You were the most qualified grassroots-level representative between 2012-2017. You had given up a lucrative job to join politics. What prompted you to become a sarpanch?

I was working as an investment officer with a private bank. Everyone was happy with me and I was happy with my job. One day, elders from my village came to my office and pleaded with me to contest for the sarpanch's post from our gram panchayat.The seat was reserved for women and they did not find a suitable candidate.

All of them knew me since childhood when I was the monitor of my school for nearly seven years. They organised a meeting of more than 1,000 people. They showered their love on me and asked me to take the responsibility of the gram panchayat. I was overwhelmed and decided to join politics to do something for them and the society.

Why are not you contesting the three-tier panchayati raj election this time?

It's not that I am not interested. People of my area had wanted me to contest for the zilla parishad this time. Accordingly, I had approached my party. Khallikote Rani Maa (former queen of the erstwhile Khallikote estate) V. Sugyani Kumar Deo, who I respect more than my mother, had recommended my name to the BJD and asked me to approach Naveen Nivas. Everything was on track, but suddenly a section of leaders, including the local MLA, felt insecure because of my rise. They seem to have misguided people around Naveen babu and my application was rejected. I am sure Naveen babu has no idea about all this. This is detrimental to the party's growth and the greater cause of women empowerment.

You are a part of the system. What's your feeling about women empowerment in Odisha, which is a major theme of the Naveen Patnaik government?

What women empowerment you are talking about? Here, the male-dominated society will not allow a woman to grow and prosper. I have noticed how husbands of sarpanchs and councillors try to pull them back even if they manage the affairs of local bodies well on their own. Our party and government are talking about 50 per cent reservation for women, but why did not they give me the ticket? They should be proud that I was invited to visit the US because of the good work, I put in as a sarpanch.

Does corruption exist in the three-tier panchayat system?

To be honest, corruption exists. I also had this bitter experience. If you don't grease the palms of officials, they will delay clearing the bills.

How can women be empowered?

It is possible only when women get education and become economically independent. Unless it happens, women empowerment will only remain a slogan. Of course, our government has taken a number of initiatives to this effect by forming women self-help groups. But the government's intervention is required time and again so that men don't influence the system.

Do you support reservation for women in panchayats?

For the time being, reservation for women is required. But once they are educated, this should be stopped.

What have you done as a sarpanch?

First, I was able to bring transparency in the entire system. All the work tenders were passed through palli sabhas (village meetings). A committee consisting of 70 youths of my area used to check the qualityof work.

Besides building of roads and allied rural infrastructure, I have managed to make women of our area literate and aware of their rights. I have been able to give them the feeling that women are no less than men, that they are equal. I had launched a campaign - "No thumb impression, only signature"

What memories do you have of your visit to the US ?

I still remember one thing - I had asked a mayor there who is like the chief minister of our state whether they had reservation for women. Everyone had a good laugh. I was quite impressed seeing their roads and I did not find any beggars on the streets. But one thing I have found good in our system is that within one minute, we are able to cast our vote. But in the US, you have to complete several formalities, including filling a number of papers.

You have been denied a ticket and you don't have a job. What will you do?

I am already in politics, I will remain in this field to serve the people. I will take up social issues. But for my bread and butter, I will try to set up a small-scale industry by taking loans under the Start-Up India programme and this industry will be women-centric.

Is the election expenditure limit set by the State Election Commission realistic?

No. In many cases, there are 26 villages in a panchayat. How can you cover and campaign in all these villages with Rs 80,000? Sometimes, you have to organise feasts and meet other requirements.

What would you have been had you not been in politics ?

I am the granddaughter of a freedom fighter. I wanted to serve by becoming a police officer. But politics has given me a bigger platform.

GAMECHANGER

• The daughter of a school teacher, the 31-year-old MBA graduate has become a role model for women keen to join grassroots politics 
• She also holds a degree in law 
• She graduated from Khallikote College 
• Aarati quit her job in 2012, joined politics and won the sarpanch election at Dhunkapada in Ganjam district 
• She has received laurels from various agencies at the grassroots level 
• She shot into the limelight when the US State Department for the International Visitors’ Leadership Programme on State and Local Governments selected her from India to visit the US and interact with their leaders