After 24 years, woman proves she is alive!

Patna, May 31 (IANS) Asharfi Devi ran from pillar to post for 24 years to get a certificate to prove that she is still alive.

A resident of Barun village in Rohtas district, the woman in her mid-40s is happy like never before.

"In 1988 my husband Ramjanam Singh declared me dead and married another woman. He also managed to get made my death certificate so that I don't claim his property," she said.

Asharfi told IANS that she approached police, courts, the district police chief and district magistrate seeking justice but nothing happened.

"Finally, I approached the Suryapura panchayat for a certificate to prove that I am alive. A woman sarpanch, Sandhya Sinha, helped me."

Early this week, Asharfi was declared "alive" at a crowded meeting of the panchayat.