Shanti Devi, a resident of Manori village in Soha Panchayat, Sonavarsha block, Bihar, has become an inspiring example for other working women by providing training to IAS officers. With a 6th class education, she actively engages with farmers at the grassroots level. This year, Shanti Devi seized the opportunity to serve as a trainer at the Lal Bahadur Shastri Academy of Administration in Mussoorie, imparting valuable lessons to IAS officers about group work in CLF Cluster Level Federation, Farmer Producer Company, and the subsequent economic progress and teamwork.

Shanti Devi provided training to IAS officers on maize cultivation, production, and marketing from May 31 to June 2. She mentioned that there were 220 IAS officers from different states across the country at the training center. Shanti Devi also shared her experiences with everyone through a mic, explaining how she increased her income by starting farming.

Shanti Devi's life was marked by early struggles, initially relying on others for her children's education. Her circumstances have since improved significantly. She once toiled as a laborer in the fields, depending on the market for fertilizers and seeds. Then she joined Jeevika and organised compost disposal in the village. Shanti Devi, a mother of two sons and a daughter, also cares for her mother-in-law. Her financial condition was initially challenging, but after joining a group and becoming the secretary of the Maize Purchasing Company in 2018, she began purchasing maize, taking significant steps towards self-reliance. Today, she not only supports her children's education but also efficiently manages her household.

Shanti Devi explained that after joining Jeevika, she connected 1800 women from nearby villages and formed a group. They collected around Rs 2 lakh, taking a contribution of Rs 500 from each woman, and started the maize business. This initiative allowed farming resources like seeds and fertilizers to be provided locally, leading to increased farming activities. Shanti Devi has now rented two warehouses in Manori and Begusarai. Her company's turnover is expected to exceed Rs 7 crore this year, with maize purchases reaching one thousand tonnes.

She mentioned that when she was selected to go to Mussoorie, she initially couldn't believe that she had the opportunity to train IAS officers, the individuals responsible for running the country with their intelligence and skills. She traveled to Mussoorie by flight from Patna to Delhi and then by road to Dehradun. There were four women from Bihar who provided training, and they were honored for their work. This was a moment of great pride for them.

Shanti Devi has two sons and a daughter. Her elder son, Vikram Kumar, has become a software engineer after completing his B.Tech. Her daughter, Richa Kumari, is preparing for the Bihar Police exam after finishing her graduation. The youngest boy, Naveen Kumar, lives in the village and is pursuing his graduation after completing his intermediate. Shanti Devi believes that determination and dedication to work can help achieve any goal.