Arati Devi is an Indian grassroots politician from the state of Odisha. She has been noted in public records as one of the youngest persons to be elected as a sarpanch (head of a gram panchayat) in India.
| Name | Arati Devi |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Indian |
| State | Odisha |
| Known for | Service as a young elected sarpanch |
| Office | Sarpanch (gram panchayat head) |
Panchayati Raj institutions form the lowest tier of elected government in India, with the gram panchayat administering matters at the village level. The sarpanch is the elected head of the gram panchayat and is responsible for coordinating local development work, public welfare schemes, and civic administration in the villages under the panchayat's jurisdiction.
Arati Devi entered public life through this local self-government framework, contesting and winning election to the office of sarpanch at a young age. Her election drew attention as an example of youth participation in rural Indian politics.
The election of young women as sarpanches is often cited in discussions of grassroots democracy in India, particularly in the context of reservation of seats for women in panchayats under the 73rd Constitutional Amendment. Arati Devi's case has been referenced in this broader narrative of younger and women candidates taking up panchayat leadership roles.