Rajni
North News
Chandigarh, September 17
Dressed in traditional attire, with her face covered by ghunghat, Sonu Kanwar, the sarpanch of Jalipa Rural Panchayat in Barmer District, Rajasthan, left a lasting impression on both IAS officer Tina Dabi and the audience as she addressed them in fluent English at a event in the region recently. IAS Tina Dabi, the newly appointed District Collector of Barmer, attended the event as the guest of honour. In a viral post circulating on X (formerly Twitter), Sonu Kanwar can be heard expressing her pride: “I am glad to be part of this day. First of all, I welcome our collector Tina ma’am. Being a woman, it’s an honour to welcome Tina ma’am…”
Post received many comments praising Kanwar. One user wrote, “Thanks Jalipa Sarpanch Madam, You are the lady who represents the empowerment of women in rural zones to increase their ability to out come.” Another user commented, “राजस्थानी पारंपरिक व भारतीय आधुनिकता का बेमिसाल दर्शन। सरपंच जी को प्रणाम।” An unmatched showcase of Indian Tradition and modernism. Salute to the sarpanch,”.
The “most” debatable part of the story, no one questioned about…
The video has sparked debate over the continued practice of the Ghunghat Pratha, a tradition often criticised for its regressive undertones.
While the sarpanch’s fluency in English and her ability to address the audience so confidently in a rural setting is undeniably praiseworthy, the juxtaposition of this modernity with the use of a ghunghat raises deeper questions. It prompts one to ask: Has Rajasthan truly moved beyond this widely criticised custom, especially when a mass leader is seen following it at a public function?What makes this moment even more surprising is that it unfolded in the presence of an IAS officer, Tina Dabi, a symbol of progressive change. The incident compels us to reflect on the coexistence of modern aspirations with deeply rooted traditions in the state.
