Profile

Prof. (Dr.) Sangeeta Agrawal

Professor, Department of Sanskrit
Baba Saheb Bhimrao Ambedkar Bihar University, Muzaffarpur, Bihar
Founder – Shubham Welfare Organization

Introduction

Prof. (Dr.) Sangeeta Agrawal is a distinguished scholar, social reformer, and one of India’s foremost advocates for the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities. Born visually impaired, she defied all odds to become India’s first visually impaired woman to earn a Ph.D. in Sanskrit. Today, she stands as a symbol of strength, resilience, and empowerment — inspiring thousands across the nation.

Early Life & Education

Due to the absence of educational facilities for visually impaired girls in Bihar, her parents made a courageous decision to send her to Rashtriya Vrijanand Andh Kanya Vidyalaya, Delhi, where she successfully completed her schooling with distinction.

Her academic journey is a remarkable story of perseverance:

  • 10th & 12th (CBSE): Passed with flying colours (Top 10 in Humanities Merit List)

  • B.A. (Hons) in Sanskrit – University of Delhi: First Class First & University Gold Medalist

  • M.A. in Sanskrit – University of Delhi: First Class First & Dr. C.D. Deshmukh Memorial Gold Medal

  • Also completed Certificate & Diploma Courses in German and Russian with distinction

  • M.Phil & Ph.D. (Delhi University) – Became the first blind woman in India to complete a Ph.D. in Sanskrit (1992)

She spent 22 years away from home, gaining education and independence, laying the foundation for her future mission of empowering others.

Founder – Shubham (1993)

In 1993, with moral and material support from her family and friends, Dr. Agrawal founded Shubham Welfare Organization, dedicated to the education, rehabilitation and self-reliance of persons with disabilities (visual, hearing, locomotor & intellectual).

For the last 32 years, Shubham has:
✔ Educated hundreds of visually & hearing-impaired students
✔ Supported more than 100 students to complete schooling
✔ Enabled 60+ blind individuals to secure government jobs
✔ Created pathways for higher education, livelihoods & dignity

Its motto, “Ātma Nirbhartwam Shubham – Welfare through Self-Reliance”, reflects her life’s philosophy: Every person, irrespective of disability, can live independently with the right support and education.

Academic & Professional Career

  • Joined as Lecturer in Sanskrit Department, Langat Singh College (B.R.A. Bihar University) – 6 November 1996

  • Promoted to Professor on 6 November 2013

  • Served in the Post Graduate Department (1997–1999)

  • Transferred to the University Department of Sanskrit, BRABU – 24 May 2024

Publication:
“Ravanarjuneeya Ka Vyakaranik Adhyayan”
(New Bharatiya Book Corporation, New Delhi – 2009)

Awards & Honours (Selected)

Over the years, Prof. Agrawal has been honoured by many national institutions and dignitaries:

Year Award / Recognition Presented By
1983 University Gold Medal President of India – Shri Giani Zail Singh
1986 Honoured for MA Sanskrit (1st Rank) Shri Rajiv Gandhi, Prime Minister of India
1984 Best Student Award Smt. Indira Gandhi, Prime Minister of India
2002 Dr. Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan Shiksha Samman Oxford Public School
2012 Bihar Vikas Ratna Award Swarn India
2013 Best Paper Presentation By Shri Anna Hazare
2018 Aparajita Award Prabhat Khabar Group
2019 National Award – Role Model Category Government of India

Leadership & Community Contributions

Prof. Agrawal has held numerous leadership positions at district, state and national levels, including:

  • Chairperson – Women's Forum, All India Confederation for the Blind

  • Zonal Coordinator (North-East) – National NGO Forum

  • Member – State Resource Group (Bihar Education Project)

  • Executive Member – Rehabilitation Council of India (Eastern Zone)

  • Founder – Cricket Association for the Blind in Bihar (CABB)

  • Zonal Secretary (East) – Cricket Association for the Blind India (CABI)

  • Member – PG Research Council (BRABU) for approval of Ph.D. & D.Lit topics

Vision & Philosophy

Dr. Agrawal firmly believes in inclusive education and equal opportunity. Her dream is to build a society where disability is not a limitation, but simply a different way of living.

“Disability is not a weakness — lack of opportunity is.”
“Education is the greatest tool of self-reliance.”

She has devoted her life to turning these principles into reality.