As Ayodhya prepared for the historic consecration ceremony of Sri Ram Lala, the Sri Ramjanambhoomi Tirth Kshetra Trust (SRJTKT) surprised many by extending invitations to ordinary citizens. Among the fortunate invitees were Santoshi Durga, a health worker from Chhattisgarh, and Bidula Bai, an 85-year-old ragpicker from Rajim.
Who is Chhattisgarh’s Santoshi Durga?
Santoshi Durga, a resident of Naharpur village in Kanker, Chhattisgarh, works as a sweeper in the health department. Her unique story unfolded when she became her father’s companion in around 700 postmortem cases.
In 2004, she made a pact with her father, promising to assist him in postmortems without consuming liquor, a requirement for the task. Little did she know that her dedication to her work would lead to an invitation to the grand ceremony of Sri Ram Lala’s consecration.
Santoshi Durga, while telling the story of taking up post-mortem work, said that her father also used to work in the same health center, Narharpur. While doing postmortem, he used to consume alcohol to avoid the smell and gruesomeness of the dead body, due to which he became addicted.
She told that when she would request her father to give up alcohol, her father would simply reply in one line – ‘No one in his senses can dissect a dead body. It is not everyone’s cup of tea to bear its stench and rot.
Taking her father’s advice into consideration, she placed a bet that she could do the post-mortem of the dead body without taking drugs. This happened in 2004, since then she has been continuously doing this work better.
A Reward for Good Deeds:
Expressing her surprise and joy, Santoshi believes that receiving the invitation is a result of good karma from her previous birth. “I have never thought of receiving such an invitation, even in my wildest dreams. I must have done something good in my previous birth to get such a fortunate opportunity to see the Ram Lala,” she shared emotionally.
Santoshi, who supports a family of six, is now receiving accolades from various quarters, including Chhattisgarh’s Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai.
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai extended his good wishes to Santoshi Durga, acknowledging her dedication and unexpected reward. The Chief Minister’s Office tweeted about the recognition, stating that Santoshi is one of the fortunate individuals to witness the historic consecration ceremony of Sri Ram Lala.
Bidula Bai’s Unique Invitation:
In another heartwarming story, 85-year-old Bidula Bai, a ragpicker from Rajim in Gariyaband, was personally invited to the grand ceremony in Ayodhya. Reports indicate that workers of Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) approached Bidula Bai, who had donated Rs 20 for the Ram temple in 2021. Her devotion to Bhagwan Ram and her selfless donation caught the attention of VHP workers, inspiring them to extend a special invitation to her.
Bidula Bai’s gesture of donating half of her earned money for the construction of the Ram temple deeply moved the VHP workers. Her dedication and love for Bhagwan Ram prompted them to approach senior office bearers to ensure she received an invitation to the consecration ceremony. It’s worth noting that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to lead the Vedic rituals during the ceremony on January 22.
Positive Takeaway
The stories of Santoshi Durga and Bidula Bai highlight the recognition of ordinary citizens who have shown exceptional dedication and devotion. As they prepare to attend the historic consecration ceremony of Sri Ram Lala, these everyday heroes serve as a testament to the inclusivity and warmth of the event. The surprising invitations showcase the belief that every individual, regardless of their background or profession, can play a significant role in celebrating cultural and religious milestones.
