I am 29 years old and I belong to the Kuruba caste. I have studied up to Class
xth. My husband, Mr. Devaraj is an auto driver and we have three children
(girls) - Swathi (seven) is studying in the second standard, Mahalakshmi (five)
and Srushti (is one and a half years old ). We own two acres of dry land and
have one milch animal. My grandfather was one of the five members in the old
Panchayat system. With the support of my family members and the people of
my ward, I contested for the President’s post in the 2005 Panchayat elections.
Jayalakshmi was the other candidate for the post, but ultimately the majority
selected me as the President.I regularly attended the Women’s Leadership Workshop, the follow-up
programmes, other meetings organized by BWS, and I am currently working
as a facilitator in BWS.One of my constituents and earlier my opponent, Jayalakshmi lost her
husband and was in a helpless situation. Therefore, I facilitated her attaining
her property and allotted her a house under the ASHRAYA scheme.After attending the training at the Block Panchayat, I came to know about
an apparel-training institute established in front of the Block Panchayat, to
train the rural youth. I immediately got eight adolescent girls admitted at
the institute and submitted 12 applications. In order to get admission in the
institute, the applicant needs to be eighth pass, one of the girls did not fulfill
this criterion as she had studied only till class seven, I motivated her family
members and got her back to school. I often visit the school and monitor the
implementation of the Mid-Day Meal Scheme, Aanganwadi, attendance of
teachers etc.One of the contractors constructing the Panchayat building sent a bill of Rs.
2 Lakhs after finishing the foundation work, so I refused to sign it. The topic
is still being argued upon in the Panchayat. I want to provide good quality
education to my children and work towards the village’s development. I also
wish to achieve the Swacha grama Award for the village during my tenure.Suguna
President
gram Panchayat: Urugili
Block Kolar
District: Kolar