Bhubaneswar: In a story that embodies resilience and hope, Shrimati Surekha Mallick, a bangle seller from the dusty streets of Binika in Balangir, has found herself walking the hallowed grounds of Rashtrapati Bhawan.
Her journey from a life of hardship to being an honored guest at the 79th Independence Day celebrations is a testament to the transformative power of a home and the human spirit.
Life dealt Surekha a difficult hand. With her husband bedridden for years due to a rare respiratory illness, she became the sole provider and caregiver for her family.
In a small, dilapidated kaccha house, she worked tirelessly, selling bangles to ensure her children were raised with dignity. Her life was a constant struggle, a battle fought with meager earnings and immense courage.
Hope arrived in 2019 in the form of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban)PMAY . With financial support, Surekha was able to build a modest pucca house, a sanctuary with two rooms.
One was a place of comfort for her ailing husband, and the other, a safe haven for her children. Though her husband passed away earlier this year, the house stands strong as a symbol of her resilience and a pillar of security for her family.
Surekha’s inspiring journey caught the attention of the Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs (MoHUA), and she was selected to represent Odisha at the 79th Independence Day festivities.
The Odisha Urban Housing Mission (OUHM) facilitated her and her son Alok’s trip to New Delhi, where she attended the prestigious At Home Reception hosted by the President.
This honor, she said with emotion, belongs to every family that has found dignity through homeownership. “I am deeply grateful to the Hon’ble Prime Minister for PMAY (Urban), which has given us more than shelter — it has given us hope,” she shared.
Dr. Krushna Chandra Mohapatra, Minister for Housing & Urban Development, hailed her as a shining example of the program’s impact. “Surekha Mallick’s life proves that a home can transform a life. Her journey from Binika to Rashtrapati Bhawan is a matter of pride for Odisha and a shining example of the impact of PMAY (Urban).”
Surekha’s story is not just her own; it is the story of every family striving for a better future, a poignant reminder that with a little support and a lot of heart, a house can become a home, and a life of struggle can transform into a tale of inspiration.