Maharashtra government promises help to woman who ran marathon barefoot

Ramabai Ranveer won the Amrit Daud marathon barefoot in a saree to buy books for her daughters. Her story has now prompted the Maharashtra government to promise financial support for the family and the girls' education.

In Short

• Ramabai Ranveer won Rs 3,000 running barefoot in a saree at Amrit Daud marathon.
• She ran barefoot after her slippers slipped early in the race.
• Maharashtra govt promises financial support for her family.

A 47-year-old mother from Maharashtra who ran barefoot in a saree to win Rs 3,000 for her daughters' education has now received a promise of financial support from the state government.

Ramabai Ranveer, a resident of Ambajogai in Maharashtra, captured attention after winning the Amrit Daud marathon despite running much of the race barefoot.

Following media coverage of her story, Maharashtra Social Justice Minister Sanjay Shirsat said the state government would provide suitable financial assistance to support Ramabai's family and her daughters' education.

Ramabai had entered the local marathon for a very specific reason. The first prize was Rs 3,000, and she hoped to use the money to buy books for her daughters.

Her journey to the finish line had made the victory even more remarkable.

Dressed in a simple saree and wearing slippers, Ramabai had begun the race alongside younger participants in sportswear. But when her slippers started slipping shortly after the race began, she took them off, held them in her hand and continued running barefoot.

She pushed ahead while navigating the road and managing her saree, eventually crossing the finish line first as spectators cheered.

For Ramabai, however, the marathon was about much more than winning a race.

After her husband died in an accident in Mumbai, she had been left to raise her two daughters alone. Despite financial difficulties, she remained determined to ensure they continued their education.

She took up work as a cook at an academy in Ambajogai to support the family while her daughters prepared for competitive examinations. Her elder daughter, Pooja, had been preparing for police recruitment, while her younger daughter was studying for banking examinations.

Pooja had also participated in the marathon and finished second. She had encouraged her mother to take part but reportedly did not expect her to win.

Ramabai had earlier said that while running, she could think only about her daughters' future. The Rs 3,000 prize money was meant to help buy books for them.

Her determination to run barefoot for that modest prize has now brought her story to the attention of the Maharashtra government, which has promised to step in with financial assistance for the family and the daughters' education.

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