Community InterAction

RSCD walked with me every step of the way.” 

– Shardha Shende, Sarpanch, Bela Gram Panchayat 

When I was first elected as the Sarpanch of Bela Gram Panchayat, I carried both hope and hesitation. I wanted to serve my people, but the responsibilities of governance felt heavy. That is when RSCD entered my journey, not as an outsider, but as a true peer partner.

Through the BOSS course, I gained the skills to understand budgets, schemes, orders & services of Gram Panchayats  and how to make the Gram Panchayat work for the people. RSCD was there in moments of crisis, giving me courage and showing me practical ways to solve problems. Their handholding support never made me feel alone. every step, from planning to execution, I knew there was someone to guide me.

Today, when Bela Gram Panchayat has won the Majhi Vasundhara Award, I feel proud not only for my village but for the path we have created together. RSCD did not just train me. it shaped my confidence, sharpened my vision, and reminded me that women in governance are not just participants, we are leaders of change. My leadership is my people’s strength, but the wings to fly came from RSCD.

“Protecting our environment is protecting our future” 

– Prajakta Rode, Ex Woman Sarpanch, Ambegaon, Pune

As the woman Sarpanch of my village, I drew strength and inspiration from the Paryavaran Karbharani initiative of RSCD, which taught me that safeguarding our water, forest, and land is not just governance, but a responsibility towards future generations. Through this initiative, RSCD guided and supported us to turn ideas into action and to weave environment into the heart of local governance.

With the encouragement and training provided under RSCD’s Paryavaran Karbharani initiative, we created waste management systems in the village, revived our pond, built soak pits, and promoted rainwater harvesting in every household. More than 10,000 trees were planted with people’s participation, and farmers were supported to adopt organic farming practices, improving both soil health and food security. One of our most unique steps, inspired by RSCD’s handholding, was passing a Gram Sabha resolution to ban single-use plastic and switching to solar streetlights for energy savings. These efforts showed us that environment-friendly governance is possible when women lead with vision and community stands united.

Today, when visitors call our village an example of Paryavaran Karbharani in action, I feel proud. My leadership has been shaped and strengthened by RSCD, which reminded me that women leaders can be true guardians of nature and champions of sustainable development.

“From village woman to Arogya Karbharani – my journey as a health warrior” 

– Ms. Durga, Amravati District

When I first stepped into the role of Arogya Karbharani, I knew my village was struggling with many health issues, but I was unsure how I could make a real difference. That is when RSCD came forward with guidance, mentoring, and capacity-building support. They helped me understand that women like me can play a powerful role in bringing health and wellbeing to the center of village governance.

Through the training, I learned how to strengthen our Village Health, Nutrition and Sanitation Committees (VHNCs), how to run awareness campaigns on women’s health, hygiene, and nutrition, and how to ensure that government health services reach every family. Slowly, I started to lead health campaigns, organising check-up camps, spreading awareness about anaemia among women and adolescent girls, and ensuring safe maternal care.

Today, when people in the village call me their ‘Arogya Karbharani’ – health warrior, I feel proud. I am no longer just a participant in meetings. I am a leader who can influence decisions, raise voices, and build collective action for the wellbeing of my community. This change in me was possible because RSCD showed me the way, gave me confidence, and stood with me at every step.

Now I believe that localising SDG 3 begins with empowering women leaders in villages and I am determined to continue this fight for health and dignity for all.

“From Sarpanch to Trainer – My Journey of Leadership” 

– Shardha Dhanvij, Wardha District

I began my journey as the Sarpanch of my Gram Panchayat, where I learned firsthand the responsibilities and challenges of local governance. Stepping into leadership was not easy, but it gave me the confidence to raise questions about women’s participation, transparency, and accountability in Panchayat Raj Institutions.

Later, I became a member of the Mahila Rajasatta Association, where I worked closely with other elected women representatives to ensure that women’s voices are not sidelined in village development.

The turning point in my leadership came when RSCD mentored me. Their continuous guidance, trainings, and exposure helped me transform my local experiences into training skills. With RSCD’s support, I developed my perspective on governance, gender, and democracy. Today, I am proud to say that I am not just a leader in my village, but also a PRI trainer, shaping other elected representatives across Nagpur and Maharashtra.

Through this journey, I have realised that leadership is not only about holding a post. it is about sharing knowledge, building others’ confidence, and creating collective strength. RSCD has been a strong pillar in shaping me into a trainer who can pass on this vision to many more women leaders.

“Guarding natural wealth of our village” 

– Dhurpat Bhalke, President, Biodiversity Management Committee, Kisal-Pargaon Gram Panchayat

When our Gram Panchayat formed the Biodiversity Management Committee (BMC), I was chosen as its President. At first, I did not fully understand why such a committee was needed. But soon, I realised that our village’s forests, water, seeds, and local species are our real wealth, and protecting them is as important as building roads or houses.

The BMC at the Gram Panchayat level ensures that we document and conserve our biodiversity, create the People’s Biodiversity Register (PBR), and safeguard traditional knowledge for future generations. It also gives villagers a platform to take collective decisions about sustainable use of natural resources.

Here, RSCD played a crucial role. Through their initiative, we learned why biodiversity governance is essential for the survival of rural communities. RSCD’s trainings, exposure visits, and constant mentoring helped me understand that biodiversity is not just an environmental issue, but also a women’s livelihood, health, and survival issue.

As President, I now confidently lead discussions in Gram Sabha, mobilise women and youth to participate in biodiversity conservation, and ensure that our traditional practices are respected. RSCD has truly shaped my perspective and strengthened my leadership- today, I proudly see myself not just as a member of the Panchayat, but as a guardian of my village’s natural wealth.

“From Ganeshpur to London – my journey as a woman in governance” 

– Ratnamala Vaidya, Ex-Sarpanch & Ex-Deputy Sarpanch, Ganeshpur-Bhandara Gram Panchayat

When I first entered the Gram Panchayat of my small town Ganeshpur in Bhandara district, I never imagined that one day my voice would reach London. But my journey of over two decades in local governance has taught me that when women lead with courage, boundaries disappear.

Since 2000, I have been an active member of the Women in Governance Campaign, constantly working to strengthen women’s participation in Panchayati Raj. RSCD has been a strong companion in this journey - through trainings, workshops, and continuous mentoring, RSCD shaped my perspective, built my confidence, and gave me the courage to speak beyond my village.

I served as Sarpanch and Deputy Sarpanch, and also worked on key committees- Women and Child Welfare, Monitoring, and Police Vigilance. With RSCD’s guidance and collective learning with other women leaders, I realised early on that policy changes at the grassroots are essential. That is why I fought for simple but powerful interventions like identity cards for Gram Panchayat members and Election Commission certificates for elected representatives.

My advocacy extended to ensuring women’s access to water, introducing free transit passes for women in local transport, and pioneering the concept of Joint House Ownership (JHO) - where both husband and wife’s names are included on house nameplates. These changes gave women visibility, dignity, and rightful recognition in their communities.

I also faced my share of challenges once, a no-confidence motion was moved against me by men in the Panchayat. It was a moment of struggle, but it made me realise that women leaders must be equipped with information and confidence to fight such battles.

Today, when I presented my views at the London Conference organised by CP4D, I felt I was not just representing myself but every rural woman leader of India. I truly believe that working with elected Panchayats is the foundation of a strong nation. Women have the power to remove barriers, demand resources, and lead integrated development for themselves, for their Panchayats, and for the nation.

“From learner to master trainer – my journey with RSCD” 

– Santosh Chakranarayan, PRI Trainer, SIRD Maharashtra

When I began my journey as a trainer, I had knowledge but lacked clarity, confidence, and perspective. It was RSCD that shaped me step by step into the trainer I am today. 

Through countless Training of Trainers (ToTs), perspective-building workshops, and continuous mentoring, RSCD not only improved my skills but also transformed my personality.

I learned how to engage participants, how to simplify complex aspects of Panchayati Raj Institutions, and most importantly, how to inspire elected representatives to believe in their own leadership. Every session with RSCD gave me new insights, sometimes on governance, sometimes on facilitation, but always on how to connect with people with both mind and heart.

Today, I stand with pride as a Master Trainer in PRI at SIRD, Maharashtra, and also as part of RSCD’s innovative Savitri Academy – a collective of trainers. Looking back, I can see the distance I have travelled - from a hesitant trainer to a confident facilitator of change. My voice is stronger, my vision is clearer, and my belief is firm: training is not just teaching, it is empowering.

This transformation in me is RSCD’s gift, and I carry it forward every time I stand in front of a new batch of elected leaders.