Unlike many other women who have entered village politics, Barjinder is lucky to have a family which supports her in her new job. Her husband and children are pleased with her role as sarpanch. And her nephew, Ravinder Singh, says most men in the village don't object to a woman being in charge - as long as the job is well done. We're very happy with her as our sarpanch. Challenging feudalism At the Institute of Development and Communication, researchers who have been studying women's participation in village politics in Punjab say their findings show that stories like Barjinder's are still quite rare.
Many women are still afraid to challenge practices such as wife beating and dowry deaths.
And, many women's families also oppose their political activities - some have even been the target of violent attacks. But, Pramod Kumar, the Director of the Institute, says it is also important to remember that, given India's strong feudal conservatism, a crucial first step has been taken. Syeda Hameed, of the National Commission for Women, says real change at the top will only come with initiatives to create a path for women into politics from the grassroots. A play has been performed in Begowal village to educate villagers about family planning. It's another project which Barjinder is keen to promote in the few remaining years of her term as sarpanch.