Chhavi Rajawat: From Being India’s Youngest Sarpanch With An MBA degree To TheGlitz Super Woman 2025 Who’s Changing the Game

Share this on

Share on facebook
Share on twitter
Share on whatsapp
Share on email
Chhavi

Chhavi Rajawat:

When the TheGlitz Super Woman 2025 list came out, it celebrated an eclectic group of women who had redefined what it means to be a powerhouse in their respective fields. Among the names that stood out, Chhavi Rajawat, who started off as India’s youngest Sarpanch who traded her MBA degree to work at Soda village in Rajasthan, and was a beacon of hope and inspiration. With a unique blend of courage, intelligence, and a vision for social change, Chhavi didn’t just fit into the title of TheGlitz Super Woman 2025… she embodied it.

I had spoken to her way back in 2010 for India’s best women magazine SAVVY and was very impressed with her work even then. To see her evolve and continue to make such a significant impact over the years has only deepened my admiration for her dedication to transforming rural India.

Chhavi
2010 when Chhavi Rajawat did an interview for SAVVY

In an era where ambition often feels synonymous with a corporate ladder-climbing race or chasing big city glamour, Chhavi chose a very different path. Instead of following the well-trodden route, though she was armed with an MBA degree, she decided to take on something more impactful, something that would truly change lives. Her story is one of going back to her roots, working with the grassroots, and effecting real change in a way that few have dared to before. A woman who could have easily soared in the world of business or glamour chose instead to lead her village to a brighter future… and she did it with flair, grace, and sheer willpower.

Chhavi Rajawat: The Rural Rockstar: A Woman with a Mission

Chhavi Rajawat’s journey began far from the corporate boardrooms of Mumbai or the high-rise apartments of Delhi. Born and raised in the bustling heart of Jaipur, she was always encouraged to think big. She earned a degree from the prestigious Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Ahmedabad, a place that nurtured her business acumen. But Chhavi’s real calling wasn’t in the polished world of corporate strategy or advertising campaigns; it was in the dusty roads of rural India.

At the age of 29, Chhavi became the Sarpanch of Soda

At the age of 29, she made the bold decision to leave behind her successful career in business management to become the Sarpanch (village head) of Soda, a small village in Rajasthan. While most people her age were busy advancing in their careers, Chhavi took a completely different route. It wasn’t about the glamour of a title; it was about having a platform to make a real difference in people’s lives. And in a world where leadership is often seen as a male-dominated domain, Chhavi’s decision was as radical as it was inspiring.

Reinventing Rural India: One Step at a Time

When Chhavi became the Sarpanch of Soda, the village was facing a host of challenges… lack of basic infrastructure, poor sanitation, limited access to education, and a general sense of despair. But rather than being daunted by the scale of these problems, Chhavi rolled up her sleeves and went to work.

In the years that followed, she brought about transformational changes in Soda. She focused on building essential infrastructure, improving sanitation, and ensuring that women and children had access to education. The village, once struggling to survive, began to thrive under her leadership. What was perhaps most remarkable was how Chhavi managed to bring the community together, motivating people to actively participate in their own development.

Her leadership was not about commanding from the top down; it was about collaboration, inclusion, and inspiring change from within. Chhavi understood that real transformation happens when everyone gets on board, and she made sure to involve the villagers every step of the way. With initiatives like building clean toilets, creating awareness about health and hygiene, and even starting a program to educate girls, Chhavi Rajawat proved that leadership doesn’t require a suit and tie, it requires heart, vision, and a willingness to get your hands dirty.

TheGlitz Super Woman 2005: A Title That’s Well Deserved

So, why is Chhavi Rajawat a TheGlitz Super Woman 2005? The question answers itself when you look at the breadth of her accomplishments and the impact she’s made. While others might have chosen to lead glamorous, easy lives, Chhavi opted to take on the hard task of rural development, and she did it with aplomb. Her ability to turn a struggling village into a thriving community is a testament to her grit and determination.

But being TheGlitz Super Woman is not just about what you do… it’s about how you do it. Chhavi’s approach is rooted in empathy and inclusivity. She’s the perfect blend of fierce ambition and unwavering compassion. Whether she’s tackling an infrastructure project, educating women about their rights, or promoting sanitation, Chhavi Rajawat exudes a level of commitment that makes her a true trailblazer.

The Bold, Beautiful, and Fearless Chhavi

Chhavi Rajawat’s inclusion in TheGlitz Super Woman 2025 list is a recognition of her contributions not only to her village but to rural India as a whole. She proved that being a woman in a leadership position isn’t just about defying stereotypes… it’s about smashing them and setting new standards for what a leader can and should be. Her work challenges traditional notions of power and influence, showing that leadership is about service, not superiority.

Her story isn’t just inspiring for women, it’s inspiring for anyone who believes in the power of determination, vision, and community. Chhavi Rajawat is a woman who didn’t wait for change to happen – she made it happen. And in doing so, she showed us all that a superwoman isn’t someone who excels in everything for herself; she excels in making the world better for everyone.

A Legacy in the Making

Chhavi Rajawat’s story is far from over. As a TheGlitz Super Woman 2005, she has already established herself as a symbol of leadership, resilience, and empowerment. But her true legacy lies in the way she has sparked a movement…. one that encourages others to step up, to lead with compassion, and to make a tangible difference in their communities. Whether it’s through her work in Soda or the broader impact she’s had on rural development, Chhavi has proven that the future is female, and it’s looking a whole lot brighter because of women like her.

In a world full of distractions, Chhavi Rajawat has reminded us all that sometimes the most powerful way to change the world is by rolling up your sleeves and diving in, headfirst. No wonder she’s TheGlitz Super Woman!

Share on facebook
Share on twitter
Share on whatsapp
Share on email

Tags

Related articles

In a vociferous world where sustainability is loudly advertised and terroir is often romanticised, Mayukh Hazarika prefers a quieter, more disciplined approach... do the work first, talk later, if at all. Founder & CEO of Raincheck Earth Co. and the mind behind Cherrapunji Eastern Craft Gin, Mayukh operates from Shillong with a worldview shaped as much by abundance as by constraint.
It's a deluge... 700 crores and still counting... The rousing 'Dhurandhar' wave not only 'tornado'ed box offices across the world, but it also shattered all sorts of records - from being the most watched film worldwide and supposedly, most pirated too especially in Pakistan, to getting explosively 'Gram'med with the blitzkrieg of viral 'Hamza' (Ranveer Singh's character in Dhurandhar) spy reels... Sumita Chakraborty, Founder & Editor-in-chief, TheGlitz, muses over and analyses the runway success and hyper-visible world-wide appeal of 'Dhurandhar'.
Ask any Milagro regular, and they would surely tell u that Executive Chef Jose Manuel Borrallo Sanchez doesn’t just cook, oh no... he is this culinary magician that tells delectable yet simple stories on a plate, letting ingredients take centre stage while technique plays its part in the background. At Milagro, his Contemporary Mediterranean cuisine is guided by a deep respect for ingredients and a love for seasonal produce.
Christmas Tree lighting ceremonies across Bangalore this December proved that the city's hospitality scene doesn't merely celebrate; it performs. We witnessed Bengaluru's tallest 21-foot tree at Manyata, a 12-foot Yule Log Cake at Hebbal, a Tree of Peace adorned with wishes from Bollywood royalty, and artisan-crafted ornaments carrying 300 years of legacy. Seven destinations, seven unforgettable evenings of mulled wines, carol singers, and Santa arrivals that left us utterly enchanted. Tree lighting is only act two of our Christmas trilogy. The feasting season awaits. Stay tuned!
For Chaitali B Roy, culture is not observed from a distance... it is lived, listened to, and gently translated into story. A Kuwait-based author, journalist, broadcaster and podcaster with over two decades of immersive engagement across the Gulf and India, Chaitali has built her life’s work around listening deeply, documenting gently, and preserving stories that might otherwise fade into silence. In an exclusive interview with Sumita Chakraborty, Founder & Editor-in-chief, TheGlitz, the immensely talented Chaitali B Roy opens up about her books Sadaaqa and Women of Kuwait: Turning Tides - memory, migration, silence, trust and the responsibility of preserving stories that sit at the intersection of history and heart...
Bollywood, with all its glitz, glamour, and cinematic spectacle, has always fascinated audiences not just on screen, but also behind it. 'Behind The Big Screen' – The Untold Stories Of Bollywood’s Child Actors by Sunanda Mehta and Suchitra Iyer offers exactly that rare glimpse. This book fascinatingly delves into the lives of the kids who once lit up our screens, exploring the joys, struggles, and unique pressures of growing up under the spotlight. It’s a celebration, a revelation, and sometimes, a revelation that tugs at the heart.