In 2019, she was honoured with the Padma Shri Award.[8]
Social work
Bhagirathi allowed the Anganwadi Kendra (child care centres) to open its office in her house in West Champaran district. She especially worked in the field of girls’ education. Bhagirathi spent several years creating mahila sangathans (women's groups) in Narkatiyaganj block, organising women and creating awareness around issues that included domestic violence, violence against dalits and fair wages. She later expanded her political activism to other blocks in the district, going to jail in 1991 for organising demonstrations.