"As long as I breathe, I will educate my daughters. After I stop breathing, whatever happens, will happen. But I will definitely fulfill my duty as a mother."
When Ramabai Ranveer says this, it is not just enthusiasm, it shows the determination born from the struggle of her entire life.
The entire Maharashtra saw this 47-year-old mother living in Ambajogai in Beed district on 29 August 2026. Because he had won the three kilometer race barefoot.
But this story is not just about victory in one race. This is the story of a mother's struggle for her daughters' education.
'Amrit Run Marathon' was organized in Ambajogai on 29th August. Ramabai had not practiced running.
He did not have sports shoes. There was no tracksuit either. She had a saree on her body and simple slippers on her feet. This was the only thing he had for the race.
She says, "My daughter came to me in the morning and said - Mother, I want to go running."
I asked, "Where?"
She said, "There is a competition near here. There will be a prize in it. I want to buy notebooks and pens."
His younger daughter is studying in Nanded. She was asking for money for books for the last few days.
Ramabai says, "He did not talk to me for eight days because I could not give him money. When I heard about the competition, I decided that I will run the race, I have to win this race at any cost."
During the three kilometer run, his slippers were falling off his feet again and again. At last she picked up the slippers in her hand and kept running barefoot.
When the race ended, the first place was his. He received three thousand rupees as reward.
When he was asked, "What did you do with that money?" So Ramabai's answer was in just one sentence.
"Given three thousand rupees to my daughter for books."
But the real race of Ramabai's life had started much earlier.
Her husband died in the year 2012. After this, the responsibility of two younger daughters and the entire family fell on his shoulders.
His own education was only till seventh grade. But she always remained adamant that her daughters should not leave their studies midway.
His daughter Pooja Ranveer says, "When Papa passed away, we were very young. If my mother wanted, she could have remarried but she did not do so. She decided to work hard for us all her life."
Ramabai herself tells that whatever work she got, she did it.
She says, "I worked in people's fields. Took contracts for soybeans. Took contracts for gram. Collected turmeric from the fields, boiled it and sold it. Whatever work I got, I did."
Today she works as a cook at Gyandeep Academy, Ambajogai. She has been preparing food for the students for the last one year.
His elder daughter is preparing for the police recruitment examination in the same academy. His younger daughter is preparing for competitive examinations in Nanded.
Professor Datta Darade of Gyandeep Academy says, "He has set an example not only for Maharashtra but for the entire country. He has shown that no matter how many difficulties come, they can be faced only with the strength of self-confidence."
Ramabai's dreams are not very big, but they are completely clear.
She says, "Just as Dr. Babasaheb gave cool shade to the world, I want to give the same to my two daughters."
For them 'cool shade' means a safe and respectable life.
She further says, "They should live happily under one roof. They should not have to go in the mud nor work in the sun and rain. My daughters should not have to work like I do."
Their only wish is that their daughters become officers, stand on their own feet and do not have to live a life of labour.
The video of Ramabai running barefoot went viral on social media. He was appreciated all over Maharashtra.
After this, the national media also paid attention to the story of his struggle. Newspapers like The Hindu, Times of India and Economic Times also published news about him.
The special thing is that perhaps Ramabai is not even aware that her struggle has been discussed in the entire country.
What is most important to them? Daughters' fees, books and their further education.
After Ramabai's story came to light, many people called it an "inspirational story of struggle and passion".
But writer and researcher Somnath Gholwe sees this story from a different perspective.
He writes, "India's middle class may find this to be a story of passion and struggle. Many will appreciate the mother's hard work and sacrifice. But how many will wonder why such a situation befell her?"
According to Gholwe, Ramabai did not run in just one competition. She is also fighting with the society, economy and political system for the education of her daughters.
He says, "We see the mother's struggle, but do not see the other side. This incident also exposes the shortcomings of the government, social system and economy."
He has raised an important question in his post. Ramabai came into limelight because she won the race.
But there are so many mothers who are educating their children every day by working in agriculture, labor and unorganized sector. Does society pay attention to their struggle?
Gholwe further writes, "Everyone came to know about this mother because she ran for the education of her daughters. But there are so many mothers who are running like this every day."
However, it is important to look at this idea from a social and political perspective.
