Class 8 Dropout To Speaker At Harvard, Ruma Devi's Journey Is Truly Inspiring

Can you imagine someone hailing from a third-world nation, lacking formal education, and without any schooling, standing before an audience of Harvard University students at a conference? It might appear almost too incredible to believe, yet Ruma Devi from Barmer, Rajasthan, has turned this seemingly implausible scenario into reality, a testament of immense pride for her homeland.

Raised in a lower-middle-class family, Ruma Devi's educational journey faced early disruption as she was compelled to abandon her studies. Nonetheless, her life's trajectory led her to an awe-inspiring accomplishment: gracing the role of a guest speaker at the prestigious Harvard University. This remarkable odyssey of hers is one that merits our admiration and respect.

Hailing from Barmer, Ruma Devi encountered the loss of her mother at a tender age. Following this tragic event, her father distanced himself from her, entrusting her care to her uncle and aunt, as he ventured into a new marriage. The guardianship she found herself under did not harbor aspirations for her education, limiting her schooling to the eighth grade in a local institution. Guided by her grandmother, Ruma embarked on the path of sewing and embroidery, skills that she honed from an early stage. Marital vows arrived early for her, at the age of 17, a customary practice in her community.

While Ruma's aptitude for sewing and embroidery flourished, her talents remained confined within the walls of her home. Her proficiency solely extended to crafting her own attire, as she was denied the opportunity to apply her skills beyond the domestic sphere. With her in-laws' livelihood intertwined with agricultural yields, financial instability became a constant. Witnessing these economic challenges, Ruma began contemplating methods to contribute to her household's welfare.

In 2008, Ruma experienced the heartbreak of losing her firstborn child merely 48 hours after birth. This sorrowful episode, although deeply painful, spurred her determination. She rallied her in-laws and two fellow village women, rallying them to join her in work. Overcoming the societal constraints that typically restricted women from employment beyond the home, Ruma and her companions managed to pool their resources, each contributing Rs 100, which enabled them to procure a second-hand sewing machine. Thus commenced their journey into sewing and embroidery, a craft that would become the foundation of their success.

Ruma's guidance and expertise spread amongst her fellow women, leading to the astonishing progress of their collective efforts. In due course, her network expanded, and she extended training and employment to an impressive 30,000 women from rural households. Through her affiliations with Rural Development and Chetna Sansthan, she acquired numerous opportunities for work. One of the apex moments arrived when she was invited to share her journey and insights at the 17th Annual India Conference, co-hosted by Mahatma Jyoti Rao Phule University and Harvard University.

Ruma Devi's sphere of influence transcended geographical boundaries as she ventured to various countries including Germany, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Singapore, Thailand, and Sri Lanka. In 2018, she was bestowed the Nari Shakti Puraskar, the highest civilian honor celebrating women in India, a recognition truly deserving of her remarkable contributions.