'I will try and make my panchayat a model one in Bihar.'
She dreamt of becoming an astrophysicist.
But an unexpected tragedy last year changed the course of Aakanksha Basu's life.
Her father, the mukhiya (head) of their panchayat and a popular local leader who fought for the oppressed, was murdered.
Persuaded by her family, she took on his mantle and contested the recent panchayat elections. And won.
The responsibility of Meghauna panchayat, which falls under the Alauli block in Bihar's Khagaria district, now falls on her 22-year-old shoulders.
Despite having no political experience, she is confident in her new role and wants complete the work taken on by her father Jagdish Chandra Basu, who was shot dead by criminals in April last year.
Unlike most newly-elected women mukhiyas in rural Bihar, Aakanksha does not hesitate to express her thoughts. She is comfortable in both the local dialect and in English.
One of the youngest mukhiyas in Bihar, Aakanksha spoke to Rediff.com's Senior Contributor M I Khan about her plans for the villages under her panchayat.
Till early September, you were in Delhi pursuing your dream of a higher education. What prompted you to leave that dream incomplete, return to your village and contest the panchayat elections?
It is true that I have been in Delhi since 2017. After finishing Class 12, I came to the capital to continue my education. I was working hard and doing well.
But my life changed drastically last year after my father Jagdish Chandra Basu, an elected mukhiya (village headman), was assassinated by a powerful nexus of criminals.
He was martyred because he fought for the poorest of the poor.
My sisters, brother and I wanted to fulfil his dream so we continued preparing for various entrance exams.
Suddenly, in September this year, things changed. There was a loud demand that I take up the difficult challenge of contesting for the post of mukhiya in the panchayat polls.
This was a collective decision taken by my mother, close relatives and most of the villagers.
They wanted me to contest the panchayat polls so that I could continue the work of my father, who was a popular Communist leader as well.
Initially, I was very reluctant. It was not as easy decision to take because I was studying in Delhi.
Life, as it is, had become very difficult after my father passed away.
You have no experience in grassroot rural politics. Why then did they want you to contest the polls?
All of them -- my mother, close relatives and the villagers -- repeatedly told me I had to contest the panchayat polls to fulfil my father's dream.
I knew that if I decided to contest, I would be taking a risk. But, after thinking about it, I decided to go ahead.
It was an opportunity to take my father's legacy forward.
I had everyone's support. This was reflected in the fact that I got more than 4,000 votes and won by a margin of over 2,700 votes. This is rare in a panchayat poll.
You are a physics graduate and were keen on higher studies. But you've given that up for politics. How does it make you feel?
I have graduated in physics from Tilka Manjhi Bhagalpur University in Bihar and was preparing to join a reputed science institute for my masters. After that, I wanted to go abroad for my PhD.
It was my dream to become a scientist, hopefully an astrophysicist.
When my father was alive, I had shared my plans about my career with him and was preparing for my MSc admission test.
My parents, particularly my father, wanted me to become an IAS officer.
Now that you have been elected mukhiya, what will happen to that dream?
My father's assassination affected my studies; for nearly six months, I was unable to concentrate.
Then, I pulled myself up and began planning for the MSc entrance exam.
I had no plans to become a mukhiya this year. But one cannot predict what happens in life; I can't see the future.
Your father was a CPI-M leader and fought for the marginalised and downtrodden. Will you follow his path or do you have a different political belief?
It was not just my father; my grandfather too was a Communist.
I belong to a Marxist family and I will try to take this legacy forward.
My world view and understanding of politics, society and the economy leans towards the Left.
There is no question of rightist or centrist politics for me.
I will be a Communist worker and fight for the rights and livelihood of people, mainly the poor.
I have read Communist philosophy, including Karl Marx to Lenin. But, more than the knowledge I have gained from books, I know one thing -- I have to work for the poor, the backward and the voiceless.
This is what I mean when I say I will be a Communist, like my father.
As a mukhiya responsible for governance and development at the panchayat level, what's on your agenda?
I was just a student. Now, I have jumped from physics to rural governance.
I will follow a clean and transparent path and treat everyone equally; there won't be any discrimination.
I will focus on the poor and disadvantaged sections of the villagers.
My stand is simple: I will do what is necessary and good for the village and the villagers.
I will try and make my panchayat a model one in Bihar as far as socio-economic development is concerned.
How will you manage the high expectations of the villagers? Won't they judge you by your father's achievements? Will your youth and inexperience work against you?
I know I am only 22 years old and lack experience to deal with challenges and problems.
But I am confident and I will definitely try not to disappoint the villagers.
There are seven villages in my panchayat and each one of them will be the focus of my work.
I don't want to make promises like others do. I am not in a position to say that I will do everything.
Do you have any specific goals that will highlight your panchayat as a changemaker?
I will ensure that no child marriage take place and will work to educate girls as much as possible.
More than anything else, it is education that is most important for girls.
It will start a movement of change in the villages, society and state.
I would also like to ensure optimal functioning of our public health centre.
Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com
