At 23, she looks like any other student on the verge of a career and the most unlikely career for her seems to be politics. But Sadia Rafiq is now the youngest corporator from Lucknow and is all set for a career in politics.

Sadia has been elected as an independent candidate from Tilaknagar ward, defeating the BJP candidate. Her father Rafiq Ansari and brother Adil have been corporators from the same ward, but this time, the seat was reserved for women.

“I belong to a family of politicians. My father, uncle and brother are already active in politics and have contested elections too. When I expressed the desire to join politics and serve the people, there was no resistance from the family. I am well versed with the intrigues of politics and hope to move ahead without much problem,” she says.

 Sadia is presently doing her graduation in mass communication and has a keen interest in photography.

“Journalism is closest to politics and that is why I chose this field,” she explains.

In her new avatar as a corporator, Sadia plans to fight for basic amenities in her ward. “There is a problem of clean drinking water in my ward. Women have to line up for a bucket of water. The drainage system has almost collapsed. Besides, I want to empower women who have remained within the confines of their homes till now,” she says.

Sadia admits that it was her education that helped her win the elections. “When my voters came to know that I am studying, they encouraged me by choosing me. They see new hope in me and I have to live up to their expectations,” she says.

This young politician, however, is clear that she will not give up her education though politics is a full time career. “It is difficult, but not impossible. In fact, I also want to do my master’s in mass communications,” she says, adding that well educated people must join politics if they wish to make a difference.

She feels that women who join politics should also learn to take their own decisions instead of being governed by their husbands, fathers and sons.

source: http://www.sundayguardianlive.com / Sunday Guardian Live / by Our Correspondent / December 10th, 2017