RAJASTHAN Diary

Chhavi Rajawat was the sarpanch of Soda village in Rajasthan for two terms (2010-2020). She is a social worker who focuses on rural development and women's education

- Shreya Basak

Soda, My Village

Growing up, my family taught me not to look at people differently. They encouraged me to consider my village, Soda in Rajasthan, as my family. Whenever I would come home during my school holidays, I visited different families in the village. It did not matter whether I knew them or not. I enjoyed taking tractor rides with elderly men, who would go from one farm to the other. My grandfather or my parents never questioned me. I was allowed to make my own decisions.

I did my schooling in Andhra Pradesh, far away from Rajasthan, a state where caste-related issues are prevalent. While I was aware of societal ills like inequality or patriarchy, they did not affect me. I think my childhood experiences have helped shape me into the person I am today. To be able to be empathetic to people and their needs helped me when I was a sarpanch.

Becoming a Sarpanch

Sarpanch In 2010, it was solely the decision of the villagers who wanted me to be elected as the sarpanch of the Gram Panchayat of Soda village. Of course, the reservation for women in Panchayats contributed to my winning but I feel it was largely due to the strong emotional connection I have always had with the villagers. And they accept this.