Visually impaired MP tribal girl gets bank job, returns Rs 10,000

Sharada Dawar is visually impaired from birth. But the physical handicap has not stopped the Bhil tribal girl from looking ahead with confidence and pride.

Updated on: May 1, 2016, 15:04:42 IST

Hindustan Times | By Ritesh Mishra, Indore

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Sharada Dawar is visually impaired from birth. But the physical handicap has not stopped the Bhil tribal girl from looking ahead with confidence and pride.

Sharada with collector Shekhar Verma at collector's office in Alirajpur. (HT photo)

On Monday, Sharada, 24, paid a visit to the district collector of Alirajpur in Madhya Pradesh to return Rs 10,000 he had given her a few months ago to complete her studies.

Last week Sharada was selected as a probationary officer in the Bank of India, the result of sheer hard work for the daughter of a marginal farmer in a tribal-dominated village in Jobat teshil, around 170 kms from Indore.

“I returned the money to the collector because I got selected and I thought the money could be used by the collector to help any needy or poor for his/her studies,” Sharada told Hindustan Times on Thursday.

She had approached the collector with a request to help her complete her graduation. He handed over a demand draft of Rs 10,000.

For the past few days, Sharada’s story of self–respect and struggle has dominated Facebook posts and WhatsApp messages in Madhya Pradesh.

“She is now an example amongst the tribals of Jobat. I salute her self-respect,” the collector said.

Congratulatory messages have followed Sharada’s act.

“Many people from various places called me and congratulated me for my self-respect and success. Some senior officers of the administration and education department came to village to meet me and said that they will honour me,” she said.

The proud people of Jobat are also planning to honour Sharada for her achievement.

“In the next few days, we will organise a ceremony for Sharada,” said Rajesh Bhil, a resident of Jobat and tribal leader.

What makes Sharada’s achievement all the more special is the fact that Alirajpur has one of the lowest literacy rates in the country, an official said.

Sharada is the eldest of three daughters and a son. She is the only one in the family with visual impairment.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ritesh Mishra
Ritesh Mishra is the State Correspondent for Chhattisgarh with Hindustan Times. He reports on Maoism, internal security, politics, mining, governance, and major developments shaping the state. Based in Raipur, he has covered Chhattisgarh since 2016, reporting extensively from the Bastar region and other conflict-affected areas. With nearly two decades of experience in journalism, Ritesh has built a reputation for ground reporting from some of India's most challenging terrains. His coverage spans Left-Wing Extremism, counter-insurgency operations, elections, tribal affairs, environmental issues, infrastructure, mining, and socio-economic developments. He has reported on major security operations, policy initiatives, wildlife crime, and the changing dynamics of conflict and development in Central India. Before moving to Chhattisgarh, Ritesh spent eight years reporting from Madhya Pradesh, covering politics, administration, crime, development, and social issues. Throughout his career, he has reported on various forms of extremism in Central India, combining field reporting with in-depth analysis to produce accurate, balanced, and impactful journalism. Prior to joining Hindustan Times, Ritesh worked with The Pioneer and The Free Press Journal, where he covered a wide range of beats and honed his skills in political, investigative, and field reporting. His reporting is marked by exclusive stories, extensive fieldwork, and a commitment to factual, on-the-ground journalism that brings complex issues to a wider audience.Read More

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