Bihar News : Women leaders in Bihar are bringing a new direction to rural development by taking charge of panchayats. Women representatives are taking decisive steps on basic needs such as education, health, safety and drinking water, bringing visible changes to villages.
Along with raising their voices against corruption, women representatives are working to improve the safety of girls and build better panchayats. A joint initiative of Panchayati Raj Minister Deepak Prakash, the Panchayati Raj Department and the Centre for Catalyzing Change (C3) has further highlighted the role of women in rural development.
Tap Water Reaches Every Household
Heera Devi, a resident of Ward No. 16 of Sugrain Panchayat in Kusheshwar Sthan East block of Darbhanga, was earlier a homemaker with no connection to politics. Development work in her village had come to a standstill, prompting her to decide to contest the election and become a public representative.
After winning the election, she first focused on making the tap water scheme functional in her ward. She coordinated with officials at the block and district levels and got a new water supply scheme started in the hamlet located across the embankment. Today, every household in her ward receives clean drinking water regularly.
Panchayat Head Improves School Safety for Girls
Anjali Sharan, head of Mahmadpur Majhaulia Panchayat in Mehsi block of East Champaran district, noticed during a school inspection that the attendance of adolescent girls was continuously declining. When she asked the students about the reason, they said the school boundary wall was too low, allowing anti-social elements to enter the campus in the evening and creating an atmosphere of fear.
Taking the issue seriously, a high and strong boundary wall and a secure gate were constructed at the school using the panchayat fund for the financial year 2025-26. With unauthorised entry now restricted, girl students feel safer and the confidence of their parents has also returned.
Anganwadi Centre Turned Into Model Centre
Tania Parveen, head of Siswa East Panchayat in the same district, took up the renovation of a dilapidated Anganwadi centre. With the help of the panchayat development fund and various government schemes, the centre was completely renovated.
The centre now has colourful wall paintings, an RO water purifier, a child-friendly modern toilet and electricity. Benches and chairs, along with play and educational materials, have also been provided for children.
The neglected Anganwadi centre has now become a model learning centre, resulting in an increase in children’s enrolment and attendance.
These initiatives by women representatives are helping lay the foundation for self-reliance, dignity and a safer future for women. Their decisions are also giving panchayats a new direction in health, safety and rural development.
