Churu (Rajasthan), March 8 The story of Rajasthan’s Pana Devi is one of courage, determination, and an indomitable spirit that overcame countless challenges, from childhood to adulthood, and ultimately led to a success story that many would consider near impossible.
From a young age, Pana Devi faced struggles, embraced hardships, and ultimately started her own entrepreneurial venture, which rightly deserves attention.
Pana Devi, who couldn't afford education due to her family's financial situation, is running a successful sanitary napkin-making unit and has also been personally commended by President Droupadi Murmu.
A resident of Aspalsar village, 55 kilometers from the Churu district, she studied up to grade five and was married at the age of 12. Two years after her marriage, she moved to her in-laws' home and started a family. At a very young age, she took on many responsibilities.
She worked as a laborer under the MNREGA, tilling the soil.
At her father's insistence, she pursued education after marriage and studied up to Class 8 at the Anganwadi center. She couldn't find employment at the Anganwadi center due to her disability.
In 2016, her association with Rajivika laid the foundation for her transformation. Under Rajivika, she started receiving a stipend of Rs 2,250, which she saved and, further taking a small bank loan, started her enterprise.
Alongside, she also pursued her education and eventually completed her graduation.
Her big opportunity came when she was offered the chance to work as a "metha" in the NREGA program.
Taking small loans from Rajivika, she began manufacturing sanitary napkins. Initially, the work was done using a small machine, but it expanded over time. The District Collector, Siddharth Siyag, provided Pana Devi with a larger sanitary napkin machine from his budget. Today, around 20 women work together in her unit.
Pana Devi has not limited herself to just this. She is inspiring the women of her village to pursue education. She has inspired nearly 40 women to pursue education.
She has trained hundreds of women associated with Rajivika in seven to eight districts. She has also received various trainings and is passing on the benefits to other women. Her efforts have led to many women gaining employment in various fields.
Her achievements have also given her the opportunity to meet President Droupadi Murmu, which she considers the proudest moment of her life.
Pana Devi says that struggle has been a part of her life since the beginning, but now she is never afraid of it; rather, it has given her the strength to move forward.
Priyanka Chaudhary and Manju, officials with the Rajasthan Rural Development, say that Pana Devi's story teaches us that no matter how great the struggle, if courage and hard work are combined, success is certain.