At 89, this sarpanch leads her village to progress

Duggidevara Samrajjyam, newly elected women sarpanch of Mallaram village of Tallada mandal in Khammam district, created a record of sorts. She is the oldest sarpanch elected in the united erstwhile Khammam district – perhaps she may be one of the oldest in the state as well. She won over her nearby opponent, a fifty year woman, by a margin of 139 votes. This is her fifth win in her political life and she has never faced defeat in her public life.

Inspired by her late husband Duggidevara Naraiah, who was active in politics and Telangana armed struggle, she entered into politics. A follower of Ravi Narayan Reddy, a prominent leader who took part in Telangana armed struggle, her husband Naraiah asked his wife to take part in politics. On his request, she contested for MPTC member in 2001 and got elected. Her husband passed away in the year 2002. She was elected as sarpanch for the first time in 2006. Later in the year 2014, she was again elected as MPTC member.

When asked about what prompted her to enter politics, she says she was keen to serve people and wanted to tread the path shown by her husband. “My goal is to serve people and that is the reason why I was never defeated in the elections,” she added. “I am not interested to waste my time sitting at home. I like going to offices address people needs and complete tasks related to village. Extending my services to people is my daily routine. To develop the village in all aspects is my main goal as the sarpanch” she said.

Samrajjyam’s eyes gleam when she says that she has always utilized government funds in a better way and has completed many development works, both as sarpanch and MPTC member. She has developed internal roads, built drainage and constructed school buildings. She says, “it gives me immense satisfaction looking at the works I have completed.” Although she is 89-year old, she looks younger than many women around her with her bubbling enthusiasm and her devotion to serve people.