Dr Nruparaj Sahu, Collector, SUBARNPUR
Nandanmal of Sonepur block is a small, remote village. Met Mahendri Nag, a 22-year-old girl from this village, who grew up in the modest house shown behind —a home that truly reflects her family’s poverty. She studied in the village, excelled in her studies, and became the topper in Sanskrit Literature at Rajendra university in her graduation . Overcoming all financial hurdles, she took the initiative to visit a nearby bank and secure an education loan. I saw her loan passbook. She then enrolled at the Rashtriya Sanskrit Vidyapeetha in Tirupati, where she topped her Master’s in Sanskrit (PG) and won a gold medal between 2023 and 2025. Such is the story of this village girl from Nandanmal.
I visited her home today to congratulate her. Her mother, father, elderly uncle, and grandmother were eagerly waiting for me on the road. Bringing out a traditional low stool (pidha) and placing a gamucha on my shoulder, her mother eagerly rushed to wash my feet. Though I humbly refused, she still poured water near my feet and applied a sandalwood tilak on my forehead. I sat inside Mahendri’s house, where she had brought a chair from somewhere, and they offered me bananas and sweets. There was so much warmth, affection, and a sense of belonging in Mahendri’s broken hut.
There was so much love and respect in the words of her parents, uncle, and grandmother. I was delighted to know that they have been sanctioned a house under the Awas Yojana this year, and the first installment has already been credited. Meeting Mahendri and visiting her home will remain unforgettable forever.
May God bless many more Mahendris to be born in such humble home…….
