Imran Shah/Vikar Shah
Kishtwar, (DD): In Drabshala, a small village Chimoti Panchayat of ward number 4, Bunjwara tucked inside the Indarwal Assembly constituency, water is a daily battle — and politics, a seasonal visitor. While the taps remain dry, political promises keep overflowing every election cycle.
Each day, Rani Begum, Bashira Begum, Mariyam with other women in the village set out before sunrise with two empty pots and aching legs.
“Paer mein jaan nahi rehti, lekin paani lana padta hai. Netagiri se pet nahi bharta,” she mutters, walking nearly 3 kilometers to a half-dried spring. Her story is echoed in nearly every household here.
The only well in the village has long dried up. Hand pumps breathe more air than water. Government water tankers? “Woh bhi sirf tasalli ke liye aate hain — jaise sapne,” says Bashira Begum, who’s missed workdays just waiting in line for a few litres.
During elections, Drabshala sees a flurry of activity — folded hands, staged photos, and grand announcements. “Woh aate hain, vote le jaate hain… fir kabhi nazar nahi aate,” says Ghulam Hussain.
“Paach saal pehle ek water tank ka vaada kiya tha. Aaj tak ek eet bhi nahi lagi,” Fateh Mohammed.
For the women and elderly, the daily water quest is not just exhausting — it’s degrading.
“Hum har roz apni izzat ke saath samjhauta karte hain,” says Rani Begum, who dreams of being a nurse but spends her days fetching water instead of attending classes.
Last week, an angry youth staged a protest. Their banner read: “Vikas poster tak hai, paani dhoondhne gaon chalna padta hai.”
Despite being part of a high-profile assembly seat, Drabshala remains stuck in time.
“Vote maangne sab aa jaate hain, lekin paani dene koi nahi,” says Mohammed Aslam.
He said “Agle baar vote lene se pehle paani leke aana.”
As another scorching summer approaches, Drabshala’s thirst grows — not just for water, but for dignity and accountability.(DD)