Vadodara, July 2 — In a powerful example of grassroots empowerment, Dr. Jaimini Jaiswal, a renowned dermatologist and surgeon, has been elected as the sarpanch of Intvad, a remote village in Savli taluka of Vadodara district. Her journey from healing patients in the city to leading a rural village is an inspiring story of leadership, compassion, and change.
Dr. Jaiswal, a medical professional with a thriving urban practice, first sensed the need for change while visiting her ancestral village during Diwali. She was struck by the lack of basic infrastructure and decided to take on the responsibility of local development head-on.
Fueled by a vision to uplift public health, education, water supply, and local infrastructure, she decided to contest the gram panchayat elections. The seat being reserved for women seemed almost fated—and the villagers responded with overwhelming support, electing her with a decisive majority.
“As a doctor, I served people’s health. Now as a sarpanch, I have the opportunity to transform lives,” she said. Dr. Jaiswal emphasized that her leadership will focus on holistic village development with a special emphasis on inclusive governance.
She credits her leadership spirit to her parents and in-laws, who she says encouraged her to think beyond boundaries. Though she never imagined herself entering politics, she now sees it as a calling to bring dignity, progress, and practical solutions to her village.
Dr. Jaiswal’s victory symbolizes more than political success—it is a step forward for women’s empowerment in rural India. By breaking conventional norms and leading with knowledge and empathy, she has become a torchbearer for a new generation of educated women leaders.
Her story stands as a testimony that when educated and capable women lead from the front, development is not just possible—it becomes transformative. Intvad village is now being seen as a model of hope and empowerment across Gujarat.
Source: Directorate of Information, Gujarat
