Chhayabati Dunguri was out for work when I reached her home along with Mr. Manoj, the Branch Manager of Mahashakti Foundation at M.Rampur. After a few minutes of our wait, she reached her home riding a bicycle. She plays a dual role. She works as a savings collection agent at Bijainee Co-Operative Society and as a Village Champion at Niramaya Health Care. Curious about her second job, I enquired about what she does as a village champion. She came up with a long list of tasks which include, inter alia, advising the general public on common diseases, first aid, sanitation, providing timely care to the pregnant women and escorting patients to a nearby health centre. Taking a deep breath, I said to myself: She really is a 'Champion' to serve the society better.
Her husband is a driver, and the couple has three children. She wakes up at 5 am and starts her day with various household activities. She starts to prepare food- both breakfast and lunch- at 6 am and concludes by 8 am. She then leaves her home for work at 8:30 am and works till 6 pm with a recess from 1 pm to 3 pm. After returning back from work, she resumes her role as a home maker after relaxing for about an hour. She starts to prepare dinner for her family by 7 pm. When I asked if the cook stove made any difference in her life besides ensuring a clean air for her to breathe and economic advantage, she replied with a big wide grin: “I cook food faster and without much effort using the new cook stove. It used to be a daunting task while using the old cook stove and very often I used to be late for work. I’m on time for work now. Also, I get plenty of rest in the morning and in the evening; I’m more efficient at work now a day”.