Candidates contesting Balika Panchayat allotted symbols at Hisar village

In an innovative step, the Selfie With Daughter Foundation on Monday assigned the nine sacred weapons of Goddess Durga as official election symbols to the nine girl candidates who are contesting for the post of Sarpanch in India’s first-ever Balika Panchayat at Sarsaud village in the district.

Founder of the foundation and architect of the Balika Panchayat initiative, Prof Sunil Jaglan, called it a moment of national pride, stating that this was the first time in India’s history that the divine weapons of Maa Durga had been adopted as election symbols. He said, “ It sends a clear message that every daughter carried Durga’s strength within her. These symbols represent Shakti and stand as a declaration that girls will rise fearlessly against injustice whenever required.”

The girls—Sakshi, Nishu, Aarti, Tamanna, Gurvi, Nishu, Hanshika, Nisha and Mehak—are contesting the election. On December 3, children between 11 to 17 years of age of Sarsod village will cast their votes to elect the Balika Sarpanch.

Village Sarpanch Sunita Bhyan said under the Bibipur Model, the village had earned the honour of hosting the country’s first Balika Panchayat.