Munish Sood
Mandi
In a notable example of commitment and changing gender roles in public administration, Rewati Saini has emerged as one of the first women Sector Officers in Mandi district to successfully oversee election operations across some of the most remote and geographically challenging polling stations during the ongoing Panchayati Raj elections.
Currently serving as District Language Officer, Mandi, Saini was entrusted with the responsibility of Sector Officer for Katoula sector in Sadar Block, an area known for its difficult terrain, scattered habitations and high-altitude polling locations. The assignment, traditionally handled by male officers owing to its demanding nature, required extensive travel across mountain roads, forest tracks and remote villages situated between 7,000 and 9,000 feet above sea level.
The sector covers seven panchayats and 43 polling stations spread across a vast mountainous belt stretching from the Uhl valley near Kamand to the higher reaches of Tehri and Parashar. Villages under the sector include Segli, Tehri, Katoula, Sakrayar, Kamand, Navalay and Riyagari, among others.
As Sector Officer, Saini was responsible for ensuring the smooth conduct of polling operations, including inspection of polling stations, coordination with polling personnel, availability of election materials, monitoring voting arrangements and facilitating the safe movement of ballot boxes to designated strong rooms after polling.
The assignment demanded long hours and extensive travel. On polling days, she routinely left home before dawn to reach remote polling stations in time for the commencement of voting at 7 a.m. Several polling locations, including Sakrayar, Arnehad, Solang, Kundakh, Neri, Nishu, Baroun, Tehri, Lanjhanu, Bodandhar and Darlog, are located in rugged high-altitude areas where access often involves navigating narrow roads, steep mountain tracks and isolated stretches.
Even after polling concluded, her responsibilities continued late into the evening as she supervised the collection and transportation of ballot boxes for Block Development Committee and Zila Parishad elections to the strong room in Mandi, often returning home close to midnight.
Speaking about her experience, Saini said the assignment had offered valuable professional exposure and reinforced her belief that women are capable of undertaking any responsibility entrusted to them.
“There is no work that women cannot do. The election duty provided an opportunity to learn, gain field experience and understand the realities of life in some of the district’s most remote areas. I am grateful to the administration for reposing confidence in me and giving me this responsibility,” she said.
She noted that the experience also provided a closer understanding of the resilience and challenges faced by people living in remote mountain communities.
Saini’s successful handling of election duties in one of Mandi district’s most difficult sectors has been widely viewed as a reflection of the growing role of women in frontline governance and election management. Her performance has underscored the increasing confidence being placed in women officers to lead critical field assignments, even in the most demanding conditions.
As Panchayati Raj elections continue across Himachal Pradesh, her achievement stands out as a significant example of dedication, professionalism and the expanding participation of women in key administrative responsibilities.
