Life and Death for a Few Liters of Water
Amidst claims of India's progress in the 21st century, a disturbing reality has emerged from Choba village in the Mandla district. Here, residents, including women and the youth, are gambling with their lives daily for just a few liters of drinking water. Their day doesn't begin with tea, but with descending into a dark, perilous well. A slight misstep means certain death.
A Night of Struggle for Water
The Kotwar and Mukadam Tola communities of Choba village are unable to sleep soundly, engaged in a constant battle for water. While the rest of the world sleeps peacefully, the elderly and children here line up by the mouth of the well. In the dead of night, between 2 and 3 AM, the clinking of utensils and the whimpers for water can be heard. Villagers wait patiently for a small amount of water to seep through the stones, which they collect in small containers to quench their thirst.
Dry Handpumps and Administrative Neglect
The water crisis in the village is acute. Although there are about half a dozen wells and handpumps in the village, all have run dry. Villagers report that they have submitted applications multiple times during public hearings about their problem, but no action has been taken yet. It is ironic that crores of rupees have been spent like water in the district under the 'Jal Jeevan Mission'. Officials offer the same rehearsed response every time, stating that efforts are being made. However, the question arises: amidst this snail's pace of the administration, who will be responsible if a villager slips and loses their life? Is the administration waiting for a major accident or a death to occur?
This reality in Choba village raises a significant question mark on the system. The villagers are still waiting for the day when they can access safe drinking water without risking their lives.
