My dream is to transform Bhatwadi into a model village: Himani Shivpuri

In a heartfelt dialogue that bridges the worlds of art and community service, Himani Shivpuri, known for her vibrant presence on stage and screen, seen in movies such as Hum Aapke Hain Kaon, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, and more, recently adopted her hometown village, Bhatwadi.Driven by the desire to give back to the land that nurtured her, Himani recounts how the people of her village reacted to her decision, the changes she plans to implement, and how she wishes to uplift and bringsustainable livelihood to the women of her village.“My village, Bhatwadi, located in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand, has 10–12 elderly men and 25 women. It is a beautiful village with a Lakshmi Narayan temple and another temple, surrounded by breathtaking scenery.”“The women there sing, dance, and play traditional instruments. But the biggest problem the village is facing that very few people remain, especially men, who have migrated for work. Farming is becoming increasingly difficult due to a lack of manpower, and basic facilities like healthcare are also lacking. For example, if someone falls sick, they have to travel five and a half hours to Dehradun for treatment. So, as a first step, I am working towards providing an ambulance service to help in medical emergencies,” informs Himani.With women forming the majority of her village’s population including her chachi and daughter-in-law, Himani also plans on empowering them. “One thing I must say is that the women of Uttarakhand, including yours truly (laughs), are very strong and hardworking. Historically, they have led many movements, such as the Chipko Andolan, Sharab Bandi, and more. I want to focus on ways people there can channel their skills to earn a livelihood while staying in the village.Soon we will start giving training on managing livestock, making dhoop batti and other products using cow dung and teaching them organic farming.” says Himani.Himani’s dream is to transform Bhatwadi into a model village one where people no longer have to leave in search of jobs. “I want Bhatwadi to stand as an inspiring example, proving that a sustainable and fulfilling livelihood can be built right in a village. I also see potential for rural tourism, similar to how people in the US visit ranches to experience farm life.” says she.“This is just the beginning, and I am taking baby steps. I don’t have the power to transform everything overnight, but I am committed to doing whatever I can.” she adds.Balancing a career in theatre and television with such an ambitious initiative must be challenging for Himani. Mention that and she laughs and says, “Women are natural multitaskers! (laughs)”- Manas Mishra