Maharashtra: Specially-Abled Woman Beats Odds To Become Sarpanch Of Two Villages

Kavita Bhondwe, a 34-year-old specially-abled woman, has beaten all odds to serve as the sarpanch at two village panchayats - Dahegan and Waglud, both belonging to the Dindori Taluka in Maharashtra’s Nashik district. After being elected as the head of the village panchayat at the age of 25, Bhondwe is currently serving her second term as sarpanch.

Beating All Odds

Bhondwe had to face various obstacles as a specially-abled woman vying for a leadership position. “Earlier people use to make fun of me, seeing me on crutches, “she recalled in an interview with ANI. However, Bhondwe remained undeterred and worked hard to achieve her goal of becoming a sarpanch. She said, “I didn't give up & learnt from my father & village elders. Many did not like the fact that I became Sarpanch at the young age of 25 years.”

Maharashtra: A 34-year-old specially-abled woman is serving the society as Sarpanch of 2 villages in Dindori Taluka, Nashik district.

Currently in her 2nd term, Kavita Bhondwe made changes in Gram Panchayats' affairs & stood up against illegal practices in Dahegaon & Waglud. pic.twitter.com/OlwZD6kGWU

— ANI (@ANI) November 24, 2020

Bhondwe has been working tirelessly since she was elected to ensure the welfare and upliftment of the village communities. As per ANI, she has also made various changes in the functioning of the gram panchayats as well as taken a stand against illegal practices in Dahegaon and Waglud.

Also Read: PM To Felicitate Women Sarpanches For Swachh Bharat

Earlier people use to make fun of me, seeing me on crutches. However, I didn't give up & learnt from my father & village elders. Many did not like the fact that I became Sarpanch at the young age of 25 years: Kavita Bhondwe, Sarpanch of Dahegaon & Waglud villages, Nashik District https://t.co/t7V2nA7iMG pic.twitter.com/IIgWs0Ikkr

— ANI (@ANI) November 24, 2020

What You Should Know: 

• Kavita Bhondwe, a 34-year-old specially-abled woman, has beaten all odds to serve as the sarpanch at two village panchayats. 
• After being elected as the head of the village panchayat at the age of 25, Bhondwe is currently serving her second term as sarpanch.
• Bhondwe has been working tirelessly since she was elected to ensure the welfare and upliftment of the village communities.
• India has witnessed the election of many female sarpanchs in recent years who have gone on to do contribute immensely to their villages’ development.

Also Read: Five Female Sarpanchs Doing Stellar Work In Their Villages

Other Women Sarpanchs

Earlier this year, in January, 97-year-old Vidya Devi became the oldest sarpanch in Rajasthan. After winning the panchayat polls from Puranabas gram panchayat in Sikar by a margin of 207 votes, Devi sought to secure pension for all impoverished widows in her gram panchayat and address the drinking water problem in her village. India has witnessed the election of many female sarpanchs in recent years who have gone on to do contribute immensely to their villages’ development.

In 2018, Gurgaon-based Shahnaaz Khan, a 24-year-old medical student became the youngest sarpanch of a village in Mewat region that includes parts of Haryana and Rajasthan. In 2017, 50-year-old Pushpanjali Singh, the sarpanch of Wari Panchayat under Dobhi Police Station area of Gaya district, settled a 20-year-old land dispute in less than a week. Read more about it here.

Picture Credits: ANI

Tarini Gandhiok is an intern with SheThePeople.TV