Odisha Skill Development Authority chief Subroto Bagchi and district Collector Dr N Thirumala Naik on Thursday took a ride in the auto-rickshaw of Santoshi Deo aka Radha Maa, a brave woman of Keonjhar who opted to drive the three-wheeler for upbringing of her girl child after being left by her husband.
The two officials assured Radha Maa to provide assistance for proper education of her daughter after the woman narrated her struggle with tears welling up in eyes to them during the ride.
Bagchi and Naik assured Radha Maa of a loan under the Mudra Yojana and an assistance of Rs 80,000 from the district administration. This apart, the administration would also make arrangements for education of her child.
Radha Maa, hailing from Badamuni village under Sadar block in the district, had married one Rohit Dasburma of Haryana. After giving birth to a girl child, her husband started torturing her. The situation worsened when Rohit brought his ex-lover to his house and lived with her.
Taking a bold decision, Radha Maa decided to return to her father’s house with her daughter. She initially started assisting her father at his small eatery to bring up her kid.
later, Radha Maa planned to drive an auto-rickshaw and brought the vehicle last year. Her inspirational story gradually spread far and wide, encouraging many others to lead their lives with dignity despite harsh circumstances.