Another exceptional feature is that women, of all castes and religions, are at the forefront. Most of them are mothers and grandmothers. They lead the protests, organize roadblocks, travel long distances, cook at dharnas, crack jokes, sing protest songs and play the drum. Wizened Mandeshwari Devi, 63, pragmatically explains, “if NREGA wages are paid on time, then men too who have the primary responsibility of running homes, would have joined us in greater numbers.” Till then, the women are very proud of their NREGA earnings. Some spend it on their families, while many save it for a rainy day.