Some villages lead by example. Anandwadi is a village in Latur, Maharashtra with a population of 635. The interesting fact about this village is that all homes here are owned by the women of the village.

The film 'Dangal' had inspired many people in the villages of North India to respect and value their daughters and have proudly put up their daughters' names in front of their houses. Here, in Anandwadi, people have gone a step further by transferring their houses and lands in the names of women of their family.

Name plates with the name of the woman of the house and their mobile numbers are displayed outside the houses. So much for woman empowerment, and it was not a movie that brought this transformation. It was the outcome of a gram sabha meeting where villagers had suggested this move which was received with a thumping majority. Women owning their homes became a rule in Anandwadi.

Nyanoba Chame, a member of gram sabha explains that during Diwali, Goddess Laxmi is brought into houses and worshiped. The villagers decided to honour their Laxmis (Wife/daughter) by taking this decision. The open minded men of this village feel that if a woman runs a home, there is no reason why she shouldn't own it. 

This village is one of a kind in India where all 165 homes are owned by women and some have even transferred their fields in the name of women. Anandwadi, as the name suggests is a 'happy village'. Its residents are living happily and peacefully and they haven't had a police case in the last 15 years. The village was awarded the 'Best Village' award under the dispute free village scheme.

The broad minds and large hearts of the villagers are reflected in the fact that the entire adult population of the village have pledged their organs. Some villagers have even pledged their bodies for medical research.

The Sarpanch of the village is a woman by the name Bhagyashree Chame. She believes that looking after the health of the residents is the village's responsibility. Therefore, smoking, drinking and chewing tobacco is strictly prohibited in the village.

They have only one regret that there are no organ transplant facilities in the government hospitals of Latur. They have written to the authorities and the state government for the same.

The villagers are self sufficient and their main occupation is farming. Knowing that the wedding of a girl is a cause of worry for parents, the villagers came up with a solution last year where all homes contributed to the wedding of girls from the village. A date is declared and mass weddings are conducted on that day, the entire cost of which is borne by the villager's contributions.

Anandwadi, this remote village is true to its name as people live here happily. They are content with whatever little they possess, but the cause of their true happiness is their open minds, caring souls and generous hearts.