Raipur. Heera Bai, a Pahadi Korwa woman, recalls the days when she had to walk miles deep into the forest for a single pot of water. The daily struggle for water was so overwhelming that she often cursed her fate as she made her way to a distant stream, collected water, and carried it back to complete essential household chores. Although a paved road was eventually constructed in her village, water remained a distant dream. She would take her little kids to the stream, where, amidst the dangers, she would bathe them. However, her life took a turn for the better when a solar dual pump was installed near her house, providing her with a tap connection right at home. Heera Bai is now immensely happy, saying that with the tap connection, she no longer needs to go to the stream. Fresh water flows directly from the tap at her home, alleviating the daily stress over water.
Heera Bai, who resides in Korai village of Korba block in Korba district, has a large family. For years, they have lived near the forest, relying on stream water for drinking. The installation of a tap near their home, facilitated by a solar dual pump, has brought significant relief to this Pahadi Korwa family. Heera Bai shared that all family members now drink water from the tap at home, which is also used for other daily necessities.
Reflecting on the challenges of the past, Heera Bai explained that life before the installation of the tap was fraught with difficulties, with water being the greatest challenge. From dawn till dusk, she had to make several trips to the streams. During the monsoon season, fetching water became even more arduous, as the streams would overflow, and the water would become contaminated. Heera Bai noted that the installation of the solar pump has not only resolved her problem but has also alleviated the burden for other women in the village, who now have access to clean water through taps without having to run to the stream. She described the tap connections and water supply provided by the Jal Jeevan Mission as a boon for the people residing in remote villages.
