Page 26 - NIS English 01-15 March 2022

Cover Story Women Power

BASANTI DEVI

MADE A RESOLVE TO

SAVE TREES

he Kosi river of Uttarakhand is the source of
Tlivelihood for thousands of people. But due to the Stop Center DNA Analysis
increasing needs over time, when the water started
receding, then the existence of the forests along its 704 Units
banks was also threatened. This was unacceptable for
One-stop center
Basanti Devi who took the initiative to give a new life to operating to help Approval for
the river and create awareness about the importance women victims of establishment
of the environment. She is also fondly called Basanti violence in private, and up-gradation
Behan by the women living in Laxmi Ashram of public, family, of DNA analysis
Kausani. Basanti Behan, who lost her husband at the community or units in 20
age of just 12, never gave up in life. After the death workplace across the States/UTs at a
of her husband, Laxmi Ashram became her abode. country, in which more cost of Rs.
Staying here, she completed her studies till the 12th, than 3 lakh women 190 Crore
then started opening 'Balwadi' ashrams in the whole have received help.
district where she herself taught. Basanti Behan,
who had once suffered the brunt of child marriage, else the river will dry up. She would show newspaper
went from house to house to advocate against the ill cuttings to everyone who was cutting trees. Slowly
effects of child marriage. In 2003, news appeared that but surely, her efforts started bearing fruits. In the year
the Kosi river would dry up in the next 10 years due 2016, Basanti Devi was also awarded the country's
to deforestation, so Basanti Devi took the initiative to highest award for women, Nari Shakti Puraskar. She
save it. She advised everyone to not cut the trees or was awarded the Padma Shri in 2022.

24 New India Samachar March 1-15, 2022