Churachura, a quiet, forest-edged village about 15 kilometers from Gadchiroli Taluka in Maharashtra, is known for its scenic simplicity and strong tribal roots. With a primary school, high school, Anganwadi center, and a health sub-center, the village had the foundational structures of a functional rural community. Yet, beneath this surface lay a growing and dangerous problem, alcohol abuse.
The epicenter of this issue was just steps away from the Gram Panchayat office. Every evening, the area would transform into a noisy, chaotic zone where alcohol was sold openly by a local family. Groups of men, some from the village, others from neighboring areas, would gather to drink, shout, and harass passersby. The atmosphere was deeply unsettling, especially for women and children. There were frequent instances of catcalling, lewd comments, and drunken brawls, making it almost impossible for girls and women to safely walk past. Children were scared. Women started avoiding that route entirely.
The issue was first brought to light during a child-led safety mapping conducted in the monthly CG meeting in June 2024. The Children’s Group (CG), which actively participated in this exercise, didn’t hold back. One child shared, “There is one family selling alcohol near our school and the Gram Panchayat. Many people come there, drink, and use abusive words. It’s disturbing us.” Their voices echoed the discomfort felt by many in the village but rarely spoken out loud.
During a routine Village Child Protection Committee (VCPC) meeting, CG members shared their observations. Their testimony triggered a wave of concern and determination. The VCPC, which included women from the local Self-Help Groups (SHGs), agreed this couldn’t continue. But confronting those selling alcohol wasn’t easy. There was fear what if they reacted violently? Would it cause tensions in the village?
The SHG women, some of whom had family members who drank and became aggressive at home, pushed strongly for action. As one SHG member put it, “Our husbands drink and quarrel at home without reason. We need this business to stop.” A discussion ensued within the VCPC, and the group unanimously decided they would approach the alcohol-selling family—not alone, but together.
Armed with collective strength, the VCPC members and SHG women went to the family’s house. Their approach was respectful but firm. They explained the harm being caused and requested that the illegal activity stop. While the family hesitantly agreed, the VCPC remained skeptical.
Their doubts were soon confirmed. Though the alcohol sale stopped temporarily, it was soon reported that the same family had shifted their operations to a secluded area in the forest, just beyond the village boundaries. The VCPC immediately informed the Police Patil, who played a key role in reinforcing the message. He visited the forest site, warned the family of strict legal consequences, and instructed them to shut the operation down. With mounting community pressure and official involvement, the family finally backed off completely.
But the VCPC didn’t stop there. Realizing that temporary compliance wouldn’t guarantee lasting change, they launched a village-wide awareness campaign. Meetings were held in every hamlet. The harmful effects of alcohol—on families, on children, on women—were discussed openly. Children joined the movement enthusiastically, organizing rallies and street plays. Slogans for a “Nasha Mukt Gaon” (Substance-Free Village) echoed through Churachura’s dusty lanes.
One rally, led by the children and supported by VCPC and community members, became a turning point. As the children marched with placards and powerful chants, the energy became infectious. The Police Patil marched with them. So did teachers, health workers, and elders. Seeing this unity, even the most stubborn alcohol sellers realized the village was no longer on their side.
There was some resistance initially, particularly from men who believed drinking was their right. But as the message of safety, dignity, and collective responsibility spread, these voices grew quiet.
The VCPC continued to monitor the situation with regular visits to the former seller’s home. “If they start again, we’ll know,” said one member confidently. The Police Patil, too, remained alert, periodically checking in and assuring that legal action would follow any relapse. Women reported a visible shift, drunken quarrels at home had reduced, and the Gram Panchayat area, once a place of fear, had turned quiet and safe. Children could walk past without fear; women resumed using that route.
Though some men still consume alcohol purchased from outside the village, they did so discreetly and no longer gathered in public spaces. The public culture of drinking had been dismantled.
Today, Churachura proudly calls itself a “Nasha Mukt Gaon”. The children who first raised the concern are now seen as community changemakers. Their courage, combined with the VCPC’s commitment and the entire village’s unity, turned the tide. Neighboring villages have taken note, sending representatives to learn how Churachura made it happen.
This is more than just a story of stopping alcohol. It’s a story of reclaiming public spaces, rebuilding community trust, and proving that when children, women, and leaders come together, even deeply rooted issues can be overcome.
