She Dares, a journey that starts far away

By Jitendra Pratap Singh Bhati, Founder of PANS

11 Jun 2021

A place where each individual can avail equal opportunity

I as an individual from Indian village community believe that a socially sustainable society in true sense is where each individual can avail equal opportunity in every aspect of life. There is a pertaining disparity among various social aspects in the Indian village communities such as gender inequality and caste discrimination which has led to uneven distribution of power and money within the community.

I believe families that are socially empowered and self-reliant comprise to a prosperous and sustainable society.

Heritage leads towards new horizons

I hail from village Ramsar Palawala and before independence my ancestors were rulers of this village. My great Grandfather came to Jaipur and established this village 150 years ago. He helped farmers to establish lands and have sustainable farming income sufficient enough to pay taxes and to maintain their households. I am the 5th generation of this family.

Due to depletion of groundwater levels, scarcity of rain etc. the farming community have almost stopped farming and started alternative businesses/jobs. There was a river that used to flow in this region 40 years ago and now it had dried up. Many farmers have sold their agricultural lands and even worse that today they are left with no money.

When my father saw this condition of the village he asked me to initiate something for the village’s welfare. He told me that under PANS "You are transforming different places of Rajasthan, why not your village?" This triggered my conscience and then I started looking for CSR opportunity.
Being an engineering graduate I could have chosen a 9 to 5 job in an IT company but instead, I have chosen to make the difference. I understand my responsibility as a villager and the expectations which my people have from me.

My interest in the social sector and decision to continuously contribute is the outcome of my profound inclination towards sustainable development. Right after my engineering, within one year I chose social work as my career because I think the youth of India has a bigger role to play in national development. I believe that youth should come forward to take up leadership roles for social causes and create new initiatives because their contribution and active participation will make India and eventually the world a better place to live in

She Dares comes into a picture

I got in touch with Mr. Mahendra Tripathi, country head Lamberti India. We discussed social sustainability in the Indian villages and concluded to initiate a village welfare project, hence She Dares came into the picture.

Going one step ahead, we thought not only about the farmers but the women of the village.
The women had a larger role in the development of the village which was never showcased and they were always considered underdogs. She Dares focuses on women empowerment of the farming community. To bestow them with the required knowledge and status in the family/society through skill development and self-employment opportunities.

This project “She Dares” is a tribute to my great Grandfather Thakur Jivraj Singh Palawala (original grantee of the village by Jaipur Estate) and my beloved villagers.

Encounters that light the way

In 2013, I was working in an IT company. During a business visit, I got an opportunity to meet Mr. Tarif Singh who runs an NGO Bhai Mani Singh Sewa Society in Alwar, Rajasthan.

I vividly remember his visit to our office for donations to start free school for underprivileged kids.
Hailing from a Sikh family, Tarif Singh himself was from a very humble background and could barely meet ends but he was still passionate to make a difference in the lives of children.
Eventually, he started his first school in 2014 and he never looked back thereafter.

My journey as a social change maker started after looking at this selfless man who has to date transformed many lives and still lives a humble life. He still inspires me.

The smile of Kusumlata

We have started a skill development center in Rajsamand, Rajasthan in the year 2018. Our first F and B service-steward batch was mobilized by the community mobilizer. She brought a request for the admission of 8 girls and 19 boys of marginalized families to our institution.

The mobilizer faced resistance in the village as the villagers didn't want to send their girls to hotels and weren't welcoming the idea of them becoming stewards in restaurants as it is a taboo in villages.

There was a girl named Kusumlata Rawat who lost her father at a very young age and has been raised by a single mother. I talked to her and assured her that she will get a lucrative job in a reputed hotel.

Kusumlata along with 7 other girls completed the 3 months training and when it was time for placement, villagers again opposed but I stood firm with the girls(they were willing to do the job) as I could see potential in those girls, which their parents couldn't.

Today, all of them are doing jobs and especially Kusumlata is earning 13,000 INR per month and supporting her widow mother. The smile of Kusumlata and others boys and girls like her drives me and reminds me to continue doing what I am doing.