Bheemavva – The migrant worker who rose to head a gram panchayat in Kundapur

Udupi: In 1883, the prominent US writer and orator Robert Ingersoll famously said “Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power.” At a time when power can intoxicate the best of hearts, a woman panchayat president in Tallur Village here shines as a beacon to Ingersoll’s observation.

Bhemavva, who still works as a laborer every day, despite holding a powerful position in the Tallur gram panchayat of Kundapur, is an excellent example of good governance and honest administration.

Bheemavva first came to Udupi as a migrant laborer along with her husband Mariyappa and eldest son Rangappa  27 years ago from her native place in Katageri in Bagalkot district. They have been living here for the past 14 years in a small hut erected on a 5 cents plot of lant at Pinganidudde in Tallur. She is also a team leader of other daily wage laborers.

Not a rubber stamp

Though Bheemavva has studied up to class 2, her sincerity and promptness in every work gave her the opportunity to be the president. A local leader recognized her potential and pushed her to contest the panchayat elections, which she won. As she belongs to the ST community, she got to be the president of the panchayat as per the reservation matrix.

Due to her inexperience, Bhimavva says she was not very active during the first few panchayat meeting. She soon learned the ropes of administration and now actively takes leadership of the gram panchayat meetings. She has clearly demonstrated that she is not the rubberstamp president, say the locals.

Of her four sons, Shivananda is a soldier in the Indian Army. Bhimavara dreams of seeing another of her sons in the army to serve the nation. Her eldest son lost his leg in an accident and is dependent on his parents for his needs. However, Bheemavva never talks of her hardships but tries to help others in need.

Bheemavva says Tallur is her home now. “We go to Bagalkot to attend a fair once a year. I will stay in Tallur till the end. I make sure that people do not face red-tapism. I help people in whatever way possible,” she said.