For Padma Shri awardee Binny Yanga, a tribal woman in her late 50s, life means reaching out to the orphans and destitute despite having been afflicted with cancer.
Yanga was diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2007 and doctors gave her just six months, but not only did she live beyond the deadline, she continued to work for the Oju Welfare Association, set up by herself, which hosts 338 orphans and destitute.
Sitting in her office room of Oju Welfare Association (OWA), Yanga recalled, "I was numb with fear at what the doctors said. For six months I could not eat and sleep as fear of death haunted me all the time."
But gradually, she told PTI, the realisation dawned on her that since anyway she had to die one day, she would rather continue her work for the children of the lesser gods.
The Government of India conferred her with Padma Shri award in 2012 in recognition for her selfless service.
"The award is the outcome of my long 32 years of hard work for the upliftment of the tribal society in Arunachal. I am fully satisfied now."
She also received the prestigious Durgabai Deshmukh Award in 2000.
Yanga's parents were also social activists, a fact which probably influenced her decision to take up social work since her student life.
She formed the All-Subansiri District Girls Welfare Association and raised her voice against social evils such as child marriage, forced marriage, dowry among others.
She joined the first batch of women cadre under the Arunachal police in 1987 and the experience gathered there, where she closely watched the plight of girls, motivated her to set up shelter homes for such victims.
