Discover the inspiring journey of Bhagyashri Lekhami, a young woman from the remote village of Bhamragad Tehsil in Gadchiroli District. Her story is one of remarkable determination and courage, as she moves from her village to the city in pursuit of education and a brighter future. A pivotal moment in her life led her to embrace challenges and unexpectedly step into a leadership role. Witness how Bhagyashri transformed her village as the youngest sarpanch, turning obstacles into opportunities with courage and commitment Bhagyashri Lekhami, a trained boxer and volleyball player, chose to forgo her athletic aspirations at the age of 21 to become a leader for her community. In 2019, she was unanimously elected as an independent candidate to serve as the first sarpanch in Gadchiroli district. Representing nine villages in the Bhamragarh tehsil, she has dedicated herself to advocating for the needs and interests of her tribal community. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx