Bhagirathi Devi

Bhagirathi Devi (born 12 January 1954) is an Indian politician. She is a member of the Bihar Legislative Assembly, and currently represents Ramnagar, Paschim Champaran.^[1][2] Bhagarithi Devi was initially working as a sweeper in the block development office in Narkatiyaganj, West Champaran district and used to get ₹800 (US$12) as salary. She hails from a Mahadalit family from Narkatiaganj in Bihar. Bhagirathi again contested from Ramnagar assembly seat in Bihar Legislative Assembly election, 2015 against Congress candidate and won the seat.^[3][4][5][6] In April 2015, Bhagirathi Devi fought with Annu Shukla of ruling Janata Dal (United) during the Zero Hour in Bihar Legislative Assembly over the issue of non-payment of wage under MGNREGA scheme.^[7] Bhagirathi Devi initially won elections from now-defunct Shikarpur (Vidhan Sabha constituency) in 2000 and 2005. She is married to a railway employee, Mamikhan Raut.

Social work

Bhagirathi allowed the Anganwadi Kendra (child care centres) to open its office in her house in West Champaran district. She especially worked in the field of girls’ education. Bhagirathi spent several years creating mahila sangathans (women’s groups) in Narkatiyaganj block, organising women and creating awareness around issues that included domestic violence, violence against dalits and fair wages. She later expanded her political activism to other blocks in the district, going to jail in 1991 for organising demonstrations.

See also

• Jitan Ram Manjhi
• Manoj Bajpai

References

External links

• Bhagirathi Devi on Facebook