In Brief
- Kavita Kumari, a widowed brick kiln worker from Soso village in Ramgarh, completed a 1,600-metre practice run barefoot and in a saree within eight minutes.
- Having lost her husband in 2023, Kumari is preparing for the official Jharkhand Home Guard physical examination scheduled from October 24 to November 5.
- The recruitment drive covers 284 Home Guard positions in Ramgarh district, featuring a 50% reservation for female candidates and an additional 5% quota for widows and divorced women.
A video showcasing the resilience of a widowed mother in Jharkhand has drawn widespread attention across social media after she completed a 1,600-metre sprint barefoot while wearing a traditional saree. Kavita Kumari, a resident of Soso village under Dulmi block in Ramgarh district, achieved an 'Excellent' grade timing during a practice trial held at a local stadium in preparation for the upcoming Home Guard recruitment physical test.
Facing severe financial hardship following the death of her husband Deepak Kumar Mahato in 2023, Kumari works as a daily-wage brick kiln labourer to support her two young children and elderly in-laws.
Unable to afford running shoes or sportswear, Kumari relies on early morning practice runs and guidance from local free training initiatives.
The official Home Guard physical evaluation—scheduled to run from October 24 to November 5—serves as the primary qualifying phase for 284 open posts in the district, where 50% of seats are reserved for female applicants and an additional 5% quota is earmarked for widows. Kumari expressed hope that her performance during the official trials will secure her a stable role in the force.
