By Avijit Biswas
Bhagalpur: It is not always easy for a Munger village woman to deviate from her conventional household role and do something different for larger interest of people. However, driven by indomitable urge and courage to work for welfare of mankind, woman in many cases have been treading a different path while successfully performing their household role.
Suman Saha, a native of Bhagalpur district of Bihar is perfect example of such woman who believes in fulfilling her social commitment of nature conservation alongside her household role.
Alike any other next door house wife, for Suman creating awareness among people about need of nature conservation particularly preventing degradation of river Ganga is top priority.
House of her in-laws located close to the banks of river Ganga in Kalyanpur village of Munger district, she could be regularly spotted interacting with people on banks of Ganga about measures that could prevent degradation of the river.
It is her effort of community engagement for prevention of river degradation and overall nature conservation, she is referred as “Ganga Putri (Daughter of River Ganga) in Kalyanpur and other adjoining villages.
A well- educated lady, Suman studied Management in Business and Hospitality in Australia after graduating from Calcutta University. Despite having lucrative carrier opportunities, she preferred to stay at Kalayanpur village and work for nature conservation where family of her in-laws has been staying for longtime.
Suman married to Kishore Jaiswal, a watershed activist, has also been actively involved with NABARD sponsored watershed projects. Her husband had been associated with implementation of number of major watershed projects in Banka and Munger districts in state.
Suman says from her own family as well as family of her in-laws she has picked up habit of doing her bit for larger interest of people. Her husband has been great support in whatever she has been doing for nature conservation in addition to her household role, she added.
Suman said giving shape to her ideas particularly those concerning preventing degradation of Ganga through community engagement gives her immense satisfaction. Apart from efforts of community mobilization for saving Ganga, she is also involved in water conservation efforts besides creating mass awareness about need of sustainable agriculture.
Her field of activities also include educating members of farming community about need of responsible use of pesticides for maintaining ecological balance. As social mobilizer since 2018 Suman has been associated with NABARD sponsored Ulhi Nala and Sugibaran watershed projects respectively in Belhar and Chandan areas of Banka district.
She plans to step up her nature conservation efforts in future. During month of Shrawan beginning from July 22 when people visiting bank of Ganga for fetching holy water of the river increases manifold, she intends to speed up awareness drive about need of preventing degradation of the river Ganga.
- Writer Avijit Biswas, former principal correspondent of Hindustan Times Bhagalpur bureau, can be contacted at biswasavijit@yahoo.comContact number (mobile): +919431095516
Ravichandan Vanchinathan
I salute this woman Suman Saha and her husband Kishore Jaiswal in educating the people in preserving the magnificent river Ganga. When educated women love to takeup employment in cities, the ideal couple chose to deficate their lives in protecting the gifts of nature. I commend their service.
Rajya Brat Singh
Excellent story of gangaputri. Its inspiring as well as motivating. Credit to Mr. Biswas for presenting the story of Gangaputri. Such stories of self less and dedicated concern and effort for Nature & Mankind is need in present context. Looking forward for many more stories of protagonists of Nature & Environment. For Suman Saha i wish her all success in her endeavour of Ganga& environment protection. Hope she will inspire many people and make number people follow in her steps.
Ravichandan Vanchinathan
I salute this woman Suman Saha and her husband Kishore Jaiswal in educating the people in preserving the magnificent river Ganga. When educated women love to takeup employment in cities, the ideal couple chose to dedicate their lives in protecting the gifts of nature. I commend their service.