For decades, Janakpur suffered under oppressive Sarpanch Nathamukhi. The arrival of Leela, the daughter of a local martyr, changed everything. Her election as Sarpanch sparked a new era of progress and prosperity, transforming the village.

Janakpur is a village nestled on the edge of the Kutch desert. Its primary livelihood is animal husbandry. Despite India gaining independence 60 years ago, the village remained under the shadow of its old ways. Nathamukhi, the village Sarpanch, was feared and known simply as Mukhi. Although Sarpanch elections are held every five years, no one dared challenge him. However, Leela, the daughter of a local martyr, broke this pattern and defeated Nathamukhi in the election, marking his first defeat ever. Since then, Leela's leadership has transformed Janakpur dramatically. Under her guidance, Janakpur has blossomed into a tourist destination, attracting visitors from neighboring villages and across the country. The village now thrives as a key spot in Gujarat's tourism map. Local women donated their jewelry to build jeeps for tourists, and children, who once never attended school, now drive these jeeps. Leela's friends pick up tourists from the railway station, airport, and bus stand, and take them on tours around Kutch. At night, they return to Janakpur to enjoy traditional Garba dances. Leela's vision included showcasing the village's traditional Bhungas, where tourists are treated to communal meals. Her emphasis on "Vocal for Local" has generated new employment opportunities for villagers. However, Janakpur was targeted by Pakistani jihadists who planned to destroy it with bombs. A terrorist was sent to carry out this mission but was thwarted when Leela killed him with her arrow. In the end, victory belonged to patriotism, not to jihadists or traitors.—[email protected]