Representatives of over 300 women self help groups located in and around Gandhigram have decided to intensify the anti-liquor campaign and have pledged to make at least one village liquor free zone.
To begin with, the representatives along with other members of SHGs will interact with youth, farmers, workers and elders in villages around Gandhigram panchayat and spread the message regarding the ill effects of liquor. They will also meet students in school and colleges and inspire them to take an oath against liquor.
Addressing the SHGs meet in this connection at the Gandhigram Trust campus at Gandhigram near here on Sunday, organiser of People’s Federation Against Liquor and Gandhian Sasi Perumal said that that role of rural women in eradicating liquor was vital.
First, women should bring about a change in the minds of the male members in their family and then in their neighbours. A small effort taken by women in each family will certainly snowball into a great movement and ultimately create a strong and healthy society, he advised. “What we need is a will and a determination to stop this evil and create a change in society,” he added.
Liquor was the root cause for all crimes in the society and it also played a major role in the atrocities against women in public places. Above all, it has been destroying vital human resources, one of the major assets of the nation, he said and added that his relentless fight against this evil (liquor) will resume shortly in a different way.
Addressing the gathering, Gandhigram Trust trustee M.R. Rajagopal said that women members of 1,500 SHGs, comprising 30,000 members under its control will spearhead the campaign against liquor at villages within their work area.
Trust Secretary K. Siva Kumar said that campaign among workers and staff of the Trust and its sister organisations will also take place simultaneously.
Representatives of SHGs from Nilakottai, Athoor, Kodaikanal, Andipatti and Gandhigram participated.
