Kanpur: On July 18, a woman from Birsinghpur walked nearly 18 km to Ghatampur to meet district magistrate Jitendra Pratap Singh during Sampoorna Samadhan Diwas. Little did she know that the journey would not only change her life but also those of her two minor daughters.
During the next Sampoorna Samadhan Diwas on Sept 19, Rinki did not have to undertake the long journey. By the time she reached the Ghatampur tehsil office, the public grievance hearing had ended and the district magistrate was on his way to his vehicle. However, he stopped to listen to her problems, setting in motion a series of developments that would transform the family’s circumstances. Instead, the DM visited her home to enquire about her well-being and inspect the progress of a permanent house being built for the family. The house is being constructed at the initiative of the district administration with community support. Several of the family’s immediate concerns have now been addressed. An Antyodaya ration card has been issued and an LPG connection provided. Rinki has also started receiving the destitute women’s pension, while the family has been issued an Ayushman card to help meet medical expenses. Her differently abled daughter has been provided a Unique Disability ID card, enabling her to access welfare schemes meant for persons with disabilities. Both daughters have also been covered under the Chief Minister Kanya Sumangala Yojana. Rinki has also secured employment as a cook at a nearby primary school, providing the family with a steady source of income.
What began as an 18-km walk driven by desperation has given her family a renewed sense of security and a more hopeful future. For Rinki, govt welfare schemes and administrative intervention have become a beacon of hope.