Society is often enamored in rejoicing about the mothers of celebrities on International Mother’s Day. However, there are many unsung mothers who are fighting against poverty, social stereotype and stigma to work for the development of their children with lots of hardships.
Take the case of Chinmayee Das, who was known as Gagan Bihari Das before identifying herself as transgender. The transgender is showering her motherly love on many poor villagers in Angul district. Because of her social responsibility, humanity, and kindhearted nature, she is considered as a mother by many.
When Chinmayee sees poor, neglected, and downtrodden people and patients, she extends her helping hands towards them immediately. Though she is a transgender, she has overcome social stigma and stereotypes gradually and most of the people have accepted her motherly love and service towards the poor.
In her childhood, she had cherished an ambition to be a model. However, she couldn’t fulfill her ambition due to social, economical and family barriers.
Born in Posal village under Tirtol block of Jagatsinghpur district, she is now based in Jarapada at Angul and running a ladies corner shop there following lots of hardships. Having dedicated herself to the cause of helpless families, she spends her whole income from the ladies corner towards social service.
Though she is transgender, she has won several hearts and inspired many people by providing motherly love and service to hundreds of helpless people.
"I feel very bad when I see people struggling. I have been serving the elderly persons who are abandoned by their children. They now consider me their everything," said Chinmayee.
Rupa Bira’s tale from Mohana in Gajapati case is another classic case of true motherhood in the face of poverty and adversity.
Though Rupa’s husband passed away from cancer, she has not surrendered herself before her destiny. She is fighting poverty and hardships to nurture her three children. She is washing dishes in a hotel every day to make her living and nurture her two sons and one daughter.
Though she is getting Rs 500 and 20 kg of rice as government help, it is not enough to make a living. She has to work hard throughout the day to arrange two square meals per day. Even she doesn’t have a proper roof over her head. She along with her children live in a dilapidated thatched house in someone else’s land. However, her struggle for her children still continues.
“It’s becoming hard even to arrange food for my children every day. I have no alternative but to work very hard to nurture my children. There is no one to help me,” said Rupa.
Meanwhile, District Child Protection Officer Arun Kumar Tripathi has assured that both the sons of Rupa will be admitted to the education-deprived hostel in Paralakhemundi soon.
“We will ensure the education of the boys. Moreover, we will recommend the admission of Rupa’s daughter to Kasturba Gandhi Girl’s School in Mohana,” said Tripathi.