'Here, only boys have the liberty to go to big cities'

While there was a sentiment to boycott polls, residents of Sohgi Barwa in Maharajganj have decided not to do so and instead raise the demand for approach and connecting roads on the poll day. They will first cast their vote and then sign a memorandum for the demand.
Locals, mainly Scheduled Castes, including mushahars, believe that the approach road is not only about connectivity.

"Roads are about overall development. They open avenues for higher education, which is out of question for girls as of now. Only boys are allowed to go to big cities," said Dhupai Prasad, village chowkidar.
Prabhu Prasad added that roads can bring the village on the tourism map. "Our village is a part of Sohgi Barwa Wildlife Sanctuary, the world's 13th largest natural forest (as per a WWF list). Bihar government has launched eco-tourism projects on its side. The road will help us provide the same," he said.
A 70-year-old Kaath Bangla (wooden dak bangla) is also located in the village to substantiate Prabhu's vision. Old timers say that the situation has improved but there is a long way to go. "Until construction of Chitauni Bagaha railway bridge over Gandak river in 1999, people had to take a boat ride to reach the village. If we get an approach road, development will be fast-tracked," said 95-year-old Tribhuvan Dubey, the eldest resident of the village hoping that the wish gets fulfilled in his lifetime.
Recent developments have posed an identity crisis of sorts before the villagers.
"Authorities at Maharajganj and Kushinagar have proposed to transfer our village to Bihar but we don't want to lose our identity and we have asked all candidates to support our cause," said Mahendra Patel.
Village head Vinay Singh added that the transfer would break the momentum of their demand for the approach road. There are over 4,500 voters in a population of around 7,800 in Sohgi Barwa. Their concern is also shared by villagers in Shikarpur and Bhotaha.