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Madhya Pradesh's Leheri Bai, from the Baiga tribe, has been named India's Millet Ambassador for her work to conserve nearly 150 varieties of millets.
Leheri Bai, a 27 year old woman from the Baiga tribe of Madhya Pradesh, was recently appointed India’s Millet Ambassador. Who is she, and why was she given this honour?
In the heart of Madhya Pradesh, lies the home of the Baiga tribe who follow rather intriguing agricultural practices aimed at the preservation and conservation of Mother Earth. They grow millets, cereals, pulses and oilseeds in the same plot.
Leheri Bai, who hails from the very same tribe, has been lauded nationwide for her ‘seed bank’ which has prevented over 150 millet species from going extinct. How did she do this? She follows a simple principle wherein she provides farmers with 1 kilogram of seeds for which they have to give her 1.5 kilograms back after harvesting. She stores all these seeds in her simple two room house.
From stealing the show at the G20 summit, to becoming India’s Millet Ambassador, she sure has many caps to don at the tender age of 27! She has also inspired over 40 women from her own tribe to follow her footsteps.
Of course, the key aspects of conservation and preservation are important. However, I feel like there is another viewpoint which is pertinent considering years of institutionalised marginalization.
Leheri Bai not only managed to carve a niche for herself, but also simultaneously fostered an environment which allowed other women in her community to grow with her. There is no denying that resources and material support are integral to the development of women from marginalised communities. However, when women like Leheri Bai take initiatives and break barriers, it instils a sense of courage and belonging in other such women, making their dreams seem more tangible to them. Women, especially those coming from marginalised backgrounds, are always given boundaries within which they are expected to colour.
I am sure all of us (I’m speaking for my generation here) have the memory of reading about Kalpana Chawla as pre-teens and then thinking that we could also make it to space. Personally, Kalpana Chawla being both Indian and female, made me feel more empowered as a kid than any other white, cis, male astronaut ever did. This is because humans innately crave relatability. The ‘you can’t be what you can’t see’ ideology is deeply rooted in most of us, making somewhat relatable role models essential.
Women from marginalised communities who make it, do not just serve as inspiration. They also play a pivotal role in drawing the government’s attention towards the needs of the people of their community, which in turn results in overall development. The fame they garner also makes their community garner fame, thus resulting in the bridging of certain societal gaps. For instance, if a woman from a tribal community makes it, society’s overall perception of tribal people would change for the better resulting in the establishment of a more egalitarian environment.
With a good chunk of our population still living below the poverty line and caste-based discrimination being a reality in many places, upliftment of the downtrodden is required for the overall development of our country. However, for this upliftment to actually happen, more women like Leheri Bai must take the spotlight. It is only through continually motivating and inspiring other women from weaker sections of society that a positive sea change can be brought about.
Images source: YouTube
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