Tribal Rani helps transform villages

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Kancheepuram: D. Rani, 38, an Irula tribal woman heading the Siddhamur panchayat in Kancheepuram district, is an example of how society may transform when a woman is in charge of the administration. After the class 5 dropout was elected president in 2006, Siddhamur panchayat villages have been home to many development projects.
Having been briefed by government and voluntary organisations on the powers and responsibilities of a panchayat president, Rani understood that she was the grassroots-level leader who was a bridge between the government and public.
Rani, Siddhamur’s first woman president, opened bank accounts in the names of the women in the families and brought them together to form SHGs. She ensured that NREGA workers received their full salary. She opened a library in the village and also conducted grama sabha meetings. She also paid a lot of attention to de-silting ponds as part of the welfare projects she executed.
Rani was elected unopposed for a second term in 2011 that runs up to 2015. She then approached the collector to point out that when promoboke lands were available, people were living in tents on roads. As a result of her initiative, 60 tent families were given new concrete houses.
“I never dreamt of living in my own house. Now, I have thatched roof hut built on three cents of land and I have the patta in my name thanks to president Rani. She explained about the funds and construction and demanded only love from us,” Kasthuri Yezhumalai, one of many people eager to talk about their president, told DC.
Rani says, “I want to be true to my people. I am answerable for every single rupee that I spend. I tell them that they can enter my office any time and check the account books. We explain in detail about the expenses in the gram sabha meets.”
Rani’s husband Devaraj, a postman, never tries to capitalise on her post and doesn’t interfere in her work. Her two sons welcome people to their home whenever anybody comes to meet her. Rani, who won the award for the best woman panchayat president in TN in 2009, cycles to the block development office to attend meetings and returns home loaded with new ideas and plans for the village.
Wish Rani on: 9445144697