From Struggle to Success: Rajasthan’s Pana Devi Inspires on International Women’s Day

March 8, 2026

Churu (Rajasthan): The story of Rajasthan’s Pana Devi is one of courage, determination and indomitable spirit that withstood umpteen challenges, right from childhood to adult age and still went on to script a success story that many would believe to be near impossible.

From a young age, Pana Devi overcame struggles, took the hardships and struggles head on and went to set up an entrepreneurial venture on her own, which is rightly hogging the spotlight.

From Financial Struggles to Entrepreneurship

Pana Devi, who couldn’t afford studies due to the family’s financial condition, is running a successful sanitary napkin-making unit and has also been personally applauded by Droupadi Murmu.

Early Life and Responsibilities

A resident of Aspalsar village, 55 kilometres from Churu district, she studied till grade five and was married at the age of 12. Two years after marriage, she moved to her in-laws’ home and started her family. At a very tender age, a lot of responsibilities fell on her shoulders.

She worked as a labourer under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, tilling the soil.

Continuing Education After Marriage

At the insistence of her father, she pursued education after marriage and studied till Class 8 at the Anganwadi centre. She couldn’t get employment in Anganwadi due to her disability.

Turning Point with Rajivika

In 2016, an association with Rajivika laid the foundation of transformation in her life. Under Rajivika, she started receiving an honorarium of Rs 2,250, which she gathered and, further taking a small bank loan, started her enterprise.

Side by side, she also pursued studies and went on to complete her graduation.

Starting the Sanitary Napkin Unit

Her big opportunity came when she was offered the opportunity to become a ‘methas’ in NREGA.

Taking small loans from Rajivika, she began manufacturing sanitary napkins. Initially, the work was done using a small machine, but it expanded over time. The District Collector in Siddharth Siyag provided Pana Devi with a larger sanitary napkin machine from his budget. Today, around 20 women work together in her unit.

Inspiring Women Through Education

Pana Devi, however, hasn’t limited herself to just herself. She is inspiring the women of her village to pursue education. She has inspired nearly 40 women to pursue education.

She has trained hundreds of women associated with Rajivika in seven to eight districts. She has also received various trainings and is passing on the benefits to other women. Her efforts have led to many women gaining employment in various fields.

Meeting the President – A Proud Moment

Her achievements also earned her an opportunity to meet Droupadi Murmu, which she considers the proudest moment of her life.

Pana Devi says that struggle has been with her since the beginning of her life, but now she is never afraid of it; rather, it has given her the strength to move forward.

Officials Praise Her Efforts

Priyanka Chaudhary and Manju, officials with Rajasthan Rural Development, say that Pana Devi’s story teaches us that no matter how great the struggle, if courage and hard work are combined, success is certain.