COVID-19 outbreak and Panchayat elections are the only two things that is the centre of discussion in Uttar Pradesh these days. The three-tier elections that are being held a little late this time due to the pandemic is special in many ways.
Akanksha Vajpayee, along with fighting the elections herself, has also taken the responsibility of helping her mother in campaigning for the election.
MA in English, Preparing for Civil Exams
Akanksha, who is contesting for the district panchayat elections from Harpalpur first seat of Hardoi district, has done her MA in English and used to prepare for the civil services. After making her way into politics, Vajpayee is giving tough competition to the opposing candidates. After she saw the issues being faced by the people of her village, she decided to enter the fray.
Vajpayee’s family is already active in politics.
Vajpayee, who is fighting the Zilla Panchayat elections, says that even today people are not aware about education in their village. “They do not even think of teaching their daughters,” she told The Quint.
“I wanted to get into civil services, but considering the situation of my area and the girls, I thought of doing something for the village. If I had gone for civil services, my posting would have been elsewhere, away from my area. That’s why I decided to join politics “Akanksha Vajpayee
When speaking about the development of the village, Vajpayee said that the problems of electricity, water and road are still existing in the village at a time when the country is thinking of building houses on Mars. “For the development of the village and the region, i have decided to not go in for a job and try my luck in the electoral field,” she said.
Her Day Starts With Promoting Her Mother
Vajpayee's mother Archana Bajpai is contesting for Pradhani from Chait Bada village. Vajpayee has taken the lead to help her mother win the election. She starts her day from her mother's panchayat area and goes door to door to seek people’s support and then goes to her area.
Vajpayee’s family has always been associated with literature. Akanksha’s mother works in the field of writing and her brother, who lives in Lucknow, loves to write poems. She also emphasises on the need of education for country’s development.
‘Getting Full Support Of People'
Vajpayee further said that when she came out to seek support in the area, she saw a different enthusiasm among people. She believes that people in her community feel that there is a young and well-educated candidate who can do well for the village.
Vajpayee also aspires to open an old age home for elderly and destitute women.
After watching Vajpayee make her way into politics, other girls in the area have also started looking up to her. They believe that she can change the common mindset of a women’s role being centred around the kitchen along with need for girl education. Vajpayee believes that she will be able to change this thinking.
(This story was first published on Quint Hindi.)
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