A Life Marked by Humiliation for a Single Pitcher of Water

Chaitra 7, Siraha – At 60 years old, Gangadevi Ram’s feet are not yet weary, but her spirit is deeply distressed. The cause of her distress is the daily humiliation she endures in her quest for water.

Every morning, she sets out early with an empty pitcher cradled in her arms, fearful not only of thirst but of the shame she will face. Gangadevi regularly goes to a nearby brick kiln to fetch water, where she is subjected to indignities.

“Sometimes they don’t allow me to fill the water. Occasionally, when waiting my turn, I am abruptly pushed away from the spot,” Gangadevi shares her ordeal. “At times, my empty containers have been thrown aside.”

Her experience reflects the shared struggle of 50 Dalit families living in Nipane of Golbazar Municipality-5. These families endure daily insults and suffering just to access water.

Despite changes on a national level and government presence in the village, the story remains unchanged for these Dalit women in Nipane who must start each day enduring such humiliation to quench their thirst.

Jugeshwaridevi Ram, another longtime resident of the same settlement, has spent many years living this ordeal. Her hair has turned completely white, yet the disgrace connected with obtaining water persists.

“Earlier, we used to bring water from a borewell in the fields; when the water stopped flowing for days, children had to face discrimination by missing school and work,” Jugeshwari recounts, “The pain caused by the water shortage never left us.”

The residents’ grievances extend beyond the local leaders and have turned into frustration. Since the introduction of multiparty democracy, politicians have promised to bring water during every election campaign, yet clean water has never reached Nipane.

Six months ago, the Golbazar Municipality installed a borewell in the middle of the village, but clean water has yet to flow from it. “The borewell rarely works, and when it does, it only delivers dirty water,” says local resident Ramkumar Mahara.

Kapil Sah, the contractor responsible for the borewell installation, states that the machinery was installed according to plan. “The machine is installed, but due to poor drainage in the village, dirty water might be coming through,” he explains. “We are preparing to send a technical team for repairs. Once drainage improves, the water quality will also get better.”

Bal Krishna Gautam, ward chairperson of Golbazar-5, acknowledges the water issue in Nipane. “We are aware of the problem and that is why we installed the borewell. Some issues have arisen, but they will be addressed,” he stated.

However, such assurances are nothing new for the residents of Nipane, according to locals. “Promised solutions always come, but the problem remains,” says Dalit woman Jugeshwari. “We have endured these hardships all our lives. Now, we hope the next generations at least can have easy access to a single pitcher of water.”

Even in the recent House of Representatives election, candidates came promising water and taps in exchange for votes, she adds. “This time, again, they asked for votes by promising water. It remains to be seen what will happen,” she remarks.

The people of the Dalit settlement in Nipane continue to face daily humiliation and discrimination at the brick kiln borewell while fetching water, highlighting a stark reality for the state. Despite the leaders’ promises of development, the parched thirst of Nipane’s Dalit community remains a pressing concern.