Bhubaneswar, Jan. 15 -- Santoshi Deo of Odisha's Keonjhar district has emerged as a compelling symbol of resilience, choice, and women's empowerment, showing how determination combined with timely institutional support can transform personal hardship into leadership and national inspiration.
Married at the age of 16 in Haryana, Santoshi endured years of dowry harassment and domestic violence.
Eventually abandoned by her husband, she returned to her native Keonjhar as a school dropout and single mother, solely responsible for raising her daughter with dignity and hope. Rather than succumbing to adversity, she chose to reclaim her future with courage and resolve.
Inspired by seeing a woman auto-rickshaw driver in Chennai, Santoshi challeng...