Sushmita Mondal – A Struggler and Motivator for many Women in Sagar Island

Gender discrimination still exists and power still lies with the male members in various sections of the society although it has decreased in some parts of the country. When we think of developing a community, we cannot simply progress with educating and involving men. Women empowerment is the basic need for the development of a community as she plays vast role in the life of her children who are the future of a community.

Sushmita Mondal is one such woman from Sundarban’s coastal fishing community, who is playing a great role in the development of her community. In fact, she is the force behind the progress of several women of her community. But, her journey to become an inspirational figure was not so easy and she had to fight a lot of odds and oppositions before reaching this position. 

Sushmita Mondal

Sushmita was only 16 year old when she was married to a landless daily labour. At this tender age, she started her conjugal life at Radhakrishnapur village of Rudranagar Gram Panchayat in Sagar Island (Sundarban, West Bengal).

Belonging to a scheduled caste coastal fishing community, Sushmita’s father had 7 children, of which she was the youngest. Her father was not interested in educating her as she had older brothers who were supposed to get preference being the heir of the family. However, with support from her mother, the adamant girl completed her studies till class X. Unlike her other siblings, Sushmita was very intelligent and committed to her studies so her father also had to support her finally. But, her dream of higher studies was broken when her family got her married just after her matriculation.

Sushmita with her family members

Here, at her in-law’s place, another struggle was waiting to welcome Sushmita as her father-in-law married another young woman. Thus, her mother-in-law was left aside heartbroken and was losing interest in life. At this time, Sushmita became a strong support to her by motivating her mother-in-law and gave her a new lease of life. Her husband along with his brother separated from her father-in-law’s new family. Now, the challenge was to run the family without any support from her father-in-law. Her husband used to earn a very small amount as daily labourer and from fishing. It was tough for the family to survive as she gave birth to a daughter during this period.

In 2011, SEED (Society for Socio Economic and Ecological Development) initiated various developmental works in Rudranagar GP area in association with the local Gram Panchayat. So, the GP members thought to involve Sushmita in this progressive work since she was educated and needed work to support her family. She was introduced to SEED workers and she started attending various group meetings. After few meetings, she realised that her work interest lies in serving people and SEED can give her the platform. So, she became an active member of the organisation and started contributing in several developmental works.

She has played active role in forming women Self Help groups in Rudrangar GP and encouraged other women in handicraft work, entrepreneurship development etc. She formed the SHG group named ‘Radhekrishna’ in Radhakrishnapur village and generated corpus fund under ICZMP (Integrated Coastal Zone Management Programme) West Bengal.  SEED sent Sushmita to Hyderabad to attend a National conference on community based approaches for inclusive growth (microfinance, livelihood promotion and social agenda) as a delegate from West Bengal. This visit gave her an opportunity to interact with people of different fields and she could thoroughly understand the importance of ICZM project. This exposure made her more confident and enriched her knowledge base in the development field.

Sushmita with other SHG leaders

In Rudranagar GP area, there is a small section of Lodha community who are still far away from the other communities in terms of development. Initially, like other members of her community, Sushmita was also hesitating and was afraid to mix up with the Lodha community people, who were considered untouchables. Gradually, she overcame this fear and started mixing with them like any other member of her village. But Lodhas could not accept her easily. She was abused and sometimes physically tortured also when she tried to mingle with the women of their community. Her own community people shooed her away for this and criticised her. But, she was determined to work for the betterment of the Lodhas so finally others had to give in. Even her family members were against her work but now they are proud of Sushmita. 

Sushmita with Lodha women and kids

With the support from SEED and local Gram panchayat, she has been able to make them understand values of education, healthy food and safe drinking water. Lodhas have also accepted her as their well-wisher and the tribal women have become her friends for life. Now, they co-operate with her in all developmental works like sending their children to the non-formal school set up by SEED. She has also managed to bring the adult women in various livelihood training programmes organised by the organisation.

Now, along with her family members, the whole Gram Panchayat members and villagers feel proud of her. With all these responsibilities in her shoulders, Sushmita is also devoting good time to her family and her five year old daughter, who studies in class 1. She wants her daughter to become well educated women in future, who can take forward her good works in more efficient way.