Published Paper Details:

Kamala Markandaya's Nectar in a Sieve (1954) offers one of the most powerful depictions of the endurance, courage, and emotional complexity of a rural Indian woman. The protagonist, Rukmani, functions not only as the novel's central figure but also as its psychological nucleus. Her inner life--moulded by poverty, marriage, motherhood, grief, hope, and despair--mirrors the mental realities of numerous marginalized women living in agrarian societies. This research paper examines Rukmani primarily through psychological perspectives such as resilience theory, trauma studies, emotional stamina, identity development, and coping mechanisms in prolonged adversity. Using selected quotations from the text, the study shows how Rukmani sustains her sense of self and emotional balance amid intense socio-economic disruption. Ultimately, Markandaya presents her as a symbol of psychological fortitude, embodying the quiet, often overlooked strength of women surviving under oppressive conditions.