributing nutritional supplements. Despite these limitations, Anganwadi workers continued their work with dedication. However, the difficult conditions gradually affected attendance, disrupted nutrition programmes, and hindered the holistic development of children.

Over the years, proposals for a permanent Anganwadi building were raised repeatedly at the panchayat level. Each time, the issue was postponed because of budgetary constraints or administrative delays. As years passed, waiting became routine, and hope slowly faded.

The turning point came when the Krishi evam Adivasi Swaraj Sangathan, a community-based organisation nurtured under the guidance of VAAGDHARA, took up the issue. Active across several villages in the tribal belt of Anandpuri, the organisation is guided by the belief that sustainable development must emerge from within the community itself. When members learned about the condition of Khandora’s Anganwadi, they saw it not merely as an infrastructure gap but as a denial of children’s rights to education, nutrition, and care.

Together with the village’s Gram Swaraj Samuh, the organisation initiated a community dialogue. A village meeting brought together men, women, youth, elders, and Anganwadi workers. As residents shared their experiences, a collective realization emerged: the problem belonged to the entire community, and so would the solution.

The meeting concluded with a firm resolution. Rather than waiting indefinitely for government action, the community would formally present its demand through the Gram Sabha. Village leaders and community members, including Mohan Makwana, Dinesh Makwana, Hariram, Ramesh Katara, Ramesh Pargi, Bapulal, Shankarlal Pargi, Vijaypal, Bapulal Pargi, and Champalal, mobilized residents around a common message: this was not simply about constructing a building; it was about securing the future of their children.

A pivotal role was played by Kanta Kamol, a member of the organisation. During the Gram Sabha, she framed the demand not as a request for a facility but as an assertion of children’s fundamental rights. She spoke about the importance of safe and stimulating environments for children's physical and mental development and highlighted the need for dignified spaces where pregnant and nursing women could access essential services. Her arguments resonated deeply. When the proposal was finally put to vote, it received unanimous approval.

Yet securing approval in the Gram Sabha was only the beginning. The proposal had to navigate the complexities of government procedures and administrative processes. Kanta Kamol emerged as a driving force during this phase. She made repeated visits to the block office, followed up with officials, and persistently sought updates on the proposal. She was joined by fellow community members Sharmila, Kalpana, Leela, and Hemlata, whose collective determination ensured that the issue remained alive within the system.

Their persistence eventually paid off. In 2024, formal approval for the construction of a new Anganwadi centre was granted. After nearly two decades of waiting, Khandora’s dream was finally becoming a reality.

Construction began with a sanctioned budget of approximately ₹5.5 lakh. While the funds came from the government, the spirit that shaped the building belonged entirely to the community. Villagers contributed voluntary labour, helped transport construction materials, and monitored the quality of work. Every stage of construction reflected a sense of collective ownership.

As the building gradually took shape, excitement spread through the village. Women spoke about the opportunities the new centre would create for their children. Parents anticipated a safer and more welcoming environment. The project became a source of pride because it represented the outcome of collective action and perseverance.

Within a few months, a spacious and well-equipped Anganwadi building stood ready. The transformation was remarkable. The new centre offered adequate space for learning and play, well-ventilated rooms, proper sanitation facilities, and a safe, child-friendly environment. Parents who had once been reluctant to send their children now did so enthusiastically. Attendance increased significantly.

Today, the centre serves 83 children—47 boys and 36 girls—who regularly benefit from its services. Anganwadi workers, who had spent years operating under difficult conditions, now carry out their responsibilities in a comfortable and dignified setting. Pregnant and nursing mothers also have access to a clean and secure space for health and nutrition services. The building has become much more than a government facility; it is a shared community asset and a nurturing home for the village’s youngest residents.

Reflecting on the journey, Dinesh Makwana, a member of the Krishi evam Adivasi Swaraj Sangathan, says, “Earlier, I doubted whether we could ever persuade the government to act. But when we came together and took the issue to the Gram Sabha, we realized the power of collective action. When a village stands united, doors begin to open.”

For Kanta Kamol, the achievement is deeply personal. “Whenever I saw children crowded into that small room, I felt a sense of pain,” she recalls. “As a mother, I know that children need space, light, and fresh air. There were moments when I felt discouraged, but I kept pursuing the matter until the building was completed. Today, seeing children learn and play in the new centre makes every effort worthwhile.”

Ramesh Pargi, a member of the Gram Swaraj Samuh, believes the experience transformed the community’s confidence. “Earlier, approaching the government felt like a difficult struggle. But when we acted together, we became a force. Officials listened because they saw the strength of our unity.”

For village resident Vijaypal, the Anganwadi stands as a symbol of collective determination. “When the proposal was passed in the Gram Sabha, it felt like a major victory. This building is not merely a structure of bricks and cement; it is proof of what people can achieve when they stand together.”

The story of Khandora also highlights the transformative role of women’s leadership in rural development. Women like Kanta Kamol, who are often excluded from formal decision-making processes, demonstrated how commitment and responsibility can become powerful tools for change. Their leadership challenges conventional assumptions about who can influence governance and shape development outcomes.

The Krishi evam Adivasi Swaraj Sangathan’s approach offers important lessons. Rather than viewing communities as passive recipients of assistance, it treats them as active agents of change. Through regular meetings, capacity-building initiatives, and support in navigating government systems, the organisation enables people to articulate and pursue their own development priorities. Its work extends beyond a single issue, addressing concerns ranging from drinking water and education to healthcare and livelihoods.

The new Anganwadi in Khandora reminds us that development is not measured only by roads, buildings, or large infrastructure projects. It is also reflected in whether children receive nutritious food, whether mothers have access to safe services, and whether frontline workers can perform their duties with dignity. These seemingly modest achievements form the foundation of a healthy and equitable society.

The Anganwadi building is made of brick and cement, but its true strength lies in the collective determination that brought it into existence. Khandora’s experience demonstrates that when community resolve, organisational support, and local governance move in the same direction, even long-standing barriers can be overcome. It is a story of participation, persistence, and the enduring power of people working together to shape their own future.