I am an agricultural labourer who works for a daily wage. My husband is
a mason. We have five children, three boys, and two girls. The boys are in
Primary School and the girls go to a Middle School.I was a reluctant candidate to Panchayati Raj. My husband said he would take
care of all the Panchayats’ responsibilities, like any other Panchayat Pati! This
changed only when I attended the capacity building programme organized
by THP-ARCOD for women elected representatives like me, in 2007. I was
an attentive trainee absorbing all that was discussed and taught. After this, I
attended all the workshops organized by ARCOD-THP such as the Follow
up Workshop, Media Workshop and Micro Planning Workshop. Apart from
this, I was sent for a training programme to KILA, Kerala and for a training
programme in EKTA, Madurai. I attended all the programs and today I am
like a role model and resource person, who is an inspiration for the community
both as a woman as well as as an elected woman leader.The first hurdle I had to face once I started to assert myself was my own family.
I handled this judiciously, and promised them that I would not compromise
on my familial responsibilities in spite of my official duties. I have tried to do
this by striking a balance between both the worlds. My family has no regrets
and is now supportive.I have been very active and have taken a keen interest in my duties and in the
welfare of my people. I was very interested in bringing dropouts back into
the academic stream. I passed a resolution to this effect in the gram Sabha
meeting and am working hand in hand with the staff of the local school to
re-enroll the many dropouts.During the course of my duties I found that children belonging to the nomadic
‘Irular’ community played truant and did not attend school. I negotiated with
their parents and persuaded 13 of their children to attend school regularly and
continue their education. I personally ensured that they were provided with
things like uniforms, books, stationary, etc. A solar lamp was installed to help
them study at night.R. Chinnapappa
President
Panchayat:
Pachiganapalli
Block: Krishnagiri
District: Krishnagiri