From a railway career spanning 18 years to becoming a published author, Ragini Thakur has continued to pursue her creative interests despite losing 90 per cent of her hearing capacity in childhood
Ragini Thakur’s journey is a story of perseverance, professional commitment and a deep connection with creativity. For the past 18 years, she has been serving in the Railways in Raipur. She began her career as a clerk in the Accounts Department and, through experience and dedication, rose to the position of Section Officer in the Accounts Department in October 2014.
Her academic journey has also been diverse. Ragini holds a Master of Commerce (M.Com) degree and studied Mathematics in Classes 11 and 12. She recalls being a consistent performer during her school years and often topping her school tests. Her interest in academics later developed alongside a growing passion for writing and other creative activities.
However, her journey has not been without challenges. At the age of eight, Ragini suffered from meningitis, which resulted in the loss of around 90 per cent of her hearing capacity. Despite this significant hearing impairment, she continued her education, built a career and independently managed her professional and personal responsibilities.
Alongside her railway job, Ragini has always maintained a strong creative side. Writing, painting and singing have been among her interests, while she also enjoys gardening, Rangoli, Mehndi and flower decoration. Her creative abilities have found recognition over the years, with several of her articles being published in magazines. She has also participated in essay and slogan-writing competitions, where she frequently secured first prizes.
Her literary journey recently reached an important milestone with the publication of her first book, Fairy World, in July 2026 by Shivoham Publishing Company. Unlike a collection of newly created fairy stories, the book brings together old and classic fairy tales that have been passed down through generations and date back centuries.
Stories such as Rapunzel, Rumpelstiltskin, Thumbelina and other well-known fairy tales form part of this literary effort. Ragini chose these timeless stories with the intention of keeping their charm alive for readers and as a tribute to International Fairy Tales Day. For her, these stories are more than childhood entertainment; they represent a part of the world’s literary and storytelling heritage.
While Fairy World has now been published, Ragini’s literary journey is far from over. Two more books are currently in progress. One is based on her memories of her grandfather, while the other explores memories and emotions associated with Rakhi. Both projects are deeply personal and draw from memories and relationships that have remained important throughout her life.
Her aspirations as an author extend beyond simply publishing books. Ragini dreams of seeing her books reach libraries and different literary platforms so that they can become accessible to a wider readership. She hopes her work will find a place where readers, particularly those who appreciate traditional stories and personal memories, can discover it.
Her personal journey also reflects the social realities faced by many women. Ragini did not marry, and she attributes this to social circumstances and practices surrounding dowry. Instead of allowing that aspect of life to define her, she concentrated on her career, interests and creative pursuits, building an independent identity through her work and writing.
What stands out in Ragini’s story is not simply the number of challenges she has faced, but the number of things she continued to do despite them. A childhood illness affected her hearing, yet she pursued higher education. She entered government service, progressed from clerk to Section Officer, managed her responsibilities and continued writing, painting and exploring other creative interests.
Today, Ragini Thakur represents a different kind of literary journey — one shaped not by a conventional path, but by persistence and curiosity. Her first book, Fairy World, brings centuries-old stories to contemporary readers, while her upcoming books promise a more personal glimpse into memories of family, relationships and tradition.
For Ragini, writing has become another way of connecting with the world. Her journey from a young girl who faced a life-changing illness to a railway officer and now a published author demonstrates that circumstances may alter the course of a life, but they do not necessarily have to determine its destination.
