The women were not justifying the boy's questionable act, but were insisting that the police go by the rule book. In fact, later they ensured that the girl was restored to her parents putting an end to the controversy.

While the courage of these rustic women may surprise many, those who had been following the activities of these village folk for the past couple of years are aware that they are achieving much more.

Their struggle to eradicate illicit arrack from the village is too well known in official and police circles here. Behind thenew-found confidence and realisation of rights of these women, who have little or no formal education, lies the efforts of Sister Dora, head of the village unit of the Madras Social Service Society. A member of the Madhavaram based St Anne's Congregation, Dora, who had her roots in Kanyakumari, has settled in Kadambathur since 1992.

The Sister first set her focus on the basic requirements needed for the villagers to lead a hygienic and healthy life. She convinced the women on the impelling need to remain independent and save money for the welfare of their families. The women were introduced to various Government schemes including vocational training which helped some of them to establish their own cottage industries. They were also educated about the legal avenues and rights available to them and were divided into groups for better functioning.

Today, 25 Magalir Suyasevai Sngum (Association of self-reliant Women) groups, each comprising 15-20 women are actively working for the social uplift of fivevillages -- Kadampathur, Vaidaiyur, Egattur, Pinchivakkam and Periyankuppam with self-sustenance as they key theme. Of these 20 are based in the first village.

With the collective savings of the Sangams, the women bagged a Rs 2.30 lakh contract for laying tar roads from the village Panchayat six months ago. What's more, the roads are being laid by the women themselves under the supervision of engineers, thereby saving the labour cost that would have otherwise been incurred. Their personal involvement vouches for the quality of the work. This has, however, allegedly not gone down well with some local political worthies as "they are deprived of a cut in the contract."