Early Life and Marriage
Mrs. Rita Devi – A Story of Struggles, Determination, and Success
Mrs. Rita Devi was born into a humble family, where values of hard work and persever ance were deeply ingrained. In 1990, she got married and moved to her husband’s home in Lilwa Tola, located in Rampur Hardayara in the then Bihar’s Sahiganj district. Her new home was surrounded by the mighty Ganges River, making transportation a significant challenge. The only way to reach the village was by crossing the river in a boat and then traveling by bullock cart to their home.
Her husband, Mr. Ravindra Kumar Rajak, had completed his tenth-grade education at the time of their marriage. Her father-in-law, Mr. Ganesh Rajak, was a well-to-do farmer, owning vast agricultural lands that provided them with a comfortable life. However, fate had other plans, and soon, life took an unexpected turn.
The Journey of Parenthood and Initial Struggles
In July 1993, they were blessed with a daughter, lovingly named Chanda Kumari. Two years later, in November 1995, they welcomed a son, Manikant. Around the same time, her husband secured a small tender project, which provided them with some financial stability. With the earnings from this tender, they invested in setting up a small shop made of wooden planks and thatched straw, which cost around ₹1,200. This shop became their primary source of income.
As time passed, Mr. Ravindra Kumar Rajak became involved with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and started teaching rural children. Though this noble work was satisfying, the earnings were meager—only ₹200 per month. Despite financial hardships, the couple remained determined to provide a better future for their children.Her husband, Mr. Ravindra Kumar Rajak, had completed his tenth-grade education at the time of their marriage. Her father-in-law, Mr. Ganesh Rajak, was a well-to-do farmer, owning vast agricultural lands that provided them with a comfortable life. However, fate had other plans, and soon, life took an unexpected turn.
As time passed, Mr. Ravindra Kumar Rajak became involved with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and started teaching rural children. Though this noble work was satisfying, the earnings were meager—only ₹200 per month. Despite financial hardships, the couple remained determined to provide a better future for their children.Her husband, Mr. Ravindra Kumar Rajak, had completed his tenth-grade education at the time of their marriage. Her father-in-law, Mr. Ganesh Rajak, was a well-to-do farmer, owning vast agricultural lands that provided them with a comfortable life. However, fate had other plans, and soon, life took an unexpected turn.
The Catastrophe – Losing Everything to the River
In 1996, a massive erosion caused by the Ganges River washed away their ancestral land and home. Everything they had was destroyed in an instant. The once-prosperous farmland was now submerged under water, leaving the family with no shelter or means of livelihood. Forced to flee, they moved to a nearby location and tried to rebuild their lives.
Her parents, Mr. Moti Rajak and Mrs. Bhushan Devi, extended their support by purchasing a small piece of land in Manghanari, Katihar district. They also helped construct a simple thatched-roof house for the family. With their children, Rita Devi and her husband started a new chapter in Manghanari, but their struggles were far from over.
Her parents, Mr. Moti Rajak and Mrs. Bhushan Devi, extended their support by purchasing a small piece of land in Manghanari, Katihar district. They also helped construct a simple thatched-roof house for the family. With their children, Rita Devi and her husband started a new chapter in Manghanari, but their struggles were far from over.
Adapting to a New Life
To make ends meet, Mrs. Rita Devi suggested they start a vegetable-selling business. Her husband began purchasing vegetables from Manghanari and selling them in Katihar. However, the business was highly unpredictable, and they often faced losses. Some days, all their invested money would be wiped out, leaving them struggling for food. During the hardest times, Mr. Rajak even took up daily wage labor jobs to earn a little extra money.
To help sustain the family, Rita Devi herself took on responsibilities beyond household chores. She would gather firewood from nearby fields and forests to cook meals. Life was tough, but she refused to give up.
To help sustain the family, Rita Devi herself took on responsibilities beyond household chores. She would gather firewood from nearby fields and forests to cook meals. Life was tough, but she refused to give up.
The 1997 Flood Disaster
In August 1997, a devastating flood caused by the collapse of Nepal’s Bhim Dam submerged the entire Katihar district. Their house in Manghanari was completely flooded overnight. Water filled their home up to three feet, ruining all their belongings, food supplies, and essential items. With no place to stay, they sought refuge at the Manghanari railway station for nearly a month.
Realizing they couldn’t survive in Manghanari, the family decided to move back to Rampur’s Bisrasiya area. Unfortunately, that region was also affected by floodwaters. Despite the hardships, they continued to live there alongside other displaced family members.
In the same year, their second son, Rishikant, was born. The family’s financial condition continued to decline. To survive, both Rita Devi and her husband started working as daily wage laborers, earning just ₹20 per day.
Realizing they couldn’t survive in Manghanari, the family decided to move back to Rampur’s Bisrasiya area. Unfortunately, that region was also affected by floodwaters. Despite the hardships, they continued to live there alongside other displaced family members.
In the same year, their second son, Rishikant, was born. The family’s financial condition continued to decline. To survive, both Rita Devi and her husband started working as daily wage laborers, earning just ₹20 per day.
Facing Extreme Hardships
By 1998, their situation worsened. The family partition resulted in her husband receiving only 10 kg of maize and 8 kg of paddy as his share. Feeding their children became a daily struggle. To provide food, Rita Devi used traditional methods like grinding paddy into rice using a hand mill and making flour from maize. Many days, they had no fuel to cook food, and they had to survive solely on sattu (roasted gram flour).
As a means of survival, her husband worked in other people’s fields, cultivating crops like pointed gourd (parwal) and lentils. Rita Devi also started working in fields, cutting crops for just ₹20 per day, while men earned ₹40 for the same job.
With no other options, she gathered dried cow dung from fields to use as cooking fuel. Since they had no tools or transport, she carried firewood by tying it to her sari. Even her children accompanied her, as there was no one to look after them at home.
As a means of survival, her husband worked in other people’s fields, cultivating crops like pointed gourd (parwal) and lentils. Rita Devi also started working in fields, cutting crops for just ₹20 per day, while men earned ₹40 for the same job.
With no other options, she gathered dried cow dung from fields to use as cooking fuel. Since they had no tools or transport, she carried firewood by tying it to her sari. Even her children accompanied her, as there was no one to look after them at home.
Yet Another Flood and a Near-Tragic Incident
In 1998, yet another massive flood hit their home in Bisrasiya. Water levels rose to nearly four feet, making it impossible to live inside their house. She had to construct a temporary bamboo platform (macha) inside their home, where they lived for days. Cooking became a challenge, so she stored firewood on the roof and made a small stove by cutting a grain storage bin.
One terrifying day, while their eldest son was using a makeshift ladder for toilet needs, he slipped into the strong water currents. The entire family watched in horror as he was swept away by the flood. By sheer luck and quick reflexes, he was rescued—a moment Rita Devi considers as her son’s rebirth.
With the flood worsening and their home on the verge of collapsing, they decided to escape. Using a large iron vessel as a floating device, they moved to a larger boat and eventually reached Sahiganj. From there, they boarded a small ship to Manghanari, marking the end of yet another painful chapter.
One terrifying day, while their eldest son was using a makeshift ladder for toilet needs, he slipped into the strong water currents. The entire family watched in horror as he was swept away by the flood. By sheer luck and quick reflexes, he was rescued—a moment Rita Devi considers as her son’s rebirth.
With the flood worsening and their home on the verge of collapsing, they decided to escape. Using a large iron vessel as a floating device, they moved to a larger boat and eventually reached Sahiganj. From there, they boarded a small ship to Manghanari, marking the end of yet another painful chapter.
From Struggles to Success
Despite these repeated hardships, Rita Devi and her husband never lost hope. They worked relentlessly, doing odd jobs to earn money. With time, they managed to stabilize their financial condition.
Years of struggle and perseverance shaped Mrs. Rita Devi into the strong, resilient woman she is today. From losing everything multiple times to rebuilding her life with sheer determination, she has emerged as an inspiration for many.
Today, she is not just a survivor but a leader. She stands as a pillar of strength, proving that with hard work, patience, and perseverance, one can rise from the most challenging situations and achieve success.
Today, she is not just a survivor but a leader. She stands as a pillar of strength, proving that with hard work, patience, and perseverance, one can rise from the most challenging situations and achieve success.