Maharashtra: MBBS student returns from Georgia, wins sarpanch poll

KOLHAPUR: Just a month ago, 21-year-old Yashodhara Shinde was pursuing her medical degree in Georgia when she got a call from her father, which brought an unexpected turn to her life.
Yashodhara's father asked her to return to contest election for the sarpanch post in Vaddi village of Maharashtra's Sangli district. She dutifully packed her bags and returned to India.
It was a decision she won't regret. On Tuesday, Yashodhara was elected the new sarpanch of Vaddi. "I have lived in the village. My great grandfather and my grandmother have both contributed as sarpanch of neighbouring Narwad village for 15 years. People here wanted someone from my family to contest for the post, hoping that they may get to see development once again," she told TOI.
Yashodhara said she could feel the faith people of her village had in her. "Since I have lived a good number of years here, I have a special spot for the village in my heart. I know the problems here, the basic amenities that are needed. The health of women and children needs urgent attention," she said after winning a closely contested race by 147 votes.
The MBBS student, however, does not want to discontinue her studies. "I am currently in the fourth year, with only one-and-a-half-years left to complete my medical graduation. I will do it online. My friends in Georgia called up to congratulate me and extend all possible help. I have always aspired to become a doctor and I am going to fulfil my dream. At the same time, the post of sarpanch has placed opportunities in front of me to serve people in need," she said.
The village with a 4,500-strong population is starved of basic necessities. "I am young and I don't know much about politics. But I have my family's support. The experience of my family members will help me negotiate future challenges, be it on the political or the development front," said Yashodhara, whose father Mahendrasingh and grandmother Mandakiniraje led the panel that won all 12 seats in the gram panchayat polls.