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Jaipur: Women of substance

To fight regressive conservatism, educated women sarpanch are playing a totally different ball game in the political amphitheatre. Rising from the shadows, these iron ladies are standing tall to fight every social issue that has held them back. Sangeeta Pranvendra lifts the veil from the revolution that is galvanising support from several quarters

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Clockwise: Basanti Gameti sarpanch from Kaliwas in Rajsamand; Sapna Sharma sarpanch from Lapsya in Rajsamand; Sarpanch Sharda during cycle distribution to girls in her panchayat. she made the effort to ensure girls can continue their education, and Basanti Gameti, the young sarpanch from Kaliwas in Rajsamand, distributing gas connection in her area
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They are young and educated with definite plans to make a mark for themselves. The elected women sarpanchs of Rajasthan are like a breath of fresh air that has enthused the staid dilapidated Panchayati Raj System. The 2015 election was the first time education was a prerequisite for contesting. Despite opposition, the new rule has worked to the benefit of elected women representatives (EWR). There was concerted search for educated candidates and it has sprung some pleasant surprises. 

The elected sarpanchs largely do not belong to political families and many are fresh out of college, they come from the poorest of the poor families and know the harsh realities of rural life. However, there is one feeling that unites them; an unshakable will to make a change in the society.

CHANGING PANORAMA OF PRIORITIES

The EWRs who are barely halfway into their term have ensured that the panchayats are no longer limited to construction works. Their presence in the driving seat has made gender equality, girl child education, vaccination, women health and access to welfare schemes top priorities of panchayat agenda. They talk of connectivity, development, access to opportunities and know about their responsibilities. 

OUT OF THE VEIL  

The path has not been easy for the women sarpanchs had to face not just opposition, but also resentment and they took up male domain with a mind of their own. Problems were on both personal and public front. They braved opposition and have worked out a strong presence. “The women in my family were more against my contesting the election. But my husband stood by me. On the first day in office the menfolk were satisfied as I went with a ghoonghat (veil), but they wanted me to sit on the floor instead of the chair,” recalls Hemlata Bairwa sarpanch Chainpura Tonk. “It was not long before I sat on my chair and let go of the ghoonghat. Today I can proudly say that I have got development works done, the experience has developed me personally too,” she adds.

EXPERIENCE OF A LIFETIME 

Working in the panchayat gave them hands on an entirely new learning experience. They did not know what was their role, how to perform their duties and how to safeguard against sabotage. Sharda Sahariya sarpanch Shahbad Baran elaborates, “I would sign on papers in good faith and soon landed in trouble. During the fight to prove myself honesty and innocent, I learnt how to work and keep a check on the staff.” “Today I am alert and watchful and this has improved quality of work in my panchayat. No one can take me for a ride,” Sharda adds.

FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH 

“I was so bullied during the first meeting of the panchayat that I was weeping and sobbing. I was horrified to see that picture in the local newspaper next morning,” recalls an extremely confident Basanti Gameti the young sarpanch from Kaliwas in Rajsamand. “But I did not let that break me. I got to work with a vengeance. Today I can proudly say that I have managed to get roads and electricity to villages that had never seen them. Girl enrollment in schools has increased,” she adds.   

EFFECTING CHANGE IN MIDSET

Myths and stigmas are being broken with women sarpanchs connecting to the people. “People celebrate the birth of a male child but there is silence when a girl is born. Becoming a sarpanch made me realise I could effect a change of mindset. Now women from the panchayat and I go to the homes where daughters are born. We play the drum at their door and distribute sweets. This has made women feel more confident after giving birth to a daughter,” says Sapna Sharma sarpanch from Lapsya in Rajsamand.

CELEBRATING GIRL CHILD 

Geeta Devi Rao, sarpanch Raipur, Sirohi tells, “We plant a tree for every girl child born in the panchayat. I have also got a recreation centre made specially for girls through the panchayat. When parents were not keen to send their girls for high school education, I enrolled for the exams with them as part of confidence building,” she said.  

The session started with trepidation and apprehension, and while their term is half way; the class of 2015 now boasts of brilliant performers. 

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