Swachh baat ban gayi

Sixteen-year-old Mallamma Bagalapur didn’t envisage that her one strong act of protest would garner national attention. Never in her wildest dreams did this Class 10 student, of a government school in Danapur village in Koppal district, Karnataka, think that her life would change instantly. It’s not everyday that a young girl is singled out for attention thanks to the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi.

Mallamma, in all her innocence, had gone on a hunger strike, in order to get a toilet installed in her house last month. She was frustrated and angry. “Since birth, I have not seen a toilet in my house. We go to the village outskirts or open places outside for defecation. I was embarrassed to go to the village outskirts, and relieve myself by carrying a small mug of water every day. The plight of a cousin sister who delivered a baby few months ago, and had to leave her baby behind to go far away to relieve herself upset me. Meanwhile everyday, teachers in school were highlighting the importance of sanitation. But the economic condition of my family was not strong enough to construct a toilet of our own. So, I decided to go on a three-day hunger strike to attract the attention of the government for a toilet,” she confessed.

The brave girl did not mention her decision to fast to her family. She survived on water for three days, and even attended school. “No, I was not afraid of falling ill. Initially, I did not tell them that I was on a hunger strike — I just stopped eating at home and school. Later, my family came to know that I am fasting for a toilet, and soon the news of my hunger strike spread through the village,” she says.

Her persistence and the spirited manner with which she fought to get a toilet, reached the village head Mohammed Shafi’s ears. “He visited my home along with CEO Ramachandran and asked me to stop my hunger strike, and promised me that a toilet would be built within a week. Indeed, a toilet was built within six days of their visit,” she recollects. Shafi arranged for '18,000 and got the toilet constructed, since Mallamma’s family did not have the funds for it.

This little act of sacrifice, and prompt action by the village head, was hailed by people across the country. Naturally, the prime minister also heard about this incident and Mr Modi hailed Mallamma and the village head Shafi in his ‘Mann ki Baat’ show that was aired on radio and television. He had said: “In Karnataka’s Koppal District, a 16-year-old resorted to hunger strike for a toilet in her house. As the family was facing financial constraints, Gram Panchayat president Mohammed Shafi extended an incentive to her, and got a toilet constructed. See how the girl and Mr Shafi have found a solution to the problem.” Describing the episode as an example of people’s power (Janashakti), Modi appealed to the people of the country to keep giving strength to his call for Swachh Bharat.

Mallamma was soon designated as the poster girl for Modi’s Swachh Bharat campaign. But the young lady was blissfully unaware about the impact she had made in India. “Actually, I did not watch ‘Mann ki baat’ when it was aired on Sunday. But, later my brother showed me an audio clip. I was thrilled and proud that the Prime Minister took my name, and also of my village and district in his speech,” says the simpleton. When prodded if she would like to meet the PM, she shyly admitted, “I would like to meet him if I get a chance. I would like to request him to ensure toilets for girls in all government high schools in rural areas across the country, and make India open-defecation free.”

Mallamma comes from very humble origins. Her father, Chandrashekharappa is a farmer and mother Sanna Ningamma works as a labourer to make ends meet. The couple has four children, and Mallamma is the third child. Her eldest brother is a BCom student and her older sister is married. Her younger brother is a class seven student. They live in a nine-member joint family which also includes her father’s elder brother’s family.

Not surprisingly, the girl is now being seen as a crusader for sanitation. “Sanitation and hygiene’ should be the mantra of every Gram Panchayat. The village governing body must provide resources for creating awareness on sanitation and education of the girl child,” says an emboldened Mallamma who dreams of becoming a school teacher someday. “I want to study further and pursue Arts after Class 10 and later teach,” she says. Tell her that she has now become famous in India and she modestly responds. “I don’t think that I am famous. But, I am committed to campaigning for sanitation among young girls and women in rural areas. That’s what makes me happy,” she ends with conviction.