Mayurbhanj (Odisha): Hailing from a humble background, 58-year-old Dr Damayanti Beshra is the first tribal woman to be honoured with Padma Shri. An expert in Odia language, Beshra's research work in Santali language gave her wide recognition.
A poet, writer and a research scholar, Dr Damayanti Beshra is the eldest daughter of late Rajmali Majhi and Pungi Majhi.
While speaking to ETV Bharat, Dr Damayanti Beshra said, ''I have been writing in Santhali and Odia language since my childhood. But my books got published after I got married. My husband and my family have supported me throughout in achieving new heights".
''Being born in a tribal family, I had to undergo a lot of hardships but I chose not to give up. A woman should never underestimate herself and should move ahead to pursue her dreams. I don't know what future holds for me, so I am focusing at the present'', she said.
"Tribal women section remain as illiterate or mainly lack education. A lot needs to be done to take them forward in the field of education'', Dr Beshra added.
Winner of Central Sahitya Academy Award for her contribution in the field of translation in Santhali language, Dr Beshra is a living inspiration that one can achieve new heights with strong will power and determination.
Her two award-winning research works –'Pandit Raghunath Murmu' and ‘Chaichampiru Inji Dishan’ have been published.
Besides this, several books, essays, poems, criticism based works have also been published.
Dr Beshra is now working as a reader and heading the Odia department in Maharaja Purna Chandra autonomous college.
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