Meet the woman who constructs a toilet for self respect and dignity. M I Khan reports from Patna.
Bihar's Shanti Devi is not an ordinary woman. She is a woman with a difference.
Shanti, resident of Khaira Bhutha village under Sanjhauli block in Rohtas, sold her four goats she was rearing to raise money for medical treatment of her paralysed husband, to construct a toilet at her house.
"For me construction of a toilet was a top priority. I have decided to go for his (her husband's) medical treatment after constructing a toilet," said Shanti.
Shanti's husband, Mahender Singh has been paralysed for over one and half year. He is unable to speak or walk.
Thanks to local village body head’s negligence, Shanti's family is neither a below poverty line card holder nor a beneficiary of any government welfare scheme. She has been working as a daily wage labourer in agriculture land to earn livelihood for her family of five.
"When I failed to get any financial help to construct a toilet, I was forced to sell my goats," said Shanti.
She said construction of her toilet has now begun.
"Now, I will fulfill my dream of a toilet for self respect and dignity and to get rid of defecate in the open," said Shanti, a mother of two sons and a daughter.
She admitted that if the government will provide her assistance for toilet construction, she will use that money for treatment of her ailing husband.
Rohtas district magistrate Animesh Kumar Parashar said that Shanti has put a rare example and she will inspire others.
"We will provide her assistance. I will ensure that she will be given Rs 12,000 for toilet construction besides help for treatment from chief minister medical fund," he said.
Last week, Phulkumari Devi, a young woman in her mid-20s, mortgaged her jewellery to raise money to construct a toilet at her home.
Her move was praised by local as well as district administration.
Out of the 21.3 million rural households in Bihar, only 5.076 million have toilets in their homes.
