'It is a shame for a woman to defecate in the open.'
M I Khan reports from Patna.

Phulkumari Devi, a young woman in her mid-20s, has done which no woman in her village, Barahkhanna in Bihar's Rohtas district, has done before.

Why, what few women -- if any -- have done in the whole country.

Defying her mother-in-law Dewanti Devi and husband Vinod Kumar -- a daily wage labourer -- Phulkumari mortgaged her mangalsutra, nathia (nose ring), payal (anklets) and bali (ear rings) to raise money to construct a toilet at her home.

"They tried to stop me," the mother of two young children says. "My mother-in-law said a married woman's personal jewellery are a symbol of her suhaag (wedded status) and one should not mortgage them for a toilet. But I convinced them."

Even though Phulkumari raised Rs 9,000 by mortgaging her jewellery, she is still short of Rs 3,000.

Undeterred, she has taken up farm labour to plant paddy seeds during the ongoing Kharif season to ensure that the toilet is constructed.

Underlining that it is a shame for a woman to defecate in the open, Phulkumari says, "A toilet is a must for every home. Women have been forced to defecate outside, risking everything. This must stop."

"My toilet is under construction now," she adds. "I am sure I will complete construction by August 15."

Out of the 21.3 million rural households in Bihar, only 5.076 million have toilets in their homes.

"It is an unique step by Phulkumari..." says district official Rajesh Kumar, "her story will inspire others. Her intention and commitment are remarkable, the district administration will reward her for it."

Image published only for representational purposes.