Society should learn to respect women: Padma Shri awardee Shanti Devi

Padma Shri awardee Shanti Devi

(87) has been working for the uplift 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.

Tell us more about your work

I started an ashram at Sankhalpadar in the then undivided Koraput district for the tribal children and also looked after leprosy patients there. I met Acharya Vinoba Bhave in 1955-56 and was drawn towards his ideology and started working for the uplift of tribals, destitute women and orphaned girls. I started Seva Samaj in Rayagada on September 11, 1964.

We have a school at Jabarguda village in Rayagada in which 100 girls study from Classes I to V. We also run a hostel at Limaguda village where tribal girls, who have passed out of Jabarguda school or are still studying, are housed The organisation manages three orphanages in Gunupur, Rayagada and Jabarguda.

What is your vision for the future?

My main job is to empower girls and teach them to be self-dependent. People should also become more tolerant by following the philosophies of Mahatma Gandhi and Acharya Vinoba Bhave. The society should learn to respect women.

How would you like to be remembered?

There is no need for people to remember me. The work that I have started should go on.