Anandapur, Dec, 17: Despite facing severe hardships, Kamini Majhi has never begged from anyone. By selling dried fish on a bicycle, she is running her family with dignity and self-respect. Kamini Majhi of Majhi Sahi in Uteipur village under Anandapur Panchayat of Dhamnagar block has today become a living example of self-reliance.
After the death of her husband, Shashikanta Majhi, several years ago, Kamini single-handedly took on the responsibility of her family. Her family now consists only of her daughter, who is currently a first-year +2 student at Jajpur Regional College. To support her daughter’s education and manage household expenses, Kamini took up the dried fish business as her means of livelihood.
Following her husband’s death, Kamini struggled to survive, often facing days of hunger while caring for her young daughter. With no other option left to sustain the family, she finally embraced her traditional family occupation of selling dried fish.
Initially, Kamini carried dried fish on her head and sold it by going from village to village. Later, she managed to buy an old bicycle and began selling her goods using it. Hanging four to five bags on the bicycle’s handle and carrying a crate at the back filled with different varieties of dried fish such as prawn, siramundi, nambanaji, champa, hilsa, sila, and chandi, she travels across villages in the Dobal and Jajpur areas to sell her products.
Starting early in the morning and returning home in the evening, Kamini earns around ₹400 to ₹500 per day. As her house is located near the Baitarani River, she faces the constant threat of floods every year. Although she receives a government pension along with 5 kilograms of rice, she says she is still waiting for a permanent house.
Kamini hopes that if she is allotted a house under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, both mother and daughter will be able to live safely and securely. Her life story of struggle and determination continues to inspire society in many ways.
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