Bihar Sarpanch Forgoes Corporate Job for Village Service
Why this is here: The story details how Dolly adapted to a new culture and lifestyle, specifically adopting local customs like wearing sindoor and sarees, to connect with villagers and earn their trust as a leader.
Dolly, an MBA graduate, left a decade-long career in Delhi to become the sarpanch of Shadipur gram panchayat in Bihar’s Gaya district. She initially faced skepticism from villagers who questioned her ability to understand their needs as a woman from an urban background. To gain acceptance, Dolly adopted local customs, wearing sindoor, sarees, and bangles.
Dolly won her first by-election in 2018 by 150 votes and increased her margin to 1,500 votes in a subsequent election. She digitized the village court system, resolving 95 percent of cases, including land disputes and domestic issues, within six months. This contrasts with civil courts where cases often take five to ten years to resolve.
Dolly’s work has challenged traditional gender roles in local politics, as many previously elected women relied on male relatives to perform their duties. She currently earns 2,500 rupees monthly for her work as sarpanch and hopes to pursue higher office in the future.