24-year-old MBBS student becomes most educated female sarpanch of Haryana

" I will present before them my own example to show what education can do for a woman." Phto courtesy Facebook

Whenver I think of panchayat and sarpanch, I always remember Premchand's Panch Parmeshwar. But even that had no women as part of the panchayat. But thankfully, many women since then have joined the Panchayat. Adding to that steadily growing list is a 24-year-old Sarpanch of Mewat in Rajasthan.

Villagers of the Garhazan village in Bharatpur elected Shahnaaz Khan, a 24-year-old female MBBS student as their Sarpanch. She is not only the youngest sarpanch of Mewat region, she is also the most educated woman in the history of Garhazan. Plus of course, the first female sarpanch of the area too.

Shahnaaz's Educational qualifications:

Shahnaaz studied in the Shri Ram School, Aravali, Gurgaon, till Class 10 and did her Class 12 from Delhi Public School, Maruti Kunj.Photo courtesy Facebook

Shahnaaz studied in the Shri Ram School, Aravali, Gurgaon, till Class 10 and did her Class 12 from Delhi Public School, Maruti Kunj. Shahnaaz Khan is a final year student at Teerthanker Mahaveer Medical College and Research Center in Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh. Not just that, the day she was being elected sarpanch, she had her 4th-year practical MBBS exam on the day of the election. She also plans to take up an internship at the Civil Hospital in Gurgaon.

And for those who wonder if she will be able to balance work and studies, well haven't women been balancing work and families since a long time?

What is Mewat like?

Shahnaaz Khan is a final year student at Teerthanker Mahaveer Medical College and Research Center in Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh.Photo courtesy Fcaebook

Like any other Indian village, Mewat has its own share of problems like low rate of illiteracy, sanitation and hygiene issues. The literacy rate in Mewat is lesser than national literacy rate. It is also considered to be one of the most backward areas. Apparently, a lot of people die of tubercolosis and have no clue that it can be treated in six months.

Shahnaaz plans to spread awareness about sanitation and hygiene to prevent diseases and save lives. She said, "People in Mewat area don't send their daughters to schools. I will present before them my own example to show what education can do for a woman."

Shahnaaz's grandfather was the village's sarpanch before her and her parents are also involved in politics, which would help the most educated sarpanch of Harayan a chance to prove herself and bring changes to her village.