In saris and slippers, Ramgarh women run for a govt job dream

For many women aspirants, it is a chance to step out of poverty, secure their children’s education and bring stability to their families

Ramgarh: Every morning, before the day’s chores begin, Kavita Kumari, 32, a widow, leaves Soso village and heads to Sidhu-Kanhu ground in Ramgarh town, nearly 8 km away. She has no tracksuit, T-shirt or sports shoes.

So she runs in what she has — a sari.Kavita first came to the ground to watch aspirants train for the home guard recruitment. She then decided to run too. A video of her run later went viral, though she did not know it. A mother of two, she said she initially took eight minutes to complete the 1.6-km run. She now does it in seven minutes, sari and all.At dawn, the ground looks less like a playground than a test of grit. Women in tracksuits run alongside homemakers in saris and slippers, all chasing the same dream — a home guard job.Since the district administration announced recruitment for 284 home guard posts, the ground has become the town’s biggest attraction. The drive, announced on Sept 19 by deputy commissioner Rituraj, will be held from Oct 24 to Nov 5. Hundreds gather every morning, training to the slogan: “Hard labour never goes in vain.”For many women, the 1.6-km run is more than a physical test. It is a chance to step out of poverty, secure their children’s education and bring stability to their families.

The provision of 50% reservation for women, besides a separate 5% quota for widows and divorced women, has brought hope to rural households where opportunities remain limited.Sunita Kumari, 30, of Budha-Khukhra village, also runs in a sari. “Running in a sari is not uncomfortable,” she said, adding that many village women are now inspiring others to join. “I belong to a poor farmer family and my husband could not afford to buy a track, T-shirt and sports shoes,” she said.Among the aspirants is Monika Kumari of Gola, who clocked six minutes and four seconds in the run. She wants to secure a home guard job through training. Soni Kumari, who joined a fitness academy, said the recruitment was a major opportunity for women because of the reservation. For her, the job is “not just employment” but a way to secure her family’s future.Most women finish household chores, tend to children or work in the fields before reaching the ground.

Fitness coach Sikandar Pandey and a martial arts trainer offer free training. A mega race on Oct 2 drew nearly 2,500 aspirants.“These women come straight from the kitchen after finishing morning chores. Some come in saris because they don’t have a T-shirt. But their timing and stamina are remarkable. They say if they get the job, their children’s education and family’s financial security will be ensured,” Pandey said.The recruitment will include the 1.6-km race, height, chest and other tests. Rituraj has directed officials to prepare a roadmap for transparent recruitment based on fitness and eligibility.