“Where there is a will there is a way” – this saying fits Neeru Yadav perfectly.
When after every function there was a pile of plastic bags and disposable utensils in the village, Neeru Yadav was upset. One day she decided to do something that would not only clean the village but also enable the future generations to live in a better environment.
This is where the unique initiative of “Utensil Bank” was born.
No government funding, no big plans. Just a strong thought and determination for change. Neeru brought the women of the village together, bought steel utensils at her own expense and started providing this facility to the villagers – absolutely free of cost.
People noticed that when steel utensils started being used instead of disposable plastic in weddings or any other functions, not only cleanliness was maintained but the environment also got some relief.
Change started from one village and spread throughout the state
Neeru Yadav’s initiative gradually started getting discussed. Today this utensils bank has become a model across Rajasthan. The government adopted it and now the process of opening utensils bank has been started in every panchayat of the state.
One thing is clear from Neeru Yadav’s thinking – to bring about change, intentions are needed more than resources.
“Hockey wali Sarpanch”- a ray of hope for daughters
Neeru’s initiative was not limited to the environment. She saw that the girls of the village were away from sports, they had neither grounds nor encouragement.
He did the same thing again – used his honorarium to build a ground in the village, appoint a coach and form a girls’ hockey team.
By giving hockey sticks to the girls, he not only started a sport but also gave wings to their dreams. Now these girls are playing at the district level, are full of confidence and are changing the thinking of the society.
The villagers now fondly call her – “Hockey wali Sarpanch”.
From the hot seat of KBC to the United Nations
Neeru Yadav’s hard work and thinking got her recognition not only across the country but also on the international stage. When she sat on the hot seat of “Kaun Banega Crorepati”, she dedicated the money she won to the education of the village.
Seeing his simplicity, commitment and vision, he got the opportunity to represent India in the United Nations. There also, he shared the utensils bank scheme of his village, which caught the attention of people from all over the world.
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Neeru Yadav – Not just a name, but a movement
Neeru’s story may sound like a film script, but it is a reality. It is a story of courage, determination and perseverance – when a woman decides to change something, the whole society starts moving along with her.
He proved that one becomes a Sarpanch not just by sitting on the chair but by getting down to work on the ground.
