As part of the build up for World Localization Day celebration on 20 June, we spoke to Ms Dolly, who left her comfortable corporate job to pursue a career in grassroots politics. She will be one of the many rural changemakers telling her incredible story at the Event. You can also access our conversation with her on Instagram live here.
Dolly: I am from Meerut, Uttar Pradesh. I completed my MBA in International Business from Symbiosis University. After that I did my air hostess and hospitality training and started working in 2008, till 2018. I worked with many multinational companies during this time.
The transition to politics was never planned. I was extremely happy with my corporate job, the salary and job security that came with it. I moved from Delhi to Bihar in 2018, when my mother-in-law Late Smt. Neelam Devi, who was a two-time Sarpanch, passed away during her second tenure.
I was inspired by her, so I contested the by-election, and won. I wanted to do something different. So when I got this chance, I grabbed it. In local politics it is believed that the leader (jan-neta) should be from among the people itself. Establishing trust among people was a big challenge, because many thought that I would go back to the city after I won the election.
So instilling the confidence – that I would work for them with dedication – was not easy. Secondly, I had to mentally prepare myself to change the urban lifestyle that I was used to. I believe it is important to live the life that people around you are living. Otherwise the people will not have confidence in me.
For my election campaign, I made my education my primary shield. Fortunately, the people believed in me, and helped me in winning the first election.
Moreover, my village is an unreserved seat. 50% of the seats in Panchayat elections in Bihar are reserved for women. But my village is not one of them, it counts as a general seat, and I contested against 8 men. My first victory was not by a huge margin (179 votes). However, for me, securing a win from here as a woman was a big achievement, and it was a chance to prove myself.
Dolly: I realized the value of the Gram Kachahari (Village Court) in Bihar, and I believe that an educated person can make meaningful contributions as a Sarpanch. Decision-making has to come from education, wisdom, values and broad-mindedness.
Everybody, including the children, know me now, and are happy to see me. This is a very special feeling, which I don’t think I can express in words.
Therefore, I campaigned based on my education. I put up video clips on social media showing my awareness about the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) in Bihar. So yes, I focused on showcasing my skills and education.
Dolly: It is indeed a very happy feeling that even though I am not from here originally, the people have showered so much love, appreciation and confidence in me . And it really shows when I interact with the people from my village, the way they talk and behave with me.
Everybody, including the children, know me now, and are happy to see me. This is a very special feeling, which I don’t think I can express in words.
We developed a new system of dealing with the cases (in Gram Kachahari). This was very successful, and the people felt its impact. That is how their confidence in me deepened, and my popularity increased. Moreover, my work has been driven by integrity. I think this is what people have liked about me.
Dolly – In Bihar, along with the Gram Panchayat, Gram Kachahari was also introduced in 2006. In my panchayat, there are 13 wards, which means that there are 13 panches with me. The sarpanch heads this judicial branch.
We introduced new elements in this system, digitized the process, heard people’s concerns, and tried to accommodate them. In rural India, land-related conflicts are common, and they often take a violent turn also. Therefore the role of the Gram Kachhari is central in maintaining law and order at the grassroots level.
Dolly: I was extremely overjoyed to hear about the Localization Day celebration. The work done locally, at the Panchayat level is hardly ever discussed on a larger platform. Creating a national-level platform to celebrate the work of those who are working at the Panchayat level is very encouraging for people like us.
It increases exposure to our work and challenges. I think it is a very exciting opportunity, and I hope to learn a lot from the other speakers and stakeholders involved in the event.
I’m really looking forward to meeting everyone on 20th June!
You can also access our conversation with Ms Dolly on Instagram live here.
