Sumanis now spreading the message of valuing daughters in villages around her home
35-year-old Suman Singh from Kanpur Dehat is a mother of three – two daughters and a son. Inspired
by Dr. Sneha, the protagonist of the TV show ‘Main KuchBhiKarSaktiHoon’, she fought against
patriarchal norms and ensured that her daughters were educated. Her elder daughter is now a Radio
Jockey, while the younger one is preparing for a career as a police officer. Suman has followed the
show – dealing with women’s rights, health and family planning – over three seasons, and is an
example of how it has inspired and helped people in far-flung areas of the country transform their
lives.
PFI’s Executive Director, Poonam Muttreja stated, “The idea behind Main
KuchBhiKarSaktiHoon was to help bring change by reaching out to people across the country at scale.
It is heartening to know that our show inspired Suman to fight for the rights of her daughters, and
even spread the message in her community. She and others such as 23-year-old LadkunwarKushwaha
of Bundelkhand who became the first girl in her village to go to college, and a group of men in
Madhya Pradesh’s Chattarpur who transformed into caring and supportive husbands after watching
the show – they are evidence of how entertainment can transform people’s lives.;
Suman Singh says, “If it would not have been for Main KuchBhiKarSaktiHoon, I would not have been
able to step out of home or encourage my daughters to do so. We probably would have married them
off by now, but today we are declining marriage proposals which are coming in for them.” The proud
mother goes on to add that her daughters will have to establish themselves in their respective careers
before thinking of marriage. “Main KuchBhiKarSaktiHoon has given me an identity that I’ll cherish
for the rest of my life. If only I could meet Dr. Sneha to thank her for everything she’s done for us.;
Suman has in turn inspired her sister to adopt contraception, and even visits neigh boring villages to
propagate the shows message and encourage parents to educate their daughters.
Main #KuchBhiKarSaktiHoonis a unique trans media programme produced by the national NGO
Population Foundation of India (PFI). It has been broadcast over Doordarshan for three seasons, and
through All India Radio, community radio stations, an Interactive Voice Response System platform
and through social media. The show uses entertainment to challenge regressive social norms that
affect the lives of girls and women, and have an impact on their education, work, marriage, healthcare
and family planning. Suman, who is from Bairi Dariyav village of Kanpur Dehat district in Uttar
Pradesh, had to struggle for money to continue her daughters’ education. Though her husband was
initially not in favour of them studying, he is now convinced after seeing their success.
Main KuchBhiKarSaktiHoon recently ended its third season, completing broadcast of a total of 183
episodes. The show revolves around Dr.SnehaMathur, a successful doctor working in Mumbai, who
quits her job to move back to her village Pratapur in order to provide healthcare for all. The show is
one of Doordarshan’s flagship programmes with several repeat telecasts, dubbed and broadcast in 13
different Indian languages, and aired on 216 AIR stations across the country.
Population Foundation of India was supported by the REC Foundation and the Bill & Melinda Gates
Foundation for production of the third season.
