From the very beginning, I have had a deep desire to challenge traditions and
fossilized customs. However, I always found myself helpless. Because of gender
discrimination in my childhood, I had to leave my studies in the middle of
Class x. I was married off when I turned 15.When the Panchayat elections were officially announced in 2005 in my
village the entire village was talking about should be elected the President of
the Panchayat this time. All the villagers gathered in the chaupal (square). A
committee comprising eleven villagers was formed unanimously, and they were
looking to select a woman candidate who would be both able and acceptable.
The committee decided that I would be the most appropriate candidate. At
that juncture, my family had no knowledge of the decision; hence, there
were no advance preparations for the election. The decision had been taken
primarily for the reason that my family and I had always actively contributed
to village development activities.One month before the elections, another woman of the village, Santosh,
defied the decision and announced that she too would file her nomination for
the post of President. In the end, four candidates contested in the election. I
got 1449 votes against Vimala Devi for whom 1250 votes were polled. Thus,
I won by a margin of 199 votes.After being elected, the additional responsibility of Panchayat work came
onto my shoulders apart from my usual domestic chores and agricultural
work. Initially, I could not participate actively in Panchayat work, as I had
no knowledge of what was required of me. My husband used to accompany
me to Panchayat meetings, as I would not go alone and could not work
independently. However, since I was eager and interested I learnt the ropes.
I also attended various trainings and programmes and with this experience, I
now participate and chair all the meetings of the Panchayat. Now there is no
interference from my husband in my Panchayat work. I now take the decisions
in the Panchayat meetings and take decisions myself regarding development
works in the village.Krishna Devi
President
Panchayat: Dhudharia
Block: Bahror
District: Alwar