Padma Shri awardee Sudha Varghese, a symbol of love, courage, and compassion, opens doors of acceptance for society's marginalized. With boundless love, she weaves understanding, transcending barriers. Courage fuels her pursuit of justice, while compassion, a soothing balm, uplifts the overlooked. Sudha's story is a radiant beacon, transforming society's fringes into a realm of honor and shared humanity. Through selfless endeavors, she paints a beautiful portrait of acceptance, resonating with thousands.
“Even in the face of a threat, I don’t show my fear. This tactic has worked well for me through the years,” - Sudha Varghese
For over three decades, Sudha Varghese has dedicated her life to uplifting the Musahar community in Bihar, embarking on a transformative journey that began in the early 1960s when she was just a teenager. Intrigued by a magazine depicting the deplorable conditions of the Musahars, a Bihar community derogatorily labeled as "rat eaters". Sudha, hailing from Kerala, felt compelled to address their extreme socio-backwardness.
In 1965, after acquiring language skills during her tenure at Patna's Notre Dame Academy, Sudha made the pivotal decision to relocate to Bihar and serve the impoverished. Her commitment deepened in 1986 when she abandoned her comfortable life, settling in a village to live among the Musahars. Enduring the challenges of a dilapidated hut and monsoon rains, Sudha's resolve remained unyielding, driven by her mission to ameliorate their circumstances.
Living amidst the Musahars unveiled the harsh realities of not only poverty but also deep-rooted casteism. Sudha recognized that her battle extended beyond economic hardship to confront centuries-old discriminatory practices. Musahars, marginalized in every facet of life, lacked access to education, faced landlessness, and toiled on farms for meager wages. Furthermore, women and girls within the community endured the scourge of crimes such as rape and sexual harassment.
In 1987, Sudha Varghese forged a legacy of empowerment by establishing Nari Gunjan (women's voice), an organization dedicated to championing the cause of women from socially marginalized communities.
This pivotal initiative aimed to embolden thousands of women in their courageous struggle against entrenched injustices.
Sudha vividly recounts a distressing incident when she visited a police station to report a case of rape in the village. The callous response from a police officer cut deep: "Who would rape a girl wearing such filthy clothes?". The grim reality revealed a climate of fear, where seeking justice meant subjecting oneself to potential mistreatment. Sudha reflects on the prevalent apprehension, stating, "Everyone feared going to the police station. They said the cops would severely beat them."
Nari Gunjan emerged as a beacon for those trapped in the shadows of societal neglect, providing not only a platform for voicing grievances but also a sanctuary where the disempowered found strength. Sudha's advocacy transcended the confines of conventional norms, challenging systemic prejudices ingrained in law enforcement. Through Nari Gunjan, she became the unwavering voice amplifying the narratives of those relegated to silence, offering solace and support to women navigating the tumultuous journey towards justice and equality. In founding Nari Gunjan, Sudha Varghese not only created an organization but also fostered a movement that continues to resonate with the echoes of resilience and defiance against an unjust status quo.
‘Sirf hungama khada karna mera maqsad nahi, meri koshish hai ki ye surat badalni chahiye’
-It is not my intention to merely create a ruckus, my purpose is to bring about a change and the situation must change.
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