A determined and resolute Chhavi Rajawat offers a truly inspirational tale that depicts how one individual can bring about change and reformation to those layers of society that have for long undergone isolation and hence been hindered from a fair rate of progress. This is where Rajawat has committed and devoted her efficiency and expertise to inject a wave of reformation in a remote village in Rajasthan, India called Soda.

1. 36 DARPANTMNOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2013
Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle
A
notable phrase by renowned Indian
monk, Swami Vivekananda that instantly
hits my mind as I envisage to write about
this inspirational female figure is “What I want
is muscles of iron and nerves of steel…” The
phrase is an excerpt from an address that
Vivekananda delivered to Indians during the
time India was under British control and today
it seems that Chhavi Rajawat has rightfully
earned the true essence of this expression.
A determined, resolute and robust Rajawat
offers a truly inspirational tale that depicts
how one individual can bring about change
and reformation to those layers of society that
have for long undergone isolation and hence
been hindered from a fair rate of progress. This
is where Rajawat has committed and devoted
her efficiency and expertise to inject a wave of
reformation in a remote village in Rajasthan,
India called Soda.
This MBA graduate’s timeline can be
gracefully divided from the time she held
prominent positions in the corporate sector to
theSarpanch(headofvillage)ofSoda.Buthow
did the course of her journey lead Rajawat from
big corporate firms to a Sarpanch?
Rajawat says that in 2010, villagers of Soda
approached her father “thinking my father
would decide for me or be the one they could
use to influence me.” Rajawat adds, “If it were
left to him, he would not want his daughter to
become a Sarpanch,” since he was aware of the
quintessential political ballgame in India.
Nevertheless, a gutsy Rajawat took over the
title three years ago. It is understandable that
the village had barely witnessed any progress
whatsoever since the time her grandfather
completed his term in the same role. Any sort
of alleviation from the prevailing state meant
advancinghousingconditions,electricitysupply,
literacy levels and other basic necessities.
However, Rajawat’s appointment as Sarpanch
translated into development being galvanized
in a broader sense and several projects for
development taking center stage.
In 2010, with the support of a few individuals
in her acquaintance, Rajawat bestowed the
Thesystemdoesnotsee
me as a facilitator. My aim
has been to work as one and
help bridge the gap between
the village, government and
non-government sector.”
- Chhavi Rajawat
DARPAN SALUTES
SHEDDING HER CREDITABLE CORPORATE FIGURE BEHIND, CHHAVI RAJAWAT
ACQUIRED THE SIGNIFICANT POSITION OF SARPANCH AND PROCURED
DRASTIC DEVELOPMENT AT THE GRASSROOTS LEVEL IN HER VILLAGE
Chhavi
Rajawat
Surging Grassroots
Development
By Garima Goswami

2. 37DARPANTM NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2013
Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle
A VALIANT AND FERVID RAJAWAT IS SWIFTLY
PACING TOWARDS HER MISSION TO
STRENGTHEN SODA IN EVERY POSSIBLE
MANNER. AMIDST A GLOBAL SCENARIO
WHERE LEADERS ARE MAKING EFFORTS
TO CEMENT THEIR REACH, THERE ARE
INDIVIDUALS LIKE RAJAWAT, WHO ARE
SILENTLY PURSUING THEIR MISSION OF
DEVELOPING AND ADVANCING AT
THE GRASSROOTS LEVEL.
villagers with clean water supply. She says,
“We de-silted 10 acres of 100 acres of our
main reservoir to provide safer portable
water to a village, which fell in a government
declared ‘drought hit zone’ and where all
ground water has been declared unsafe even
for the purpose of irrigation owing to high
levels of natural contamination and salinity.”
A major issue as discussed by Rajawat
was providing a solution for the dispersion
of youth from Soda to cities in search of
jobs. “Various career counselling and soft
skill-training programs have been organized
for the unemployed youth,” in addition to
various programs that further involve youth
village activities. “Our youth club voluntarily
cleans the village streets every Sunday, while
also participating actively in the plantation
drive.” A program called Soda’s Youth
Empowerment Program, organized with the
support of a non-governmental organization
(NGO), conducts daily sessions explaining
the significance of discipline, positive attitude
and social relationships.
However her efforts are certainly not
limited to youth, Rajawat is stimulating
female synergy with several programs. “To
improve the confidence and worth of women,
up to 70 self-help groups of 500 women
have been formed and provided training on
tailoring, handicrafts, paper mache products,
grinding spices, candle making and more. In
a village that saw seasonal agricultural as
the only source of income, alternate sources
of income are now being made available.”
What's more, with the support of foreign aid,
Rajawat was able to proudly secure tables
and benches for females studying in middle
school in Soda.
In 2011, Rajawat conferred villagers at
Soda with the power of banking. Individuals
were acquainted with advantages of facilities
like savings, loans, pensions and more.
Considering the hindrances that struck
herway,Rajawatrightfullydeservesapplause
and appreciation for her gallant efforts that
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3. 38 DARPANTMNOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2013
Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle
DARPAN SALUTES
have procured tremendous results. Observing
the extent of corruption plaguing the world’s
largest democracy, it is apparent that her drive
for growth and development in Soda would
certainly not be a cakewalk. However, she
highlights support from her family, friends and
companies in assisting her and raising funds.
“The system does not see me as a
facilitator. My aim has been to work as one
and help bridge the gap between the village,
government and non-government sector.”
Quoting a recent shocking incident
that presents the extent of struggle she
encountersalmosteveryotherday,Rajawat
says, “A SHO (Station House Officer) at
the rural area police station recently told
me to my face that his post is way superior
to that of a Sarpanch. That is the mindset
the government officials carry and are
often seen causing hindrances rather than
support.”
When Rajawat got elected as Sarpanch,
there was complete absence of NGO’s
in Soda. Through her efforts, Rajawat
welcomed Pragya Chaitanya Foundation
Trust in Soda; a NGO that supports her “by
being my extended team.”
Apart from Rajawat’s efforts to uplift the
village, Soda very much relies on funds,
alongside technical assistance, to improve
farming practices, establish vocational training
centers, sewage system, waste management
and more. In continuation of her grandfather’s
vision, Rajawat envisages to pave a biased-
free environment for males and females.
A valiant and fervid Rajawat is swiftly
pacing towards her mission to strengthen
Soda in every possible manner. Amidst a
global scenario where leaders are making
efforts to cement their reach, there are
individuals like Rajawat, who are silently
pursuing their mission of developing and
advancing at the grassroots level. With her
fervent desire to assure growth in Soda,
Rajawat has showcased a perfect example of
independently taking charge to instill positive,
yet powerful development. Her friends sum
it up best describing Rajawat’s noble pursuit
saying “You are doing what we only end up
talking and thinking of doing – we are really
proud of you.”
PHOTO:CHHAVIRAJAWAT
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