Hyderabad

In a powerful testament to the transformative potential of democracy, a Chenchu tribal woman who once lived as a bonded labourer has been elected sarpanch of her village in Telangana’s Nagarkurnool district.

Purusaala Lingamma, an illiterate woman in her 40s, was elected sarpanch of Amaragiri village in the recent Gram Panchayat elections. The village seat was reserved for Scheduled Tribes.

Lingamma spent much of her childhood and adulthood as a bonded labourer in the Nallamala forests, a practice that began with her parents and continued for decades until she was rescued by government officials several years ago.

Recalling her past, Lingamma said her family was forced into fishing work in return for nets provided by their exploiters. “We were not even aware how much loan we owed them. They arranged nets and we had to go fishing. There were days when we didn’t even have food to eat,” she told PTI.

Amaragiri village has a population of around 300. Encouraged by fellow villagers and local officials for her involvement in community welfare activities, particularly housing-related work, Lingamma decided to contest the elections.

She faced an unexpected challenge when her younger brother also entered the fray. “It became a contest within the family,” she said, adding that no other candidates contested. Lingamma eventually emerged victorious.

A mother of a daughter who is now an Anganwadi teacher, Lingamma said education had changed her family’s future. As sarpanch, she plans to focus on improving basic infrastructure, including roads, drinking water supply and electricity.

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Gram Panchayat elections in Telangana were held in three phases on December 11, 14 and 17.