Skip to main content

On National Youth Day, discover the inspiring stories of Sarita, Nirmala, and Reshma—young women transforming rural India through courage and leadership

Regional Report | Indore

Village voices: rural women lead grassroots revolution

Rural women leaders

A new wave of community leadership is emerging from central India as young women increasingly occupy roles traditionally held by men. Data from the Transform Rural India (TRI) State of Rural Youth Employment report indicates that while 378 million young people represent the nation's future, rural youth contribute only 46 per cent to the national Gross Domestic Product.

Sarita Bhuriya

In Bhagsur, Madhya Pradesh, Sarita Bhuriya reported that her life was once confined to agricultural labour and domestic duties. After joining a Self Help Group and training as a Change Vector, she began influencing local administrative decisions.

"I didn’t just want to help people survive; I intended to empower them," Bhuriya stated.

She now operates a Common Service Centre, providing banking services to her community. She noted that her journey has inspired other women in the village to pursue financial independence.

Nirmala

A separate account from 30-year-old Nirmala detailed how leadership became a necessity following a history of domestic violence. After engaging with gender training sessions, she was appointed as the Coordinator of the Lok Adhikar Kendra.

Nirmala said she wanted to assist women who were struggling as she had. She currently manages cases involving child marriage and dowry. She observed that her work allows women to see they do not have to accept a predetermined fate.

Reshma Ninama

In Asaliya village, Reshma Ninama’s transition to formal leadership began with community health advocacy. Following participation in visioning exercises, she trained as a Health Change Vector and was subsequently elected as sarpanch.

"Leadership is about listening to the people you serve," Ninama remarked.

Ninama, who successfully secured a Sub Health Centre for her village, stated that care for the community leads to public trust and support.

Reported by Tina Khatri.

Popular posts from this blog

CBSE Affiliation Open for the 2026-27 Session under SARAS 6.0

CBSE Affiliation Open for the 2026-27 Session under SARAS 6.0  TINA KHATRI The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) officially opened the online application window for various categories of school affiliation for the 2026-27 academic session on Tuesday. Schools seeking affiliation across multiple categories can now submit their applications via the automated system, SARAS 6.0, which will remain open until June 30, 2025. Himanshu Gupta, CBSE secretary, urged schools to carefully follow the guidelines outlined in the SARAS Manual 6.0. He emphasized, "We strongly advise all applicant schools to carefully review the manual to ensure their applications meet the required standards." Key Requirements for Schools For existing schools, it is crucial that their OASIS data is accurately updated. No incorrect or misleading information should be submitted. Additionally, all schools are required to upload prescribed documents, including details of teachers and their qualifications, ...
Read more

Railway Station Redevelopment Plan: Capacity boost to handle 10,800 passengers/hour

Railway Station Redevelopment Plan Capacity boost to handle 10,800 passengers/hour In response to increasing demand and future growth, the Railway Department has proposed a comprehensive redevelopment plan for Indore Railway Station, aimed at expanding its capacity to handle 10,800 passengers per hour. The design of the new station is being developed with a focus on long-term sustainability, considering the city's projected needs over the next 50 years. The redevelopment aims to create a state-of-the-art facility that will not only accommodate growing passenger traffic but also enhance the overall travel experience. With 7,500 passengers currently traveling daily and 52 pairs of trains operating each day, the need for infrastructure upgrades has become critical. The proposed station will serve as a major hub for commuters and will play a key role in regional connectivity. The new design will include modernized passenger amenities, advanced traffic management systems, and better int...
Read more

A journey to the Jimmy McGilligan Centre for Sustainable Development. How M.Tech students from TERI found real-world applications for renewable energy?

We Choose How We Live TERI Students Turn to the Sun in Indore By Tina Khatri | April 3, 2026 “We don’t have a choice of how we die, but we have a choice in how we live.” — Padma Shri Janak Palta McGilligan Welcoming a group of M.Tech students from the TERI School of Advanced Studies to the Jimmy McGilligan Centre for Sustainable Development in Indore, Dr. Janak Palta McGilligan urged the next generation of engineers to move beyond theory. Her message was clear: sustainability begins with individual responsibility and everyday choices. The sun provides more energy than we need. The question is whether we choose to use it. Giridarshan: A Living Laboratory Operating from her residence, Giridarsha...
Read more