In the remote village of Boro, nestled in the forested lands of Dharamjaigarh in Chhattisgarh, two women have quietly shown how one can survive and be resilient in the face of odds. Hiramoti Baiga and Sanero Baiga, tribal women from the vulnerable Baiga Community, have turned goat-rearing into a lifeline, providing for their families and inspiring other women in their community. Purusottam Singh Thakur tells us their story – of facing challenges with grit and finding strength in each other
Hiramoti Baiga’s eyes light up with pride as she recounts how her herd of goats has grown from 14 to 20. “Earlier, they would often fall sick but now that they’re vaccinated, they stay healthy,” she explains, referring to the once-mysterious “needle” that prevents illness. She smiles, a testament to how her life and knowledge have evolved. Previously, if a goat fell ill, she would turn to traditional herbs from the forest. Today, with support from a local organisation, her goats receive regular vaccinations that shield them from disease — and allow her family to rely on the herd for stability.
For Sanero Baiga, goat-rearing has been both a necessity and a source of pride. Her husband passed away 12 years ago, leaving her to manage the household alone. “Sometimes people ask why I don’t go for daily-wage work anymore,” she says with a chuckle, “and I tell them ‘I sell a goat when I need the money.’” Goat-rearing has allowed her to stay close to her family and community while also meeting their needs.
that shield them from disease.
For Hiramoti and Sanero, every day brings its challenges. Water is scarce, and cultivating their small piece of land requires ingenuity. “We and a few other farmers built a small dam to direct stream water into our fields,” Hiramoti shares. Here, two crops mean survival: they keep the best rice crop for their family and sell the second. Even their favorite rice, Jethi, grown from the first crop, is kept only for family meals.
Their neighbours, and even the children, often pitch in. Hiramoti’s son, Sanjay, may have studied only up to the eighth grade, but he helps whenever he can. Likewise, Sanero’s eldest son works in the fields and tends the animals, while her younger son has migrated to Tamil Nadu to work, sending money back home every few months. For both women, the commitment to their land and livestock is unwavering.
also meeting their needs.
Every day, the women walk together into the forests with their goats, letting them graze. The goats split into groups, exploring as they feed, but all it takes is a special sound, like a melody from the women’s leaf whistles, and they come running back, ready to return home. Their companionship has created an unspoken support network among women in the village. When Sanero lost a few goats to disease several years back, Hiramoti was there to encourage her. Now, with vaccinations in place, such losses are rare. It was a leap of faith, especially when Sanero initially worried that her goats would suffer from the vaccination. But over time, she saw the results: a healthier, more resilient herd.
Hiramoti and Sanero’s success hasn’t gone unnoticed – more than 60 families in Boro now engage in goat rearing, many inspired by their example. In their village, goats have become like a bank account. Need money for a wedding? Sell a goat. Need to fix a roof? Sell a goat. For women who previously had little control over their financial lives, this is empowerment in its purest form. Their goats have grown into a symbol of resilience and survival, a reminder of the value of self-reliance in times of need. As Hiramoti puts it, “When you tend to your goats, they give you much more than milk or kids. They give you the confidence that no matter what, you’ll manage.”
The story of Hiramoti, Sanero and their goats isn’t just about livestock. It’s about how two women, with courage and determination, have changed the lives of an entire village. Their journey speaks about the power of a community, the wisdom of tradition, and the simple strength taken to get up each day and work towards a better life. For the women of Boro, goat-rearing has become more than just a means of survival. It’s a path to independence and an inspiration to those around them, proving that with dedication and resilience even the simplest of beginnings can lead to extraordinary change.
(The writer is a freelance journalist based in Dhamtari, Chhattisgarh.)
from Webdoux