From Tribal Roots to Sarpanch Seat: Bhagyashree’s Bold Battle for Tribal Women!

In a village where patriarchy and insurgency walk hand-in-hand, Bhagyashree Manohar Lekhami refused to walk behind. At just 26, she became the first woman Sarpanch of Koti village in Maharashtra’s Naxal-affected Gadchiroli district, a land often known more for bullets than ballots. But Bhagyashree didn’t just win an election, she started a revolution. In a region where women were expected to bow, she stood tall, bold, relentless, and unapologetically fierce. Her victory wasn’t a fluke, it was the roar of a woman who grew up knowing silence too well and decided to replace it with action.Challenging Chains: Periods, Patriarchy & PowerBhagyashree didn’t waste time fixing what was broken, she dismantled systems that kept women in chains. In a community where menstruation was taboo, she distributed sanitary pads. Where girls were pushed into child marriage, she enrolled them in schools. “Why should shame be a woman’s inheritance?” she asked. These weren’t just policies; they were a response to generations of discrimination. Bhagyashree emerged not only as a leader but as a symbol — a reminder that feminism is not just about words, but about challenging barriers with determination and courage.Rewiring the ForgottenWhen Bhagyashree took charge, many villages under her Gram Panchayat were without electricity. Within just six months, six villages were connected to the power grid. More than 150 families, who once lived in temporary kutcha huts, now have homes built with brick and mortar. Health camps, once unheard of in the region, are now regularly organized under her supervision, ensuring access to basic medical care.For Bhagyashree, governance is not just about administration — it is about restoring dignity and rebuilding lives. Rather than waiting for directives from higher authorities, she has taken matters into her own hands. From constructing roads in remote areas to personally transporting villagers to hospitals, she has redefined the role of local leadership. In Bhagyashree’s hands, rural development has become a deeply personal mission — and a quiet but powerful form of rebellion against the status quo.Feminist, Fighter, Future-Maker While still pursuing her Master’s degree in Physical Education, Bhagyashree manages to balance her academic commitments with the demands of local governance. As a Tribal Leadership Fellow, she has successfully brought national attention to pressing issues within her community. Yet, for Bhagyashree, titles and recognition are secondary.Deeply connected to her roots, she embodies a rare blend of groundedness and vision. In her village, young girls don’t just admire her — they find the courage to imagine new possibilities for themselves. At a time when India is seeking transformative change from the grassroots level, Bhagyashree represents not just emerging leadership, but a powerful reminder of the movements that once stirred the nation’s soul.

From Garbage to Gold: How One Man's Initiative is Changing the Face of Waste Management

A lawyer turned sarpanch is making waves in the remote village of Sadiwara in Jammu and Kashmir’s Anantnag district by offering gold coins in exchange for litter. Farooq Ahmad Ganai, the sarpanch of Sadiwara, initiated a cleanliness campaign in his village in 2020. He began by collecting garbage and litter from public places, roads, water bodies, playgrounds, and open fields for two hours a day. He aimed to make his village waste-free and promote cleanliness. Ganai constructed community garbage pits, soakage pits, and ensured every house in his village has a dustbin. He banned the use of single-use polythene in the village and intends to replace them with paper and cloth bags. Ganai's efforts have led to an increase in the local population's participation in the cleanliness drive, with encouraging signs of people coming forward to collect garbage from public places and houses. To encourage more people to participate in the cleanliness drive, Ganai started offering gold coins to people in exchange for litter. His wife has offered him 20 grams of gold to support this noble initiative. Ganai initially offered gold coins for 20 quintals of litter and waste and now offers gold coins for one quintal of plastic and polythene. The public has responded favorably to Ganai's creative proposal to distribute gold coins, and he is optimistic that it will contribute to the town becoming litter-free. He promises to make his village panchayat green and garbage-free or by or before December 2023. The sarpanch is taking possession of the public property where the trash will be disposed of, divided, and recycled. Also, he is putting in diaper destroyers, which will be a first for J&K. Farooq Ahmad Ganai's initiative is a shining example of how a simple idea can have a significant impact on the environment. His commitment to making his village waste-free is an inspiration to many, and his innovative idea of offering gold coins to people in exchange for litter is a unique way to promote cleanliness. His efforts are a reminder that we all have a role to play in keeping our surroundings clean and promoting sustainability.