A Former Manual Scavenger, Usha Chaumar Wins Padma Shri For Working To Abolish Manual Scavenging

In a country with a population of about 133 crore people, there are scores of noble hearts who selflessly do certain things that benefit the society and the country at large. These people often dedicate their entire life for the welfare of the people without expecting anything in return. Hence, to honour these unsung heroes, the country felicitates them with Padma Shri Award every year on Republic Day.

This year, among the 118 awardees of this prestigious award is a woman from Alwar who left no stone unturned to raise awareness against manual scavenging, reported NDTV.

Usha Chaumar, who was once a manual scavenger herself, believes, “No one should do the work of manual scavenging, because it leads to untouchability and those who do this job are looked down by society.”

#PeoplesPadma
Usha Chaumar – Usha ji is an embodiment of strong will and determination. A manual scavenger since the age of 7, through decades of service, she has now become president of Sulabh International.#PadmaAwards2020 @MinistryWCD pic.twitter.com/O5HGRX8U9I

— Mann Ki Baat Updates (@mannkibaat) January 29, 2020

Usha, who now works as the President of Sulabh International Social Service Organisation said, “I never thought that I would ever be able to leave the work of manual scavenging, but Dr Pathak made that happen for me. I left manual scavenging in 2003. There is a drastic change in my life.”

An overwhelmed #UshaChaumar is conveying her heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Bindeshwar Pathak, Founder of @SulabhIntl , for the incredible national honour #PadmaAwards2020 that has come her way. https://t.co/k6WopZO1ga pic.twitter.com/hyd4c2wduy

— Sulabh International (@SulabhIntl) January 26, 2020

She credits the founder of Sulabh International for helping her come out of the ‘manholes’. “Earlier, I used to work as a manual scavenger. It was Dr Bindeshwar Pathak, founder of Sulabh International, who helped me in coming out of that work. I met Prime Minister Narendra Modi four times and I have also tied rakhi to him. He is the one who has time and again raised awareness on the issue of cleanliness.” Ms Chaumar said.

Former manual scavenger, Usha Chaumar, who through decades of service has risen to become President of Sulabh International, at the forefront of environmental sanitation – awarded the Padma Shri for her distinguished service to the Nation. #PadmaAwards2020 #PeoplesPadma pic.twitter.com/TC0s4lF2AK

— Padma Awards (@PadmaAwards) January 29, 2020

She started manual scavenging at the age of seven and was honoured with the Padma award for her outstanding service in social work at the age of 42, reported Republic TV. She says her family is proud of her latest feat. “My family members are very happy with the award and they say that I have made entire Alwar proud,” she added.

We are also proud of you, Usha Chaumar ji!