Budhani Manjhiyain (1943–2023) was an Indian tribal woman. She was described as the tribal wife of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. He died due to old age in 2023.
Contents
Wiki/Biography
Budhani Manjhiyain (also known as Budhini) was born in 1943 (age 80 years at the time of death) in Jharkhand.
Physical Appearance
Height (Approx): 5′ 4″
Hair Color: Salt and Pepper
Eye colour: black
family and caste
Budhani was born in a family of Santhal tribe in Jharkhand.
parents and siblings
There is not much information about her parents and siblings.
husband and children
Budhani was married to Sudhir Dutta. He was a contract worker. The couple had a daughter named Ratna Dutta.
livelihood
Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC)
Budhani Manjhiyain had worked in Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) project in Jharkhand. The DVC project was India’s first multipurpose project that focused on construction of dams and thermal and hydroelectric plants. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru described it as “the great mansion of independent India”. In 1959, when Budhni was 15, she was selected by the DVC to welcome then Prime Minister Nehru, who insisted that women should be part of the inauguration. On 6 December 1959, Prime Minister Nehru visited Dhanbad to inaugurate the dam on its river. During this incident, Budhni became the center of controversy and was thrown out of her village. In 1962, the DVC fired him without giving any reason and he was forced to become a daily wage worker in Purulia, West Bengal. In 1985, Budhni’s story was brought to the attention of Nehru’s grandson Rajiv Gandhi, who helped him get his job back at DVC. In an interview his grandson Bapi Dutta said,
The Center had received a lot of criticism for its treatment of my grandmother. During his visit to West Bengal, a local MLA narrated his ordeal to the then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. After this he got a job as a contract laborer in DVC around 1985-86.
He continued to work at DVC until his retirement in 2005. After he retired, he insisted that his grandson be given a job at DVC, where he now works.
controversies
“Marriage” to Jawaharlal Nehru.
On 6 December 1959, Prime Minister Nehru visited Budhni’s hometown Dhanbad for the inauguration of a dam. Budhni, who was 15 at the time, was chosen to welcome Nehru. During the inauguration, she gave Nehru a tilak (a red tilak worn on the forehead by Hindus) and a garland and was surprised when Nehru placed a garland around her neck as well. He also made them press the button of the power station, due to which the operation of the dam started.
15 year old Budhni Manjhiyain inaugurating the dam with the then Prime Minister Nehru in Dhanbad.
When Budhani returned to her village after the inauguration, the village head told her that she would have to leave the village because she had married someone outside her tribe. Budhani was a part of the Santhal tribe, according to whose customs, two people who garlanded each other were officially married. The Santhal tribe was strictly against marriage outside their tribe and expelled those who went against the customs. Although he tried to convince the villagers to stay, he was ostracized and received several death threats. He was forced to leave his hometown and live in Panchet, Jharkhand with the help of a man named Sudhir Dutta.
Death
Budhani Manjhiyain died on 17 November 2023 due to “old age-related complications” at the age of 80. After suffering from a long illness, he died with his daughter at his home (a hut) in Panchet, a town in Jharkhand, India. Speaking about his death, his grandson Bapi Dutta said,
What happened to my grandmother was very wrong, but I let it go… In her last moments she did not complain and was at peace when she passed away.
Budhni’s remains were kept in Dhanbad where many people paid homage to him.
Facts/General Knowledge
- Budhni said that she wished to go back to her village in Manbhum district (present-day Jharkhand), but was never able to do so.
Budhani Manhiyan got emotional during an interview
- Budhni was labeled “Nehru’s tribal wife” in 2001 due to news reports covering Budhni’s story. Jawaharlal Nehru, who was instrumental in banishing him from his village, was completely unaware of this controversy.
- In 2012, the newspaper The Hindu falsely reported that Budhni had died in 2011 at the age of 60.
- In 2021, author Sarah Joseph published the book “Budhini”, inspired by the life of Budhini Manjhiyain. Sara researched Budhni’s life for several years before writing the book.
Budhni Manjhiyain (left) with author Sara Joseph, who has written a book inspired by Budhni’s life
Categories: Biography
Source: vcmp.edu.vn