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A Cook, a Collective, and a Call to Lead: The Rise of Varshaben Damor

In the quiet village of Mota Sarnaya, nestled in Gujarat’s Santrampur Taluka, lived Varshaben Bharatbhai Damor. Like many women in rural India, she led a modest life, supporting her family, raising two children, and working as a cook at the local Anganwadi during her teenage years. Her daily routine was ordinary, filled with household chores and farm work alongside her husband. Yet, transformation often begins in such unassuming places. Varshaben’s journey into leadership began with a simple act of curiosity. When Utthan, a grassroots organisation, started working in her village, she engaged with their team to learn more. Via them, she was introduced to Ekta Mahila Sangathan, a collective of rural women dedicated to justice, equity, and self-reliance. It became her first space to listen, learn, and find her voice. Over the years, she actively participated in trainings, meetings, and collective actions, slowly emerging as a trusted leader.
 

When Mota Sarnaya was selected as a model village under the EdelGive-supported programme, a Jagruti Gram Vikas Committee was formed to lead development planning. Varshaben was unanimously chosen as its president. She brought people together, organising trainings, exposure visits, and participatory planning sessions with community members and government functionaries almost the same. Her inclusive approach bridged caste, class, and gender divides. A turning point came during a Gram Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP) meeting facilitated by Utthan. While villagers and committee members gathered, the elected Sarpanch was notably absent. The gap in leadership was clear. Encouraged by the Sangathan and community members, Varshaben decided to contest the Panchayat elections, not with lofty promises, but with a record of presence and trust. She campaigned door-to-door, listening to concerns and building on shared aspirations. When the results were declared, she won by 472 votes, a decisive moment not just for her, but for the entire village.
 

Now, as the elected Sarpanch, Varshaben leads from the front. She chairs GPDP meetings, speaks with clarity and confidence, and prioritises community-driven issues such as access to drinking water, women’s safety, education for children, and land for the landless. Her approach is rooted in accountability and inclusiveness. Varshaben’s story is not just about personal empowerment. It is a collective transformation made possible by consistent support, democratic participation, and a community’s belief in its own potential. From the Anganwadi kitchen to the Panchayat chamber, her path exemplifies that leadership is not bestowed, it is built through trust, consistency, and community action. In villages like Mota Sarnaya, when women are trusted to lead, they not only step forward, they uplift entire communities.