The Panchayati Raj system has a significant role in the Indian Constitution. In rural India, there is a system of local self-government called panchayati raj. In the same way that municipalities and sub-municipalities are used for the self-government of urban regions, Panchayati Raj institutions are used for the self-government of rural areas. Effective self-governance in rural regions is crucial because 68.84 percent of India's population lives in villages. The position of "Sarpanch" thus becomes significant in order to satisfy this criteria.
A legal body for local self-government at the village level in India, the Sarpanch is in charge of the Gram Panchayat. With the assistance of the elected panches, the Sarpanch makes decisions about significant issues affecting the Gram Panchayat. The role of the Sarpanch's authority becomes crucial when it comes to maintaining proper order in a village for its regular growth and improvement. Sarpanch can lead the village toward growth and aid in the advancement of the nation by choosing so.
Advertisement
Today we are going to talk about one such Sarpanch who did social welfare with her personal wealth and redefined the role of a "Sarpanch."
Neeru Yadav, known as "Hockey Wali Sarpanch," of Gram Panchayat Laambi Ahir, Tehsil Buhana, is the Sarpanch of District Jhunjhunu. Sarpanch Neeru Yadav has taken some major steps for rural development.
Underscoring the importance of sports, she motivated the youth of the village to participate in them in huge numbers. She also encouraged the girls to participate in hockey. In order to enforce this idea, she also distributed hockey kits to the girls of the village with her two years' honorarium and sponsored a hockey team for the girls of the Gram Panchayat. A coach was also hired to train and guide the girls. On the playground of Pacheri Kalan, Neeru Yadav, who was present there, assured the girls that they were provided with the best of facilities on time. Having a fruitful end to all of these efforts, the girls' hockey team of Lambi Ahir Panchayat became the winner at the block level and was also ready to participate at the district level. This is the story that goes behind the title, "Hockey Wali Sarpanch."
Advertisement
Apart from this, Neeru Yadav is the first woman Sarpanch of India who has taken major steps for rural development and who has also started an FPO (farmers production organisation) in the name of "Sachhi Saheli Mahila Agro." The Sarpanch established a "farmer producer organisation" with the help of SIIRD (the Society of Indian Institute of Rural Development) in collaboration with NABARD. Neeru Yadav took up the role of chairman of the board of directors of this company. Through this, farmers will get fertilizers, seeds, and other agriculture-related things at reasonable rates. Farmers will also get the advantage of getting direct benefits through this.
Neeru Yadav says, “We aim to provide multiple channels of market access, economies of scale, a reduction in transaction costs, and a reduction in middlemen for our farmers." We focus on higher income, empowerment, and capacity building for our farmers. Around 50 farmers of the company have started getting profit within just 2 months of setting up the FPO.
Apart from all these inspiring works, Neeru Yadav also highlighted the importance of the Prime Minister's "Kaushal Vikas Yojana" and took advantage of this scheme to develop the village. She promoted the idea of skill development among the people across the village. As a result, poor boys and girls, who did not have any means of livelihood, got enrolled under the scheme, developed new skills, got jobs, and made themselves financially independent.
