This is a story of courage, determination, and endless hope.
Maharashtra’s Jyoti Deshmukh, who lives in a remote village in Akola, lost her husband, father-in-law, and brother-in-law to suicide. All three were farmers and farmed in a 29-acre land to support the family. It was due to the lockdown and it’s financial repercussions that the 3 male members of her family died by suicide.
According to a report by BBC, after their death, the remaining members of her family and society tried to convince her to sell off the land. However, Jyoti didn’t lose hope. She wanted to support her family. Therefore, she decided to farm the land herself.
During the initial days, Jyoti asked other villagers who have a tractor to help her with farming but nobody showed up. It was then when she made up her mind to buy a tractor herself and that’s what she did! She also went on to renovate her house.
“I was told that a woman can’t do farming and I shouldn’t do farming either. People urged me to sell the land and stay at home. I was told that women of the Deshmukh household don’t do farming. I was made fun of and had to hear several other things. But I never paid attention to their words.”
Jyoti learned about farming herself, without anyone’s help, and proved that a woman can pursue farming wonderfully. She now urges women in her village to do things that they like and not pay attention to what society has to say.
“No matter what we do, how we live, society will always have something awful to say. It’s best to not pay attention to them and focus on our work, our principles instead,” Jyoti said.
She went on to express how farming has taught her to become fearless. She says how previously, she was afraid of everyone but after working in the field, she isn’t afraid of anyone.
Have a look at Jyoti’s interview here:
ज्योति के पति, ससुर और देवर ने आत्महत्या कर ली. लेकिन ज्योति ने हिम्मत नहीं हारी और अकेले दम पर खेती कर अपने परिवार को संभाला.
रिपोर्टः श्रीकांत बांगले
कैमराः गणेश वासलकर
वीडियो एडिटः राहुल रणसुबे pic.twitter.com/oo5gHwlxut— BBC News Hindi (@BBCHindi) September 4, 2020
Jyoti Deshmukh’s story is an inspiration for millions of women whom society tries to control. May she remains relentless in her future pursuits. Salute to her!