Patna: Runki Devi, 48, a dalit woman from Varuna village near Patna in Bihar has become a local role model by selling her mangalsutra for building toilet.
According to the news reported in The New Indian Express, disappointed by the repeated rebuke by her husband for constructing a toilet, she sold her gold studded mangalsutra which fetched her only Rs 9000 which she found inadequate to construct a decent toilet. She then sold her gold ear rings and got Rs 4000 more and the toilet was built.
Runki Devi said that “My husband was perplexed when he saw people bringing bricks, cement and sand to my house. He was also annoyed when he learnt that I had sold my mangalsutra and was getting a toilet built. But he was soon okay with it and helped in the construction”.
When the Villagers became aware of the new development in the village, all were praise for her. The BDO Rakesh Kumar said that “This is an exemplary act by an unassuming village woman and it sends out a positive social message.” and he felicitated Runki devi with a shawl at programme of women associated self help groups organised at Budhebachak Village.
Siasat Web Team
Mangalsutra sold for toilet: Dalit woman chooses modesty over customs
