Check out 16 Return-To-Work Programs In India For Ambitious Women Like You!
The story of a women self defense trainer, who is transforming the lives of many girls from her remote village in Odisha. True women empowerment it is!
The story of Jayanti Bhoi, a self defense trainer, who is transforming the lives of many girls from her remote village in Odisha. True women empowerment it is!
Jayanti Bhoi, a self-made woman, is a Master Trainer of self-defense training for girls. Jayanti has bagged the Chief Minister’s Award thrice as the best master trainer (Martial Arts) of Odisha – she is an athlete, a regular blood donor and a social worker who works for the betterment of bonded labourers and for the education of girls. Above all, she is a leader.
Now doing her post-graduation in literature, Jayanti Bhoi’s story is full of struggle and adventures. A real story of unusual courage and indomitable strength. Jayanti belongs to the Risida village, a very small hamlet in the district of Kalahandi (infamous for it’s neglect and suffering in India). Poverty, illiteracy and superstitions are very predominant in this tribal district.
Her father died when she was a three year old child and her sister was just one. As a 23 year old widow, her mother faced coercion and subjugation in their village. Even her brother-in-law (Jayanti’s uncle) forcefully threw them out of their ancestral home.With midday meals and a small scholarship, Jayanti managed to get a first class in her Higher Secondary School Certificate (HSC).
Since her childhood Jayanti was very unconventional, and often went outrageously against the traditional norms of the society. Personally she was hurt by all the humiliation she had to undergo, with no male member in the family to support her. Villagers forced her mother to get Jayanti married early, adhering to their traditional customs which dictate a girl should be sent to her in-laws’ home as soon as she hits puberty. But Jayanti strongly opposed the move and got admitted into her +2 in Arts where she got a first class. She later joined the Government Autonomous College, Bhawanipatna to continue her studies.
It was a debate competition at the ladies hostel where I as the superintendent marked her. She was not a good orator but after the competition when I asked the girls to share their experiences (the topic was about ‘Women Empowerment‘) Jayanti told us how she slapped boys who were using foul language in the train, when she had been to Maharashtra to take part in sports.
When the state government launched the self defense training for girls, I started counselling them to attend martial arts training. Jayanti came forward and accompanied me to Utkal Karate School in Bhubaneswar, along with six other girls fully sponsored by the state government. She was just one representative of countless women’s suffering, but she had a promise to fight against all odds and evils of our society.
She returned with a complete transformation. It was not a fight for her bread and butter alone, but a fight for dignity and true emancipation of women. Now she is a master trainer for college girls of the district. The Government pays her well for imparting training to all school and college girls. From the very first year of her graduation she is self reliant as a master trainer. She is a simple, innocent, emotional yet surprisingly very strong girl.
It was a great challenge for Jayanti to get back their croplands, for which she started fighting in the courts of law. The judicial verdict came in their favour and now her mother is a famous lady farmer in their village. Jayanti said, “When my mother walks on the village road like a queen, everyone says, ‘see Jayanti’s mother is going.’ Even my village is gaining popularity in my name and it’s indeed a proud moment for me”.
It’s not an easy task for young girls and their family to fight against the social stigma. The most interesting fact is that the same villagers are now proposing her name for becoming the Sarpanch in the next elections. But Jayanti wants to be a government officer.
Jayanti says that physical abuse against young girls and women is decreasing in her village and even the outlook of villagers is changing rapidly. Jayanti is emerging as the new voice and role-model for many girls from rural areas. She is an ardent fan of boxer Mary Kom. Though she cannot opt for boxing now, she has started undergoing training for judo and karate.
She is an inspiration and motivation for millions of girls. I wish her all the success in life and salute her patience, perseverance and hard work for making her dreams come true.
Image Credit – Author of the article
Asst professor by profession .I protest against each injustice. Strong supporter of female education and freedom.I believe a strong mind and a brave heart can achieve any dream.Left Engineering after marriage and started read more...
Women's Web is an open platform that publishes a diversity of views, individual posts do not necessarily represent the platform's views and opinions at all times.
Stay updated with our Weekly Newsletter or Daily Summary - or both!
UP Boards Topper Prachi Nigam was trolled on social media for her facial hair; our obsession with appearance is harsh on young minds.
Prachi Nigam’s photo has been doing the rounds on social media for the right reasons. Well, scratch that- I wish the above statement were true. This 15-year-old girl should ideally be revelling in her spectacular achievement of scoring a whopping 98.05% and topping her tenth-grade boards. But oddly enough, along with her marks, it’s something else that garners more attention – her facial hair.
While the trolls are driving themselves giddy by mocking this girl who hasn’t even completed her school yet, the ones who are taking her side are going one step ahead – they are sharing her photoshopped pictures, sans the facial hair, looking nothing less than a celebrity with captions saying – “Prachi Nigam, ten years later”.
Doctors have already diagnosed her with PCOD in their comments, based on photographic evidence. While we have names for people shamed for their weight – body shaming, for their skin colour- racism, for their age- age shaming, for being a female- sexism, this category of shaming where one faces criticism for their appearance has no name. With that, it also has zero shame attached to it.
Please enter your email address