Women Leaders in Village Panchayats

I belong to the Adhi Karnataka caste (a Scheduled Caste) and I have not

received any formal education. My husband and I have three sons and an

adopted daughter. My family is not economically well off when compared

to others. We only have half an acre of dry land and which is dependant on

rain-fed agriculture. Our primary source of income is through agricultural

labor and we have two cows that act as a source of secondary income. I

live in a joint family with my mother-in-law, father-in-law, and four

brothers-in-law. My family and I have always tried to help those in need

and therefore, the people of our village trust and respect us. When the 2005

Panchayat elections were declared and the seat was reserved for women,

my ward people thought of choosing me as their ward member, but I was

not eager to enter politics, I was scared of the money and power games

involved. Ultimately, my well-wishers convinced my family members and

myself, to stand for the post. Even though there were 10 other people who

had filed their nominations initially, my ward people successfully influenced

them to withdraw their applications and I was chosen a ward member

unanimously.

After taking over the post, an issue was brought to my notice. A young man

had promised marriage to a young woman named Ellamma, but when she

got pregnant with his child, he refused to marry her. Ellamma’s mother was

mentally challenged and her father was psychologically disturbed. I decided

to support the girl and with the help of the police, I got her married with the

concerned man. The only expense that I had to incur was for the Mangalsuthra,

which cost Rs. 3,000.

One day, when Ellamma’s husband was out of town on work she began her

labor late at night. I took her to the Primary Health Unit and sadly, only a

nurse was present there, who advised me to take Ellamma to the hospital

since the delivery was complicated. There was no transport facility available

that night, so I went to the neighboring village, hired an auto and took her

to the hospital. The doctors demanded Rs. 5000 delivering the baby. When

I told them that I am a member of the gram Panchayat and warned them

that I would lodge a complaint to the higher authorities they withdrew their

Chinnamma
Ward Member
Panchayat: H. Hosakote
Block: Malur
District: Kolar