Churu, March 8: In the face of numerous challenges, including early marriage, motherhood at a young age, financial struggles, and disability, Pana Devi from Aspalasar village has transformed her life and the lives of many women around her. Through her resilience and hard work, she has not only graduated but also empowered numerous women in her community by providing them with employment opportunities.
Pana Devi shared that her education was limited to the fifth grade. At just 12 years old, she was married. Two years later, she moved to her in-laws’ home, and by the age of 15, she became a mother. The responsibilities of family and children fell heavily on her shoulders at a young age.
Due to her family’s poor financial situation, she had to work as a laborer under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). Despite her disability, she engaged in physically demanding work, often wishing she had pursued her education to avoid such hardships.
This desire for education fueled her motivation to progress. After her marriage, her father supported her education up to the eighth grade, aiming for her to work in an Anganwadi (rural childcare center). However, even after completing eighth grade, she was not selected for the position.
In 2016, a new hope arrived in her life through the Rajivika organization. A team from Andhra Pradesh connected her with the initiative, allowing her to become a group leader and receive various training sessions. She began earning a stipend of 2,250 rupees. With a small loan, she purchased a sewing machine and started learning to sew.
During this time, she also registered for the tenth-grade exams through an open board. Although she did not pass on her first attempt, she persevered and succeeded on her second try. She continued her education, completing her twelfth grade and eventually graduating.
Through Rajivika, she received another significant opportunity when women who had completed fifth grade were given the chance to become supervisors in MGNREGA. After working as a laborer, she served as a supervisor for three years, which significantly boosted her confidence. She decided to inspire other women in her village to pursue their ambitions.
Taking small loans from Rajivika, she started a sanitary napkin production venture. Initially, she worked with a small machine that required long hours and yielded low income. Recognizing this issue, Durga Dhaka, an officer from Rajasthan Rural Development, requested the then District Collector Siddharth Siyag to provide Pana Devi with a larger machine. Today, around 20 women work together in this unit, gaining employment.
Pana Devi did not stop at her own achievements. She has motivated approximately 40 women in her village to pursue education, personally assisting 13 women in filling out their open board registration forms. She notes that no one in her family had studied beyond the fifth grade, but she broke that tradition by completing her graduation.
To date, Pana Devi has trained hundreds of women across seven to eight districts through Rajivika. By participating in various training programs, she has shared her knowledge with others. Her efforts have led many women to secure jobs in diverse fields. Her accomplishments even earned her a meeting with the President of India, Droupadi Murmu, which she considers one of the proudest moments of her life.
Pana Devi expressed that struggles have always been a part of her life, but she no longer fears them. Instead, they empower her to move forward. She hopes every woman in her village will pursue education, progress, and become self-reliant. Priyanka Chaudhary and Manju, officials from Rajasthan Rural Development, emphasize that Pana Devi’s story teaches us that no matter how great the struggle, with determination and hard work, success is achievable. Through her efforts, Pana Devi has not only transformed her own life but has also ignited a new hope in the lives of many other women. Her story proves that with courage and dedication, no obstacle is insurmountable.
Arpit Soni has had a passion for journalism since the beginning. Now he has turned this hobby into his profession. Arpit, who is a resident of Udaipur, enjoys editing and writing news related to journalism. He has worked as a Senior Content Producer in several important roles at Bhaskar, Patrika, Pratahkal, Punjab Kesari, and Times. Arpit completed his schooling in Udaipur and Jaipur. He has been working in the media industry for more than 10 years, and his journey is still continuing. ✍️📚
Leave a Comment