NewsBytes
    Hindi Tamil Telugu
    More
    In the news
    Narendra Modi
    Amit Shah
    Box Office Collection
    Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
    OTT releases
    Hindi Tamil Telugu
    NewsBytes
    User Placeholder

    Hi,

    Logout


    India Business World Politics Sports Technology Entertainment Auto Lifestyle Inspirational Career Bengaluru Delhi Mumbai Visual Stories Find Cricket Statistics Phones Reviews Fitness Bands Reviews Speakers Reviews

    Download Android App

    Follow us on
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Linkedin
     
    Home / News / India News / From 'balika-vadhu' to activist: A story of grit and determination
    From 'balika-vadhu' to activist: A story of grit and determination
    India

    From 'balika-vadhu' to activist: A story of grit and determination

    Written by Pallabi C Samal
    May 07, 2018 | 05:38 pm 3 min read
    From 'balika-vadhu' to activist: A story of grit and determination

    At 14, her childhood was mercilessly snatched away when she was married off to a man 18 years her senior. At 21, she is an anti-child marriage activist, and has already spoken in UN on an invite by former chief Ban-ki-Moon. A poor tribal girl from a nondescript West Bengal village, Sanatana Murmu is now credited with the development of her village, Subarnapur.

    Her community dictates girls touching puberty be married off

    One day her father declared that since Murmu had attained puberty, she'd be married off, as per community rules. But she wanted to study like her brother, and pleaded with her father against the decision. However, ignoring all her requests, she was married off to a laborer, Govinda Hemram. The only silver lining for her was the kind embrace of her in-laws and Govinda.

    Once she started volunteering for CINI, she gained her ground

    Within three years of her marriage, she gave birth to two girls, Vasundhara and Brishti. After Brishti's birth in 2014, Murmu felt hollow inside and wanted to add meaning to her existence. Through a reference, she contacted Kolkata-headquartered Child In Need Institute (CINI), an international humanitarian organization. She started guided-volunteering, where she met married minor girls and held sessions to advocate against teenage pregnancy.

    "I'd never left my locality till I went to US"

    Unsurprisingly, she didn't get much support from fellow villagers. However, she carried on the fight, because "I was lucky I survived, but many girls don't," said Murmu. Amidst all this came the turning-point in 2015: an invitation to speak at the UN. "I'd never left my local area before, yet I was speaking in front of 100 people in the US," smilingly adds Murmu.

    When asked about her education, her childhood dream got ignited

    Cut to 2015 in New York. Someone in the audience asked her about education, igniting her childhood dream to be a teacher. But for that she needed to complete her education. After all, she had studied only till class VIII. When the nearest school to her village refused to admit her, the BDO intervened. Since then she walks 3kms everyday to attend her classes.

    She has also started a helpline to prevent elopement

    Along with her CINI guide, Murmu has started a helpline where people can give them a head-start if someone elopes to get married. "These kids fall in love and give up their studies and no one cares since it's not done forcibly," she said.

    Murmu hopes for Government funding. Anyone listening?

    Despite receiving international recognition, she's yet to be acknowledged by the Indian government. Her certificates, silver plates and trophies are "just bright pieces of metal decorating" her cupboard and are meaningless because she doesn't have the money to execute her ideas. But due to her untiring efforts, Subarnapur is more developed. CINI and Murmu can now focus on the next block.

    Share this timeline
    Facebook
    Whatsapp
    Twitter
    Linkedin
    Related News
    West Bengal
    United States of America

    West Bengal

    Storm alert for 15 states/UTs: How to keep yourself safe India
    Railways' 12,066 acres of unused land now up for grabs Madhya Pradesh
    Bihar man arrested for raping minor daughter for six months Bihar
    Passengers assault couple for hugging in Kolkata metro, because 'how-can-they' Kolkata

    United States of America

    Sensex surges over 146 points in opening trade Bharti Airtel
    President Trump, Kim Jong-un likely to meet in Singapore South Korea
    GoPro Fusion 360-degree camera launched in India at Rs. 60,000 Android
    Congress MLA Aditi Singh: Marriage to Rahul Gandhi mere rumors Karnataka
    Next News Article

    Love India News?

    Subscribe to stay updated.

    India Thumbnail
    Indian Premier League (IPL) Celebrity Hollywood Bollywood UEFA Champions League Tennis Football Smartphones Cryptocurrency Upcoming Movies Premier League Cricket News Latest automobiles Latest Cars Upcoming Cars Latest Bikes Upcoming Tablets
    About Us Privacy Policy Terms & Conditions Contact Us Ethical Conduct Grievance Redressal News News Archive Topics Archive Download DevBytes Find Cricket Statistics
    Follow us on
    Facebook Twitter Linkedin
    All rights reserved © NewsBytes 2023