Kalavati Bandurkar Biography

Kalavati Bandurkar, an Indian farmer, first gained widespread attention in 2008 when Rahul Gandhi visited her home, and once more in 2023 when Amit Shah referenced her in a speech at the Indian Parliament. This sudden spotlight turned the 48-year-old impoverished widow from Vidharbha into a focal point of media interest virtually overnight.

Kalavati Bandurkar Biography Age, Career, Family, Height and Weight

Born in 1956, Kalavati Bandurkar, who is currently 67 years old in 2023, hails from the state of Maharashtra, India. After her marriage, she made her home in Jalna village, situated in the Yavatmal district of Maharashtra. Kalavati is known for her involvement in agriculture, often leasing agricultural lands to cultivate crops and actively participating in farming activities.

Family

Kalavati Bandurkar hails from a family with a long-standing tradition of farming.

Kalavati Bandurkar Husband Pic

Kalavati Bandurkar Family Pic

Parents & Siblings

Details about Kalavati Bandurkar’s parents and siblings are not widely available, and there is limited information regarding her family background.

Husband & Children

Kalavati Bandurkar’s husband was named Parshuram Bandurkar, and he worked as a farmer. Tragically, he took his own life on December 23, 2005, due to the immense financial burden he faced, with an inability to repay a debt of Rs 1 lakh.

Kalavati Bandurkar has a total of nine children, which includes seven daughters and two sons. Her daughters are named Sonia Bandurkar, Sangeeta Kadaskar, Savita Khamankar (who tragically took her own life in 2011 by setting herself on fire), and Papita Ramteke (who made an attempt to commit suicide in June 2018 by jumping into a well). Additionally, one of her sons lost his life in an accident, and the other son goes by the name of Pritam Bandurkar.

Career

Kalavati Bandurkar’s rise to prominence can be traced back to May 2008 when the distinguished Indian politician Rahul Gandhi paid a visit to her humble residence and shared a meal with her family. Notably, he also mentioned her name during one of his parliamentary speeches in 2009. This event drew the attention and support of numerous non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and farmer groups. One such organization, Sulabh International, led by the renowned Bindeshwar Pathak, took the initiative to provide substantial financial support to Kalavati. They established a Fixed Deposit (FD) account with a sum of Rs 30 Lakhs in the Maragaon branch of the Central Bank of India in her name. As a result, Kalavati regularly receives an interest payment of approximately Rs 25,000 per month from this account, providing her with a much-needed source of financial stability and support.

Politics

In May 2008, Kalavati Bandurkar’s name became widely recognized after a visit from the prominent Indian politician Rahul Gandhi, during which he shared a meal with her family. Encouraged by the Vidarbha Jan Andolan Samiti (VJAS) and their efforts to bring about positive change in her region, Kalavati ventured into the realm of politics with the aim of improving the conditions in her area. She took the bold step of filing nominations to contest the 2009 Maharashtra Legislative Assembly elections as an independent candidate, vying for the Wani constituency.

Facts

In his Lok Sabha address on August 9, 2023, Amit Shah, the Indian Home Minister and a prominent leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), made reference to Kalavati Bandurkar. During his speech, he took a subtle dig at Rahul Gandhi, asserting that it was Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi who extended a helping hand to Kalavati by providing her with a house, a gas cylinder, and other essential necessities, rather than Rahul.

Physical Appearance

Kalavati Bandurkar stands at a height of 5 feet and 5 inches, with a weight of 50 kilograms. She possesses striking black eyes and sports Salt and Pepper hair color.

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