Archive · 4 Sep 2026
NCW Chief Promises Support to Barefoot Maharashtra Marathon Runner
Ramabai is a 47-year-old woman from Maharashtra who works as a cook.
She is raising her two daughters by herself because her husband died in 2012.
She entered a three-kilometre race to try to win money for their education.
Ramabai had never trained for a race and ran barefoot because her plastic slippers kept slipping.
She wore a saree and finished ahead of younger runners.
Vijaya Rahatkar, who leads the National Commission for Women, called her story inspiring.
Rahatkar promised Ramabai Rs 1 lakh from an award she had received.
She also asked officials to make sure Ramabai and her daughters receive available government support.
NCW Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar spoke with Ramabai Ashok Ranveer after her barefoot marathon win in Beed.
Ramabai, a 47-year-old cook, ran to help fund her two daughters’ education.
She completed the three-kilometre Amrit Daud in Ambajogai wearing a saree and carrying her slipping plastic slippers.
Rahatkar pledged Rs 1 lakh from an award she received and directed officials to help the family access government schemes.
Ramabai has cared for her daughters alone since her husband died in 2012; one daughter prepares for banking exams and the other trains for police recruitment.
- Who
- Ramabai Ashok Ranveer, a 47-year-old cook, and Vijaya Rahatkar, chairperson of the National Commission for Women.
- What
- Rahatkar spoke with Ramabai, pledged Rs 1 lakh, and directed officials to help her family access government schemes after Ramabai won a barefoot marathon.
- When
- Rahatkar spoke to Ramabai on Friday, September 4; the report does not specify the year.
- Where
- The race took place in Ambajogai, in Maharashtra’s Beed district; Ramabai is from Kalamnuri taluk in Hingoli district.
- Why
- Ramabai ran to obtain prize money to support her daughters’ education, while Rahatkar offered assistance after learning about her story.
- Runner
- Ramabai Ashok Ranveer, aged 47
- Race
- Three-kilometre Amrit Daud
- Race location
- Ambajogai, Beed district, Maharashtra
- Race prize
- The announced winner’s prize was Rs 3,000
- NCW pledge
- Vijaya Rahatkar promised Rs 1 lakh from an award she received
- Family situation
- Ramabai has been the sole caretaker of her two daughters since her husband’s death in 2012
- Government assistance
- Hingoli District Collector Rahul Gupta was asked to help the family benefit from government schemes