Mukti’s Vision: Strengthening the Power of Women

“I, Bishwanath Mondal, extend my heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to all well-wishers of Mukti. I am grateful for the opportunity to speak on the development of women’s empowerment on the eve of India’s 78th Independence Day.

Today, on August 11th, marks the day when the brave martyr, young Khudiram, sacrificed his life on the gallows. Four days later, our nation will grandly celebrate Independence Day.

The freedom we attained was only from the 200 years of oppressive British rule and exploitation, but we have not yet achieved freedom from educational, economic, and social inequality. India is a nation of 1.4 billion people, half of whom are women. Among these women, 90% are neglected, oppressed, exploited, and subjected to violence. In a patriarchal society, these women are unjustly subjected to neglect, abuse, and violence every moment. They are forced into servitude and prostitution and even lose their lives prematurely due to domestic violence. Women still lack financial, social, and health security. Is this life of inequality what we call freedom?

Mukti has been tirelessly fighting for the empowerment and development of women’s strength. As a result, they have formed a fund called MCDF (Mukti Community Development Fund) with socially marginalized and geographically isolated women. Over 25,000 women have joined in establishing this fund, which is managed by a forum without the direct involvement of any Mukti officials. This forum operates on the core principle of the Indian Constitution: “Of the people, by the people, for the people.” In this case, it is “Of the women, by the women, for the women.”

It is worth mentioning that from the financial years 2003 to 2024, this fund has collected over 5 million rupees and distributed over 4 million rupees as microloans among more than 5,000 marginalized women. Additionally, in the 2023-24 financial year, the fund made a profit of over 2 million rupees. This substantial amount of money, distributed among many women, has saved them from losing their land, houses, cattle, jewellery and household items to moneylenders. These women have protected themselves and their families from falling into destitution at the hands of moneylenders, while also gaining the strength and right to live with dignity and self-respect within their families. In this way, thousands of women have developed their strength with the support and guidance of Mukti.

As the head of this forum’s management committee and Vice President of Mukti, I make an appeal to all conscientious and aware citizens on the eve of the 78th anniversary of independence to stand by Mukti and the relentless efforts of these socially marginalized and geographically isolated women.”