National Panchayati Raj Day: Four women leaders who are igniting rural transformation; the seminal work by these Sarpanches is driving a rural renaissance in Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh

JHARKHAND / CHHATTISGARH: Star player Harmanpreet Singh who led the Indian men's hockey team to a medal in 2024 at the Paris Olympics was often referred to by his team mates as ‘Sarpanch Sahab' owing to his poised and calm demeanour in stressful situations. The title signified not just the respect he has earned but the quality of leadership he has demonstrated. As for the origin of the term, it has its roots in the Panchayati Raj.

This system in particular plays a crucial role in shaping leaders who can steer grassroots governance and improve healthcare, education, and community welfare. Much like a captain, a Sarpanch leads from the front to improve lives in underserved regions. As the country prepares to observe National Panchayati Raj Day on April 24, meet ‘Sarpanch Sahibas’ who are shaping their communities through active local leadership and smashing gender barriers as well.

1. Geetanjali Tirki - Mukhiya, Hesapoda Panchayat, Gola Block, Ramgarh, Jharkhand

Geetanjali Tirki, the 28-year-old from Koramba village in Hesapoda Panchayat, emerged as a grassroots leader through active involvement in SHGs and community meetings during her husband’s tenure as Mukhiya. Her exposure to local issues, which include poor healthcare, lack of sanitation, limited education, and job scarcity, shaped her decision to contest elections.

As Mukhiya, she strengthened healthcare by activating Ayushman Arogya Mandir, improved sanitation with school toilets, and installed Jalminars for drinking water. She focused on road connectivity and expanded Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA) work to reduce migration. With support from Transform Rural India (TRI), a development design organization working on transforming India's bottom 100,000 languishing localities into flourishing communities, she implemented participatory planning tools and held special Gram Sabhas to build transparency. Her vision for Hesapoda includes quality education, empowered women and dignified living conditions for all households.

2. Pratima Kujur - Mukhiya, Garyajor Panchayat, Kurdeg Block, Simdega, Jharkhand

At 47, Pratima Kujur leads the Garyajor Panchayat in Kurdeg Block with a grounded approach shaped by years of committed work. Formerly a bookkeeper for ten Self-Help Groups (SHGs), she helped families secure pensions, ration cards and essential services. Encouraged by the Village Organization, she contested and won the Mukhiya post. She addressed teacher shortages by urging local authorities to act, which improved schooling.

In a remote hamlet lacking roads and water, she organised community labour to build access roads and set up water systems. To support hill farmers without market links, she formed a Market Committee and launched a weekly haat. With support from TRI, she coordinated training on health, education, and livelihoods. Her vision focuses on accessible services, local employment, and reducing migration through practical, community-led action.

3. Vimla Nag - Sarpanch, Gumma Village, Talnar Panchayat, Chhindgarh Block, Chhattisgarh

Vimla Nag, 38, Sarpanch of Gumma village in Chhindgarh Block, has brought women’s participation to the forefront of village governance. Driven by the need to address education, health, sanitation and livelihoods, she began her term by implementing toilet construction schemes, improving hygiene and dignity for women. She established an Anganwadi Centre for Maternal and Child Health and led awareness drives to promote SHG participation.

Backed by TRI, she underwent leadership training and played a key role in building a collaborative framework that brought together Panchayati Raj Institutions, local officials, and community groups. This approach increased public engagement, especially among women, in Gram Sabhas and development planning. For the first time, local women contributed directly to governance. Vimla envisions a village where every woman earns, every child has access to education, and migration is no longer a compulsion, but a choice.

4. Prabala Kerketta - Mukhiya, Dighia Panchayat, Bero Block, Ranchi District, Jharkhand

Prabala Kerketta, a 31-year-old trained nurse from Tengariya village, became a trusted figure in Dighia Panchayat through her efforts during the COVID-19 crisis. She arranged food, helped the sick access hospitals, and supported vulnerable families during emergencies. Known for her regular participation in Village and Cluster Level Federation meetings, she was later elected as Mukhiya. Prabala addressed migration and unemployment by linking people to plantation schemes like Birsa Harit Gram Yojana, agriculture programmes and welfare schemes such as MNREGA, pensions, Didi Badi nutrition and housing support for widows. She improved infrastructure by constructing roads, and drainage systems, and ensuring water access in schools. In education, she helped girls overcome financial and bureaucratic hurdles to enter Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas.