Belagavi: Mom sells earrings, buys phone to help daughter attend online classes

BELAGAVI: A 62-year-old Devadasi (Jogati) woman sold her earrings to buy a smartphone to ensure her daughter attends online classes. Prior to the lockdown, Sarojani Bevanakatti begged for a living, a traditional way of earning a livelihood among Devadasi women. She earned between Rs 50 and Rs 100 a day, but with the pandemic hitting her income, Sarojani sold her earnings for Rs 11,000 and bought her daughter a phone for Rs 7,000.
With classes now being conducted online, Sarojani’s 16-year-old daughter, an SSLC student, had no means to attend. A teacher suggested she visit a neighbour’s house and follow lessons being aired on television, but her daughter was banned from the neighbour’s house because of her Devadasi background.
“My daughter is a remarkably good student and has high aspirations,” Sarojani said. “How can I deny her an education since she has the ability to change our lives?” In North Karnataka over 5.5 lakh children do not have access to television, let alone smartphones.
Sarojani’s 29-year-old son lost a leg in an accident and is bedridden. Now she works as a maid and security guard. “Now I earn about Rs 1,000 a month and we dependent on free rations. I made a pledge to educate my daughter, and come what may I will help her,” she said.