When I got up for the first time for speaking in the Panchayat, I became
almost tongue-tied because of shyness. I was not able to think of what to
say. I was scared that if I said something wrong, the audience would make
fun of me. However, now I do not feel any hesitation even when talking to
the Collector.After becoming the President, during the three years of my tenure, I got
roads, personal and public water tanks, and a community center constructed.
I got the NREgS implemented in all the 3 villages of the Panchayat. Being
a physically challenged person, my husband would not let me go out of the
house. However, now I cannot stay confined to one single place.I went out of the village for the first time, after becoming the President, to
Jaipur for training. After that, I went twice more. I saw the world; got lots of
information. We learnt that we could approach the Collector, the BDO, and
the Tehsildar. I learnt that I have to know how to talk to them to get one’s
problems solved and how one can make the gram Sevak do his work. Now, I
feel no fear or hesitation in talking to anyone.Earlier, there was just one muster roll for the digging of the pond. We felt it
was not enough and approached the collector. Then we got four muster rolls
for the same work. Similarly, I approached the BDO about twenty times.
There are 5 women Ward Members in Marudi Panchayat. Because they have
an active woman President, all 5 of them come regularly to Panchayat meetings
and participate actively. I have received cooperation from my husband, family,
Panchayat, and the village community.As most of the earlier Presidents have been from the general category not
one,of them had constructed tanks in the settlements of the potters, the Bhils
and the Meghwals. Moreover, no one paid any heed to us. I did that and
even got water pipes laid. I deeply regret that I am illiterate. I have to seek the
help my elder brother-in-law’s son for getting proposals read or something
written. Now no one can dare to take my thumb impression on a fraudulent
document.Asiyat
President
Panchayat: Marudi
Block: Barmer
District: Barmer