How MPs ‘Badlav Didi’ Mobilised 500 Women to Fix Healthcare and Shut a Liquor Shop
On a warm afternoon in Gunawad village in Madhya Pradesh’s Jhabua district, a group of women sit in a circle beneath the shade of a neem tree, discussing issues affecting their community. At the centre of the conversation is Chanda Bhabhar(32), listening closely and occasionally stepping in to guide the discussion. For many in the village, she has become the person people turn to when something needs fixing, whether it’s accessing a government scheme, resolving pension paperwork, or raising concerns in the Gram Sabha. But Chanda doesn’t see herself as a leader. “I only try to help people with whatever problems they bring,” she tells The Better India. “Sometimes it is about medical paperwork or pensions, sometimes about explaining what schemes are available. If someone comes to me with a problem, I try to find a way.” Today, Chanda is known as a Panchayat Badlav Didi — a grassroots governance changemaker trained through Transform Rural India (TRI). A Panchayat Badlav Didi from Jhabua, she supports her village by helping people navigate government systems and raise their voices in local decision-making. The initiative equips rural women with the knowledge and confidence to engage with local governance systems and ensure communities receive the services they are entitled to. But Chanda’s journey to this role was far from obvious. Finding her voice beyond the home Born and raised in a rural household, Chanda grew up with limited opportunities for education. She studied until the eighth grade but could not continue after failing her
In the sun-baked village of Gunawad, nestled within Madhya Pradesh's Jhabua district, a group of women gather beneath the sprawling canopy of a neem tree. The warm afternoon air is filled with their hushed conversations, as they discuss the challenges facing their community. At the heart of this gathering is Chanda Bhabhar, a 32-year-old woman who has emerged as a pivotal figure in her village. Known locally as a Panchayat Badlav Didi, or a grassroots governance changemaker, Chanda's role is to help her fellow villagers navigate complex government systems and amplify their voices in local decision-making processes.
For many in Gunawad, Chanda is the go-to person when they encounter obstacles in accessing government schemes, resolving pension paperwork, or voicing concerns in the Gram Sabha, the local village council. Yet, Chanda dismisses her work as that of a leader. "I only try to help people with whatever problems they bring," she explains to The Better India. "Sometimes it is about medical paperwork or pensions, sometimes about explaining what schemes are available. If someone comes to me with a problem, I try to find a way."
Chanda's journey to this transformative role was far from straightforward. Born and raised in a rural household, she faced limited educational opportunities. She completed her schooling up until the eighth grade but was unable to continue after failing her exams. Married in 2007, before turning 18, Chanda moved to Gunawad, where her life revolved around the traditional responsibilities of a young bride. Yet, beneath the surface, she harbored a quiet desire to contribute beyond the confines of her home.
"I always felt that I should step outside and do some work of my own," Chanda recalls. "I wanted to contribute in some way, but I didn't know how." This innate drive eventually led her to join the Transform Rural India (TRI) initiative, which trains rural women like Chanda to become Panchayat Badlav Didis. Through TRI, Chanda gained the knowledge and confidence needed to engage with local governance systems and ensure that her community receives the services to which they are entitled.
As a Panchayat Badlav Didi, Chanda's work extends beyond her immediate circle of family and friends. She supports her village by helping individuals and groups understand their rights and access government resources. Her efforts have been instrumental in addressing a range of issues, from facilitating the implementation of healthcare schemes to shutting down a liquor shop that posed a threat to public health and safety.
One notable achievement under Chanda's leadership was the mobilization of 500 women from Gunawad to demand better healthcare facilities in their village. Recognizing the critical need for improved medical services, Chanda rallied her fellow villagers, organizing meetings and advocating for their rights. Her persistence paid off when the local authorities agreed to set up a new health center, significantly enhancing the quality of healthcare available to the community.
Another significant victory for Chanda and her fellow villagers was the closure of a liquor shop that had become a focal point for social unrest and alcohol-related issues. Through a combination of community engagement and strategic negotiations, Chanda was able to convince the shop's owner to shut it down, restoring peace and order to the village.
Chanda's story is a testament to the power of grassroots leadership and the transformative potential of empowering marginalized communities. By equipping rural women with the tools and confidence to engage with local governance systems, initiatives like TRI are fostering a new generation of leaders who are driving change from the bottom up.
In the shadow of the neem tree, Chanda continues to listen, guide, and support her fellow villagers as they navigate the complexities of life in rural India. Her journey from a young bride with limited opportunities to a respected Panchayat Badlav Didi serves as an inspiration to many, proving that even the smallest voice can resonate with profound impact when given the chance to be heard.
