Ranchi: A 14-year-old tribal girl, Surajmuni Hembrom, led an anti-alcohol campaign from Mahatodharan village in Ghaskaridih panchayat, about 70 km from the Giridih district headquarters, and the drive now reached across more than 30 villages in Giridih and Koderma districts.Hembrom, a Class 9 student and mukhiya of the Bal Panchayat in her village, began the campaign after she witnessed the impact of alcohol abuse at her home and in her village. She said alcoholism led to domestic violence and financial distress, resulting in serious issues, including children dropping out of school. Hembrom said she had to leave a private school because her father, a daily wage earner, spent much of his earnings on alcohol.
“My father is a daily wage earner. I had to drop out because he spent all his money on alcohol. My younger sisters also suffered. That is when I decided I had to do something. My fight started from home,” she said.After sustained protests and even threatening to leave the house, she persuaded her father to give up drinking. She then studied at the local govt school.Mahatodharan in Deori block was one of the Bal Mitra Grams, a model developed by the Kailash Satyarthi Children’s Foundation (KSCF) to ensure every child in a village was free, safe and in school, and to give children a voice in local governance through elected Bal Panchayats. In Mahatodharan, Hembrom held the leadership role.Recognising that the issue affected nearly every household, Hembrom raised the matter in the Bal Panchayat. Under her leadership, children organised meetings with women and youth groups to discuss the social and economic consequences of alcohol abuse.The initiative gained momentum with rallies, slogans and wall paintings carrying awareness messages. Bal Panchayat members met govt officials to highlight concerns over illegal liquor brewing and submitted written complaints, demanding action.“The police and district administration helped remove illegal breweries. Some villagers also broke down illegal units. As breweries reduced, so did drinking,” Hembrom said.Shanti Kisku, the Mukhiya of Ghaskaridih panchayat, praised Hembrom’s efforts and said, “Initially, when she reached out, I did not take her very seriously, thinking how can a little girl change an age-old practice. But after listening to her in a few meetings, I realised that she is determined and is actually bringing a change in the mindset of the villagers. This is when I supported her, and today, I am proud to say that my village is free from illegal breweries.”Encouraged by the response in her village, Hembrom and other Bal Panchayat members decided to expand the effort beyond Mahatodharan.“Surajmuni wanted to take this fight to neighbouring villages. Our team supported her, and a de-addiction campaign on wheels was launched around a month ago,” said Rakesh Senger, the executive director of KSCF.Led by Hembrom and supported by Bal Panchayat members, the campaign travelled across more than 30 villages in Giridih and Koderma districts, spreading awareness through street plays and community meetings.Alongside the anti-alcohol drive, Hembrom used the Bal Panchayat platform to promote education and child protection. She helped enrol 12 children in school and regularised the attendance of 20 others, prevented seven children from being trafficked and stopped one child marriage in her village.
