60-year-old woman carries disabled husband to collectorate, seeks pension and tricycle

A 60-year-old woman, Bindubai, carried her paralyzed husband, Dayashankar, on her back to the Burhanpur collectorate in Madhya Pradesh, seeking assistance. She had requested a tricycle and a disability pension for her husband. The video of her journey went viral on social media, catching the attention of Chief Minister Mohan Yadav.

Upon receiving the video, the Chief Minister directed that the family be given immediate assistance. Dayashankar, who has been paralysed for nine years, had one of his legs amputated during treatment. He has been unable to walk since then, and his wife carries him whenever he needs to travel. Bindubai holds a certificate confirming her husband's paralysis.

In the video, she recounted how officials had initially told her they would offer nothing. Her story is not unique, as unpaid care at home disproportionately falls on women. A survey conducted by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation in 2024 found that 34% of women aged six and above participated in unpaid caregiving, compared to 17.9% of men.

Bindubai's persistence in seeking help, despite being told she would receive nothing, demonstrates a form of leadership that often goes unrecognized. The event "SheSparks," organized by YourStory, will bring together such leaders and changemakers on February 19 and 20.