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Draft:Neeru Yadav

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  • Comment: Sources seem to mostly be churnalism and press releases/interviews with no author credit. The draft is bloated and promotional in tone. qcne (talk) 16:42, 24 September 2025 (UTC)

Neeru Yadav is an Indian social activist, educator, and the elected Sarpanch of Lambi Assembly constituency in Jhunjhunu district, Rajasthan.[1][2] She is popularly known as the Hockey Wali Sarpanch for her work in promoting Girl Hockey and Women's empowerment.[3][4] Her initiatives span sports, education, agriculture, sustainability, and community governance.[5]

Early Life and Education

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Neeru Yadav was born in Narnaul, Haryana and later moved to Chhapra Salimpur after her education[6][7]. She completed a Master of Science in Mathematics in 2013 and is currently pursuing a PhD in Geography.[1][8] She married Ashok Yadav, an Engineer from Lambi-Ahir village. [1]

Career

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Panchayat Leadership

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Yadav became the first woman Sarpanch of Lambi Ahir village in 2020, winning the Election with 1,240 votes.[8][9] She reinvested her sarpanch salary into community development and faced initial skepticism and societal barriers common for women leaders in rural India.[1][3]

Girls’ Hockey Empowerment

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A former teenage hockey player herself, Yadav formed a girls’ hockey team, funding uniforms, coaching, and a dedicated playground using her own salary over 2 years. [1][3][4][8][10] The team has competed and won at Panchayati raj block, and District levels, and some players have reached State religion. [3][7][11] Her vision includes expanding the team to the national level. [8]

Education and Skill Development

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Yadav has promoted vocational and academic advancement for girls, with multiple trainees placed in jobs after skill development programs under the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana.[1][3] She oversaw the renovation and digitalization of the local government school, investing over ₹7 lakh from personal savings. [1][4][10]

Agricultural Initiatives

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In January 2023, she established the Sachhi Saheli Mahila Agro Producer Company Limited, an all-women Farmers’ Producer Organisation (FPO) providing subsidized Agricultural seeds, Fertilizer and agricultural support to local farmers.[1][4][9][11] She signed a memorandum of understanding with National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development to strengthen farmers’ market access and reduce dependency on intermediaries.[9][12][13]

Sustainability and Environmental Initiatives

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Yadav launched multiple sustainability campaigns, including the Garbage-Free Marriage Functions initiative providing free steel utensils to reduce plastic use and composting organic waste for farmers.[1][12][13] She also spearheaded Mera Ped Mera Dost, distributing over 21,000 saplings through Government School. [3][4][5][14] Additionally, she initiated the Bartan Bank, allowing villagers to borrow steel kitchenware to combat plastic pollution.[5][15]

Financial Inclusion

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Yadav partnered with the State Bank of India to improve financial literacy among rural women, promoting the Sukanya Samriddhi Account, UPI adoption, and women’s financial empowerment.[1][4][5][10]

Media Appearances

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Yadav was invited as a chief guest on Kaun Banega Crorepati Season 15 in September 2023, where she played Hockey with host Amitabh Bachchan and won ₹6.4–6.7 lakh, which she pledged for women’s empowerment and girls’ education initiatives in her village.[16][1][4][5][17]

International Recognition

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In May 2024, Yadav represented India at the 57th session of the United Nations Commission on Population and Development (CPD57) in New York City, participating in the side event “Localizing the SDGs: Women in Local Governance in India Lead the Way. ”[1][3][5][17] She highlighted her initiatives in sports, education, agriculture, financial inclusion, and environmental sustainability. [18][4]

Community Safety Initiatives

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On May 12, 2023, Yadav collaborated with Jaipur Traffic Police and the Aditri Foundation to launch a road safety campaign, distributing helmets to two-wheeler riders and promoting traffic awareness. [19][1]

Awards and Recognition

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  • Shiksha Shree Award (2022) by the Rajasthan Government for contributions to school infrastructure and education. [1][4][5]
  • Recognized by UNICEF and the Rajasthan Panchayati Raj Department for women’s political participation and gender equality. [1][4]
  • Featured in the Rajasthan Public Service Commission (RPSC) exam materials as a case study for innovative local governance. [5][1][2]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p "Hockey Wali Sarpanch: Meet Neeru Yadav, who is breaking stereotypes with her pathbreaking work as village head in Rajasthan". Free Press Journal. Retrieved 2025-09-07.
  2. ^ a b "Who is Neeru Yadav? 'Hockey Wali Sarpanch' Who Transformed Village With Her Incredible Ideas". The Better India. Retrieved 2025-09-07.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g "Neeru Yadav, The "Hockey wali Sarpanch": A Dynamic Leader Igniting Change and Development in Rural Rajasthan". The Times of India. 2023-05-24. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2025-09-07.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Bureau, The Hindu (2022-12-03). "Rajasthan Sarpanch hailed for her women empowerment initiatives". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2025-09-07. {{cite news}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h "Kaun Banega Crorepati 15: Amitabh Bachchan played hockey with Neeru Yadav on the sets of the show". The Times of India. 2023-09-12. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2025-09-07.
  6. ^ Yadav, Riya (2023-09-21). "From Hockey-wali sarpanch to KBC chief guest". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 2025-09-07.
  7. ^ a b Reporter, Staff (2023-09-29). "Inspiring Journey of the 'Hockeywali Sarpanch'". SheSight. Retrieved 2025-09-07.
  8. ^ a b c d PR, ANI (2023-05-12). "Jaipur Traffic Police and Hockey Wali Sarpanch Neeru Yadav join forces for Road Safety Campaign in Jaipur". ThePrint. Retrieved 2025-09-07.
  9. ^ a b c "'Hockey Wali Sarpanch' inks pact with NABARD to strengthen farmers". mint. 2023-01-07. Retrieved 2025-09-07.
  10. ^ a b c "SBI & Rajasthan's Women Neeru Yadav Sarpanch organises the Financial Awareness Program". ANI News. Retrieved 2025-09-07.
  11. ^ a b "Neeru Yadav, the 'Hockey Wali Sarpanch', a dynamic leader igniting change in rural Rajasthan". The Times of India. 2023-05-20. Retrieved 2025-08-27.
  12. ^ a b PR, ANI (2023-02-06). "Rajasthan's Sarpanch initiates the 'Garbage Free Marriage Functions' Campaign". ThePrint. Retrieved 2025-09-07.
  13. ^ a b "Rajasthan's Sarpanch initiates the 'Garbage Free Marriage Functions' Campaign". Ahmedabad Mirror. Retrieved 2025-09-07.
  14. ^ "Amitabh Bachchan played hockey with Neeru Yadav on the sets of KBC". The Financial Express. 2023-09-16. Retrieved 2025-09-07.
  15. ^ "Bartan Bank Revolution: An Innovative Step Towards a Green India". ANI News. Retrieved 2025-09-07.
  16. ^ "Amitabh Bachchan played hockey with Neeru Yadav on the sets of KBC". The Financial Express. 2023-09-16. Retrieved 2025-09-07.
  17. ^ a b "'Hockeywali sarpanch' leads young women in Rajasthan village dribble past convention". The Times of India. 2023-06-23. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2025-09-07.
  18. ^ Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/women-in-panchayati-raj-institutions-to-take-part-in-un-session/articleshow/99905211.cms. {{cite news}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  19. ^ The Print https://theprint.in/ani-press-releases/jaipur-traffic-police-and-hockey-wali-sarpanch-neeru-yadav-join-forces-for-road-safety-campaign/1698043/. {{cite news}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
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