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Join us as we commemorate the Foundation Day of Vanita Seva Samaj (VSS) in Dharwad. The event will be held at the Sannidhi hall on JSS College premises on February 4 (Sunday) at noon. Don't miss the inauguration by Union minister for parliamentary affairs Pralhad Joshi and the book release of 'Maayi' by Arvind Bellad. Let's honor the selfless efforts of Bhagirathibai Puranik in empowering underprivileged women.
Shanti Devi (87) has been working for the upliftment of tribal girls and destitute women since 1951. The Gandhian shares her journey with Arunika Mohapatra How does it feel to get a Padma Shri? This award from the Centre is an honour for the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi and Acharya Vinoba Bhave. What do you teach the girls? Girls need to be empowered, made more courageous and have to be taught to raise their voice against injustice. They should be independent and educate their families as well. What prompted you to don this role? In 1951, girls were not ambitious enough to become professionals. They used to toe the family line. I was married off at the age of 17 right after two years of college. My husband had laid a pre-condition for marriage — that I would have to work for the people of Koraput after we tied the knot. I agreed. Four months after our marriage, I came to Koraput with him.
Express News Service BHUBANESWAR: Age has never been a deterrent for Shanti Devi. At the age of 17, inspired by Mahatma Gandhi and Vinoba Bhave, she left college and moved to Koraput district with an aim to work for the poor in one of the most backward regions. She was accompanied by her husband Dr Ratan Das, for helping the poor. Today at the age of 86, she continues to follow the path of Bhave's Bhoodan movement and strives to ensure that every person from poor socio-economic background in Rayagada and Koraput districts has a piece of land to call his own.