Kavita Kumari runs barefoot in saree for Home Guard job

Kavita Kumari, a 27-year-old widow from Soso village in Jharkhand’s Ramgarh district, has gained widespread attention after a video of her participating in a Home Guard recruitment trial went viral. During a physical efficiency test at Siddho-Kanhu ground, Kumari completed a 1,600-metre run in approximately six minutes while wearing a traditional saree and running barefoot.

Kumari, who supports two young children and elderly in-laws, stated she could not afford specialized athletic gear such as running shoes or a tracksuit. She had been practicing her runs at 4:00 AM daily to prepare for the recruitment process. Her performance significantly exceeded the required 10-minute limit for female candidates, placing her in the ‘excellent’ category.

The recruitment drive in Ramgarh aims to fill 284 Home Guard positions, with 50 per cent of the posts reserved for women and an additional 5 per cent reserved for widows and divorcees. The official recruitment process is scheduled to take place between October 24 and November 5, 2026.