In the heart of Bihar’s Munger district, where opportunities for women are often scarce and traditions run deep, a quiet revolution was led by an unlikely hero—Bina Devi. Fondly known today as the “Mushroom Lady of Bihar,” her journey is not just about agriculture; it’s about courage, empowerment, and rewriting what’s possible for rural women.
Bina Devi was married at the age of 15, like many girls in her village. Her world revolved around household chores, raising children, and following norms that left little space for personal ambition. But she dared to dream beyond the walls of her home. Despite having studied only till Class 10, Bina knew that knowledge and confidence—not degrees—were the real keys to transformation.
Her tryst with mushrooms began with a simple training session. Fascinated by how mushrooms could be grown with minimal land and investment, she started cultivating them in her backyard. The results were remarkable. Not only did she generate income, but her success became a living example that other women could emulate.
What followed was a ripple effect of empowerment. Bina didn’t stop at just her own success—she trained over 2,500 women in mushroom cultivation, organic farming, and vermicomposting. Through her community self-help group, she helped women gain financial independence and self-esteem. Her model became a powerful symbol: that entrepreneurship isn’t limited to cities, and that rural women can be agents of economic change.
In 2020, she was honored with the Padma Shri, one of India’s highest civilian awards. But perhaps her greatest achievement is the thousands of women she inspired to step out, earn with dignity, and challenge societal limitations.
At SheLit, we celebrate women like Bina Devi—not just for what they grow in the soil, but for the seeds of change they sow in society. Her story reminds us that empowerment starts at the grassroots, and one woman’s courage can cultivate a revolution.