Gayatri Devi (46) is responsible for delivering doorstep banking services to remote areas, some notorious for robberies even in broad daylight. And she’s not armed with anything apart from her education and determination. Sounds improbable? Not for this stouthearted sociology postgrad!
A business correspondent with Jharkhand Rajya Grameen Bank, Gayatri has proved to be a saviour for hundreds of villagers in the Rania block of Khunti district.
“My husband, Jai Govind Nag, runs a ration shop. I have two sons, both of whom are pursuing their higher studies with loans from the Sakhi Mandal (women’s self-help group),” says Gayatri.
Another woman would have been satisfied with this life but not Gayatri. She didn’t hesitate from her duties even during the Covid-19 lockdown, keeping their financial transactions going smoothly.
Gayatri Devi provided essential services such as linking of Aadhar to bank accounts, payment of pension amounts in cash to senior citizens or even scholarship sums to students. The value of her daily financial transactions usually exceeds Rs 1 lakh, but she shows no fear despite the high crime rate in the area and motorcycle gangs known to rob people at knifepoint.
Amid her bank duties, Gayatri also managed to do her bit to keep Covid-19 infections in check during the shutdown period. She would keep tabs on people coming in from other areas, support the community kitchen programme and provide food to thousands of quarantined people.
Ask her the hows and whys of her contribution, and Gayatri Devi’s answer is simple. “I always wanted to serve the society. The love that I am getting from the people whom I serve is my biggest reward.”
