“How has Panchayat as Media Helped You Understand the Concept of Community in India”
INTRODUCTION
Panchayat is a dramatized comedy talking about the struggles of an engineering graduate in search of jobs as the secretary of the head of a small village in Uttarakhand. With a bare minimum amount of salary, he expresses his own detest for it to his friends saying that he only applied for it to be on his resume. Abhishek is met with several difficulties on the first day of arriving in Phulera including the fact that the keys to the office were lost, his bike was dented and not having proper food. Unaware of the difficulties he was going to face moving forward, he continued with a singular aim in his mind preparation for the CAT exam.
Throughout the entire season, Panchayat offers a dramatic yet insightful look into a village that does not have too many modern facilities and how an outsider is often treated in the village. It also talks about how different city’s glamorous life is over the life in the village and often the reluctance of people to integrate and compromise on their situations.
CHARACTER DYNAMICS
Panchayat focuses on several different characters throughout the show, their interactions and how each of them has a different personality and character development through the eight episodes. Though sometimes some characters seem redundant, the character development slowly starts to peek out. It talks about how Abhishek slowly from hating the place starts to develop a certain liking for the people and surroundings around him. The show also seems to want to portray the adaptability of individuals.
Abhishek Tripathi is the main character of the show. The story starts with his entry into Phulera after applying for a job as the secretary of the Panchayat Raj of the village. With a meagre salary of just only 20000, he wants more so he is just preparing for CAT, hoping for a better job. There are several different obstacles he faces such as the frequency of electric shortages that often hinder him. As soon as he tries to solve this by cutting branches of a ‘Bhootiya Pedh’, he for the first time is met with the traditions and superstitions in the village. Later on, he faces difficulties in the furniture arrangements as well and he gets to know that he has to go through several legal channels to get a comfortable chair for himself which slowly also shows the inadequacies of the governance system.
Brij Bhushan Dubey who is actually Pradhan’s husband is the unofficial or effective head of the village welcomes Abhishek into the village along with two others. He is the one who tries to be welcoming to him after he loses the keys to the office. He invites Abhishek for a meal at his place and gives him a place to sleep when they are unable to acquire the keys to the office. His unofficial election as a head was merely due to the fact of the women's reservation policy. He elected his wife for the position and now she plays as a puppet Pradhan. His dynamic with all the individuals of the villagers show that he is well known across the village and respected elder of the village and manages all political affairs within the village. This is also shown how he has the most land in the entire village along with two washrooms in his own home.
Vikas is part of the committee that welcomes Abhishek into the village. He is the one who prevents the entire pedal to be eaten by both Brij Bhushan and Prahlad. He is the one who tries to introduce Abhishek about the wonders of their village and even rushing towards the market to get a copy of the office keys. He also seems to be a kind-hearted person as seen by his interaction on screen with everyone in the village. He, along with Prahlad, tries to bridge the gap between the villagers and Abhishek.
Prahlad helps Abhishek to slowly integrate himself into the village. He even joins a laughter therapy group on Abhishek’s insistence. He helps him understand the rural lifestyle. Prahlad, along with Vikas, embodies the voice of the community and guides Abhishek, reflecting mutual respect despite his frustration with the villagers’ pace of life.
COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION
Panchayati Raj is often said to be the grass-level government that is present in India. The constitution gives several rights and powers to the most basic level of authority and this helps them in providing proper support and guidance to the area they govern. "Panchayat" means an institution (by whatever name called) of self-government constituted under Article 243B, for the rural areas (CONSTITUTION OF INDIA, PART IX).
The series throughout the duration tries to depict the various common problems that are faced and how often it is a group decision that leads to its solution.
The characteristics of such sub-group-specific participation practices seem to revolve around four major areas
which are:
Awareness Concerns
Indifference
Restrictions and Constraints in Participation
Rural Elite Capture.
They participate in the following methods.
Active Engagement: The villagers occasionally took part in Panchayat meetings and shared their concerns, such as when they wanted to install a security guard or protect the ‘Bhootiya path’. Their presence in these discussions showcases a level of democratic participation, where they voice opinions, seek solutions and have a symbol in the midst. The way they almost had similar reactions to an outsider getting the post of a secretary was similar.
Resistance and Compliance: When Abhishek suggested cutting the branches of the ‘bhootiya path’ to improve mobile connectivity and internet connection for his own preparation, the community resisted due to superstitions. This incident reflects both their attachment to cultural beliefs and their ability to challenge outside perspectives, influencing the direction of community action.
Gram Sabha Meetings: The villagers seemed to participate in the Gram Sabha meetings that Brij Bhushan called to take collective decisions such as rejecting Abhishek’s idea of cutting down the tree and they exercised their right to also vote in the election.
Neighbourhood Watch: It was shown through the season that the people of the village looked after each other and tried to do their best to throw a dime in when they thought there was any trouble for the others of the village.
Involvement in Local Government: The villagers often came to the Panchayat office to tell Abhishek about their problems or complaints about the absence of local amenities. In one episode, when one villager tries to appoint his son as a security guard for the Panchayat office, the pushback that Abhishek receives when he tries to say no shows that people actively engage in the affairs of the village panchayat.
Informal Social Gatherings and Community Engagement: In one episode they showed how there was a laughter therapy group in which Abhishek participated to reduce his stress and resistance to the village environment. Along with that, it was also shown that there are festivals that are celebrated in the village according to religious alliances.
COMMUNITY ISSUES
Several issues were addressed throughout the season of Panchayat which showed the problems often faced by people in a village community due to lack of resources and a slow bureaucratic system.
Gender roles: Through the show, it was seen that even though the actual Pradhan was Manju Devi, she seemed to play no role in the actual governance of the area. Instead, her husband takes that role and sets out guidelines that are to be followed by the villagers. However, as the series progresses, she begins taking a more active interest in her role. Encouraged by her interactions with Abhishek and the villagers’ changing attitudes, she slowly steps into her position of authority, signalling a shift in gender roles within the village’s governance. This evolution reflects a subtle but important form of female participation and empowerment but often this is not possible. Abhishek comes from a culture that openly accepts women who work but in a village where they play the roles of housewives, it was important for his acceptance.
Superstitions and Beliefs: Superstitions like the ‘bhootiya pedh’ often demonstrate how traditional beliefs can influence community development. Though Abhishek initially finds them limiting, he learns to navigate them respectfully, highlighting a need for sensitivity in proposing change. This is also because he slowly develops an open relationship with the villagers who bring forth their concerns to him when required. Policies often need to be made to ensure these concerns of the people are met.
Bureaucratic Challenges: The show highlights the challenges that are often faced due to the slow and inefficient bureaucratic process present. This is also due to the difficulty of delivery of goods common to the city, there were several challenges that Abhishek faced such as ordering the ‘pahiya waali kursi’. He had to go through several channels to just get the request approved. Even routine tasks like filling out applications or arranging meetings involve layers of approvals and formalities, which slow down progress and lead to frustration. With this, the villagers have been denied access to materials that could easily help them in the long term. They look for some ‘jugaad’ but often these methods fail and are not effective over a long period of time.
Integration into Society: It was after only a long and gruelling process that Abhishek was accepted within the community. Not that it was the fault of the villagers, but accepting an outsider such as Abhishek in their close-knit community was difficult for them. Slowly though, they start to treat him like one of their own, telling him their problems of daily life and yet setting clear boundaries about their ideals and thoughts to him. Slowly though over the show, Abhishek can be treated as one of them.
Systematic Barriers: Often the long-lasting bureaucratic failure leaves behind its wounds. This is because the villagers have gotten so used to the inefficacies that even an efficient government would need time to quickly implement policies and make sure that the resources for the village are well distributed across everyone. Along with this, there is also the oppression of women, seen for Manju Devi who only slowly starts to take over some responsibilities towards the end of the show after coaxing from Abhishek. Yet she doesn’t take over the whole duty of a Pradhan and her husband still enjoys enormous benefits and powers.
CULTURAL REPRESENTATION
Panchayat offers an authentic look into the village life of Phulera or any village for that matter. It highlights the unique culture, values and social dynamics of a village community. The series captures the inner wheel of a village. It shows the daily life of people through the eyes of an individual coming from the city. Abhishek talks about the traditions, superstitions, beliefs and community engagement present there through the governing office body present in the village.
Respect for Tradition and Authority: Even before Abhishek came to Phulera, there was a certain air of respect for the ‘Pradhan Pati’ across the village. In the introductory scenes of the season, it was shown that no one really questioned the authority of Brij Bhushan and he was allowed to go to everyone’s fields. The series also shows how villagers respect social hierarchies, whether they are based on age, experience, or gender roles. Pradhan Pati, although not the official village head, has an unspoken authority in the village due to his experience, influencing both his wife Manju Devi (the official Pradhan) and the villagers.
Community Collective Decisions: When the decisions are made, they are made following the belief system of the individuals in the village. For example, when Abhishek tried to cut down the tree branches, there was strong opposition from the villagers about it. This showcases their cultural identity and the connections that they built up with things surrounding them. Abhishek learns that making progress requires navigating these beliefs, showing that decision-making in the Panchayat system must respect local customs to be effective.
Superstitions and Beliefs In Everyday Life: Throughout the show, it was shown that the villagers have a strong sense of self-belief in the ideas they seem to cultivate within themselves. Starting from the land acquisition to the nature surrounding them, the villagers had a certain system ongoing. This was seen when it was explained that it was only because there was a compulsion to vote for a woman pradhan, Manju Devi voted for such and even she too accepted her role as just the mock and only after a long time did she slowly start to take up responsibility.
Strong Community and Cohesion between Everyone: The show seems to depict the closeness that everyone typically enjoys in such close-knit communities as that of the village. They talk about how Brij Bhushan knew everyone in the village along with the land they owned. Their collective actions are seen in group gatherings, informal discussions, and laughter sessions that even Abhishek later participated in. This collective identity reinforces the idea that community matters above individual concerns, and it reflects the communal approach to engagement in rural India.
LESSONS LEARNED
Panchayat provides several valuable lessons about community work and engagement, particularly in rural or culturally diverse settings. The series highlights how patience, respect, and cultural sensitivity are essential in effectively working with communities.
Patience and Adaptability are Keys: One of the biggest challenges Abhishek faces is adapting to a community and a lifestyle vastly different from what he’s accustomed to, living the majority of his life in the city. The series shows that effective community work requires a willingness to observe, understand, and gradually adapt to the local context. In community initiatives, patience is critical. Changes may not happen immediately, and those working with communities need to respect the pace at which communities are ready to move. Developing genuine trust takes time, especially when introducing new ideas.
Respect for Local Beliefs and Traditions: Abhishek learns to respect local superstitions, such as the villagers’ belief in the ‘bhootiya’ pedh. Instead of dismissing their beliefs, he navigates them with sensitivity even when he himself thinks that the idea is very limiting to himself. When working in culturally rich communities, respecting local customs and beliefs is vital. Initiatives that acknowledge and incorporate these beliefs are more likely to gain acceptance. Rather than challenging local traditions outright, community workers can find ways to incorporate or work around them to achieve mutual goals.
Building Relationships and Trust: The series emphasizes the importance of relationships in community work. Abhishek’s friendship with Vikas and Prahlad, as well as his evolving relationship with Pradhan Pati and Manju Devi, are crucial to his integration into the community. These bonds give him insights into the villagers' perspectives and make his work more effective.
Empowering Local Leaders: Although Manju Devi is the official Pradhan, her husband initially takes on the leadership role due to her lack of experience. However, by the end of the season, she begins stepping into her role with more confidence. This shift highlights the value of empowering local leaders rather than solely relying on outsiders.
Flexibility in Problem-Solving: The series often shows Abhishek finding unconventional ways to work around bureaucratic and logistical challenges, like improvising to solve problems when resources are limited. This “jugaad” or resourcefulness reflects the need to be flexible and creative in community work.
Prioritizing Community-Driven Solutions: Throughout the series, Abhishek learns that trying to impose solutions without considering the community’s needs or perspectives doesn’t work. Instead, when he listens to the villagers and incorporates their input, he sees better results. Solutions that are developed with community input are more likely to succeed. Engaging the community in identifying issues and developing solutions is important in the long run.
Embracing Mutual Learning: While Abhishek initially sees himself as the one bringing knowledge to the village, he eventually realizes he has a lot to learn from the community. His journey underscores the importance of approaching community work with humility and openness to learning. Successful community engagement requires a mindset of mutual learning.
PERSONAL REFLECTION
A community is a complex connection of individuals present in an area. Panchayat is one such show that tries to bring this element of community together and explore it through both the eyes of Abhishek, a person from the city used to that kind of land versus the eyes of the villagers who are used to living in those conditions that are present. This resonates with the idea and quote “Rome wasn’t built in one day but was burned in one”. By this, Abhishek had to work hard, adapt and have the patience to adjust to the village life while even one misstep from his side, would lead to the fallacy and lose the trust of the people surrounding him. Abhishek’s journey shows that real engagement involves immersing oneself in the local context, listening to people’s concerns, and finding a balance between modern solutions and traditional practices.
Watching Panchayat feels like a window into the warmth, challenges, and intricate dynamics of rural Indian life. It’s a refreshing take on village governance, humorously yet honestly portraying the reality of life in a small, close-knit community. The important thing is finding purpose and meaning in unexpected places. Abhishek’s initial reluctance to work in Phulera is replaced by a sense of responsibility and attachment. The journey is about more than career advancement or monetary gain; it’s about understanding people, solving real problems, and making a difference. This transformation shows that fulfillment often comes not from where we are, but from the connections we make and the purpose we find in our work, however small it may seem.
REFERENCES
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