Punjab: Three women of different age groups – 27, 62 and 70 – are in the fray for the post of sarpanch in Ladhana Jhikka village in Nawanshahr, which has 2,200 voters. Though their methods of campaigning are different, all three have one concern in common – drug abuse. “Haanji, vote pani hai na fer? My election symbol is ‘table fan’,” laughs 70-year-old Satwant Kaur, a three-time panch, as she asks villagers. “I may be less educated, but I know what the villagers want. If I am elected, I will get a stadium built where the youth can play and stay away from drugs. The dispensary should also be revamped,” says Satwant, a sixth-grade student. 60-year-old Narinder Kaur, a matriculate, seeks votes with a smile on her face. Accompanied by her husband, she appeals to voters, “Please vote for us.” Parminder Kaur, 27, who recently got married and works in a private firm, is the most educated among the three candidates. Since she has graduated in Computer Applications, she uses social media to connect with villagers and highlight her manifesto, which is rarely seen during panchayat elections. After her nine-to-five job, Parminder goes door-to-door campaigning with her husband. When she hands out manifestos to villagers, she mentions employment opportunities for women, the drug menace and the construction of a stadium, etc. “October 15 is D-Day for us, but we are not at war,” said all three candidates. With three strong women contenders in front of them, the villagers seem a bit confused to choose the right candidate for the post of sarpanch.
Punjab: Three women candidates vow to end drug menace
