Agent of Change

Exposed to the challenges that rural women face, women's rights activist SUNANDA PAWAR was compelled to work towards creating a better society for them, finds Shraddha Kamdar

- Shraddha Kamdar

Among rural circles in Maharashtra, one name that is popular with women is that of Sunandatai Pawar. A philanthropist and women's rights activist who has been working for over two decades to uplift rural communities, she continues to work towards creating employment opportunities, apart from taking up other causes.

Her role as the secretary for the Agricultural Development Trust in Baramati, Maharashtra, exposed her to the challenges faced by close to 40 drought-affected villages. "Witnessing the suffering of both people and animals motivated me to initiate efforts in water conservation," she recalls. "With my son's support, I successfully extended the initiative to benefit about 90 villages, eliminating the need for water tankers."