Overcoming poverty and abuse to be MP civil servant

Married at an early age, Savita Pradhan Gaur survived an abusive marriage and financial struggles before her determination and hard work paid off. She is currently the state’s first woman joint director in the urban administration department and also runs a YouTube channel called ‘Himmat wali Ladkiyan’ (Brave Girls). Pradhan narrates her story – in her own words. 

I was born in a tribal family in Madhya Pradesh’s Mandai village, located 100 km from Balaghat. There was massive poverty. When we were children, we used to gather tendu leaves used for rolling bidis, mahua flowers and cow dung and work on the small patch of land that my family owned.

In a family of seven, we were five brothers and sisters. I loved studying. But the primary reason we were sent to school was a scholarship of Rs 75. The money meant a lot to us. Two uniforms per year and the daliya (porridge) that we received daily were additional attractions.

I became the first girl from my village to clear Class 10. Thereafter, I enrolled myself in a high school in Palhera, a village about 7 km away. The bus fare of two rupees for a round trip was unaffordable. My mother had to take up a small-time job to pay for the fare. Finally, we relocated to the village where my school was located.

My class in high school had 22 boys and just two girls. I was one of them. 

I studied science and aspired to become a doctor. Things were fine until then. But then a proposal for my marriage came and my life turned upside down.

Life after marriage was hell. My in-laws, it seemed, did not get a daughter-in-law. They treated me more as a domestic help.

My husband, some 11 years older than me, made matters worse. Life in Bhopal where I had come to live was an extended nightmare. Beatings were regular. I was forbidden from talking, smiling or even watching television.

I wasn’t even allowed proper food. It forced me to hide a few chapatis that I would make for the family and eat them while hiding in the toilet.

I turned suicidal. But then I learnt I was pregnant.

Atharv was born. Within a year and some months, my second child Yajush arrived.

But the abuse at home continued.

Then one day, my husband attempted to physically harm Yajush. I gathered all my strength and snatched the child from him.

With my two children and no more than Rs 2,700, I moved out to stay independently.

My parents and siblings were supportive and I enrolled for BA in Public Administration. I topped the examination of Barkatullah University, Bhopal. All the while, I ran a beauty parlour and gave tuitions to earn extra money.

Then I came to know about state civil services. I took the examination for it and cracked it the very first time.

When I was 24 years old, I was posted as a chief municipal officer.

But my marriage was still on rocks and my husband continued to be abusive. I was bleeding after a brutal assault and my colleagues encouraged me to go to the police.

I got a divorce ultimately. The children stayed with me.

Once free from the abusive relationship, life turned beautiful again. 

My children are now in college. They often take me out for long drives and leisurely dinners.

Meanwhile, I have climbed up the government ladder. Currently, I am the joint director, urban administration for Gwalior and Chambal. I am the first woman to occupy that position.

I run a YouTube channel. I have named it ‘Himmat wali Ladkiyan’ (Brave Girls). I want no girl to suffer in silence.

I have found love as well. I came across Harsh. My children liked him too.

Then one day, he came with a baraat. We have rebuilt our lives again.