Bhagirathi Devi
Bhagirathi Devi | |
|---|---|
| Member of Bihar Legislative Assembly | |
| In office 2010 | |
| Preceded by | Chandra Mohan Rai |
| Constituency | Ramnagar |
| In office 2000–2010 | |
| Preceded by | Bhola Ram Toofani |
| Succeeded by | Constituency defunct |
| Constituency | Shikarpur |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 12 January 1954 Narkatiaganj, West Champaran district, Bihar |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Political party | Bharatiya Janata Party |
| Spouse | Mamikhan Raut |
| Children | 6 |
| Residence(s) | Shikarpur, West Champaran district, Bihar |
| Occupation | Politician Social worker |
Bhagirathi Devi (born 12 January 1954) is an Indian politician. She is a member of the Bihar Legislative Assembly, and currently represents Ramnagar, Paschim Champaran.[1][2] Bhagarithi Devi initially worked as a sweeper in the block development office in Narkatiyaganj, West Champaran district with ₹800 (US$10) as salary.
She hails from a Mahadalit family from Narkatiaganj in Bihar. Bhagirathi again contested from Ramnagar assembly seat in 2015 Bihar Legislative Assembly election against Congress candidate and won the seat.[3][4][5][6] In April 2015, Bhagirathi Devi fought with Annu Shukla of ruling Janata Dal (United) during the Zero Hour in Bihar Legislative Assembly over the issue of non-payment of wage under MGNREGA scheme.[7] Bhagirathi Devi initially won elections from now-defunct Shikarpur (Vidhan Sabha constituency) in 2000 and 2005. She is married to a railway employee, Mamikhan Raut.
Award
In 2019, she was honoured with the Padma Shri Award.[8]
Social work
Bhagirathi allowed the Anganwadi Kendra (child care centres) to open its office in her house in West Champaran district. She especially worked in the field of girls’ education. Bhagirathi spent several years creating mahila sangathans (women's groups) in Narkatiyaganj block, organising women and creating awareness around issues that included domestic violence, violence against dalits and fair wages. She later expanded her political activism to other blocks in the district, going to jail in 1991 for organising demonstrations.
See also
References
- ^ "From Proxies To Politicians: Bihar's Female MLAs". thequint. thequint. Retrieved 15 January 2011.
- ^ "Sweeper-turned-MLA champion of rights". Deccan Herald. 11 June 2012.
- ^ PTI (1 December 2015). "New Bihar MLAs take oath in assembly". The Economic Times. Retrieved 29 November 2018.
- ^ Salomi, Vithika (10 November 2015). "Bihar election results 2015: Women MLAs' number comes down by 6 to 28". The Times of India. Retrieved 29 November 2018.
- ^ "Tough task for Congress to wrest seats from BJP | Patna News - Times of India". The Times of India. 21 September 2015.
- ^ "BJP names candidates from 99 assembly seats | Patna News - Times of India". The Times of India. 21 September 2015.
- ^ "Bihar Assembly adjourned after 2 rival women MLAs get into a fight". DNA India. 22 April 2015.
- ^ "Padma awards for 2019 announced: Full list of awardees". News Minute. 25 January 2019. Retrieved 28 January 2019.