How Change Occurred In Soda

As a country we take pride in producing and celebrating intellectuals who have excelled in their respective fields of science, art, literature, journalism and so on. We openly exalt and often express the pride and regard we have for our achievers and scholars. Yet we never openly question why these very scholars don’t get involved in actively educating our civic populace and influencing the nation at a more grassroot level. 

“I didn’t have to think about it much because Soda is where I belong and it needs me. In fact, the villagers broke all barriers of caste, gender and religion to ensure my victory. In Soda, not even one per cent of the voters are from my own caste. They [the villagers] wanted to prove that development is the most important factor for which they can overlook all politically created differences.”

Chhavi Rajawat is a woman who recognized that she had the potential to influence a small village called Soda in Malpura tehsil, Tonk district of which she is now a Sarpanch. She is a very clichéd yet an apt example of how society is creating individuals who can give back to it.

For the people of Soda, it’s not pride that fuels them but a feeling of self-righteousness and a zest for better governance. Chhavi has inspired the people of her village to take the responsibility of their development into their own hands. Her approach to problem solving has made the villagers more liberal and outward in their thinking towards the government and its various organizations. They have understood that rather than black mailing the government with hunger strikes and the likes to prove a point, it is easier to work with and from within the system to reap benefits and bring about positive action.

Chhavi  is one among the many women who form 49% percent of the registered voting bank in this country. Her efforts towards bringing about a drastic change in people’s outlook and belief in government is testament to the fact that change must start at a micro level and from within, but her effort can only do so much. It is up to the rest to realize the true power of 49.

Source - http://soda-india.in/sarpanch