3 women candidates vow to eradicate drug menace

Three women of different age groups — 27 years, 62 years and 70 years — are in the fray for the post of sarpanch at Ladhana Jhikka village, which has 2200 voters, in Nawanshahr.

Though they have different campaigning style, all three of them have a common concern —drug menace.

The 70-year-old Satwant Kaur, who has remained panch for three times, asks villagers with a hearty laughter, “Hanji, vote paani hai ne fer? (So, you are voting for me, right?) My symbol is ‘table fan’.”

Satwant, who has studied till Class VI, said, “I may be not educated enough, but I know what the villagers want. If elected, I will construct a stadium where youngsters can play and stay away from drugs. The dispensary also needs a makeover.” Narinder Kaur, 60, a matriculate, asks for votes with a smile on her face. Accompanied by her husband, she appeals to the voters, “Please vote for us.”

Parminder Kaur, 27, who got married recently and works with a private firm, is the most educated among the three candidates.

As she has done Bachelors of Computer Applications, she uses social media to connect with the villagers and highlights her manifesto, which is rarely seen during the panchayat poll.

After her nine to five job, Parminder, along with her husband, does door-to-door campaigning. As she hands over the manifesto to villagers, she mentions about job opportunities for women, drug menace and construction of a stadium, among others. “October 15 is the D-Day for us, but we are not at war,” said the three candidates. With three strong women contenders in front of them, the villagers seem a bit confused to elect the right candidate for the post of sarpanch.