Ranchi, Dec. 14: Well-known tribal poet Nirmala Putul (44), whose poem in the NCERT Hindi textbook has made her a household name among plus two students in the state, now has another identity.
Putul won the mukhiya elections from Kurwa panchayat in Dumka block, 10km from district headquarters, with a thumping majority last evening.
The woman, who writes poetry and prose in Hindi and Santhali on various issues including those close to her heart like empowerment of tribal and Dalit women, rights of forest dwellers, trafficking and the plight of women branded witches by their villages, polled 1,495 votes, leaving her nearest rival Sonika Tudu trailing with just 476 votes.
It is sweet vindication for Nirmala, who has a diploma in nursing but runs an NGO, Jeevan Rekha, since 2004, taking up issues such as rights of forest dwellers, women's empowerment, health, livelihood and others.
She had contested the panchayat elections in 2010 but lost.
But, this time, she was certain of her victory.
"I got so much love and trust from people in the days leading up to the elections (November 28) that this verdict did not surprise me," she said today over phone from Dumka, her voice almost drowning in the celebratory vijay julus (victory rally) taken out by her supporters. "They are all taking out victory rallies for me, they have showered me with so much love, that I have to attend them," she told The Telegraph.
Apart from Nirmala's poem " Aao mil kar bachaye" that is part of the Class XI NCERT textbook, her prolific and published writings in Hindi and Santhali on the causes she believes in, her NGO work and her fellowships over the years, she has other claims to fame.
Noted film-maker Shriprakash has made a documentary on the various facets of this unique lady in the hinterland.
But, Nirmala wears her achievements lightly.
"I have been working with and for people since my youth. Through my NGO, I could have a platform to spread my activities. But, now I wanted to be in a position to make decisions that benefit people. That's why I am grateful I was elected this time and I want to prove that I can make a difference."
Does she have any specific agenda? "Yes, I want to make Kurwa a model panchayat," she said. " Bohut kaam karna hai shashaktikarn ke liye (I have to do a lot of work for empowerment)," she told the scribe. "Hum saath saath badhenge aur vikas kya hoti hai kar ke dikhayenge (We will walk hand-in-hand and prove how development can happen)," she said.
