New Delhi: The tale of Patna’s Sanju Devi goes beyond simple sanitation to include breaking social conventions and redefining gender roles in a setting that men dominate.
The inspiring tale of Patna’s Sanju Devi has been shared by the Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs, who has called her the “beacon of change.”
Sanju Devi has become a symbol of hope in the busy metropolis of Patna, where the problems with waste management are frequently visible on the streets. Sanju, a Bihar resident, set out on her path with the modest but sincere goal of improving the cleanliness of her neighborhood. When she saw firsthand how commonplace open dumping and public littering are, she realized that individual action is the first step toward bringing about change. However, the Ministry added that Sanju’s story is about more than just cleanliness—it’s also about challenging social expectations and redefining gender roles in a setting that is primarily focused on men.
At first, she was dubious about the idea of operating an e-rickshaw and faced criticism from people around her in addition to her own anxieties.
Although it was unheard of for a woman to drive in her community, she made the decision to start. Sanju received training with the help of the Patna Municipal Corporation, equipping herself with the knowledge and abilities required to operate the car and the streets. She took on door-to-door garbage collection while she was learning to drive, which made a big difference in the city’s waste management initiatives.
In addition to making a positive impact on her own life, Sanju’s dedication to the sanitation campaign inspired other women in her community to join her. Many were motivated to follow her after seeing her tenacity and newly acquired independence. Together, they started to question gender norms and rethink their social roles. According to the Ministry, these women’s strong pay from the Corporation gave them financial security, allowing them to support their families and experience a sense of empowerment and security that had previously seemed unattainable.
“Sanju’s inspirational journey is more than just a singular success story; it embodies the spirit of the Swachh Bharat Mission, which tackles problems like open waste dumping, public littering, and inadequate waste management infrastructure in order to create a garbage-free nation.