Bhagirathi Devi
# 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. Bhagarithi Devi initially worked as a sweeper in the block development office in Narkatiyaganj, West Champaran district with ₹800 (US$10) as salary.

She hails from a Mahadalit family from Narkatiaganj in Bihar. Bhagirathi again contested from Ramnagar assembly seat in 2015 Bihar Legislative Assembly election against Congress candidate and won the seat. 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. 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.

## Award

In 2019, she was honoured with the Padma Shri Award.

## 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.

