In a remarkable display of public service, a former gram panchayat member from Haveri district has captured local attention by dedicating his entire honorarium to community development, setting a new benchmark for grassroots governance.
A Quiet Story of Service in Jallapur Village
In Jallapur village of Savanur taluk, Haveri district, Sateesh Gouli has transformed his tenure in local governance into an inspiring narrative of selfless contribution. The 34-year-old lab technician, who served as a gram panchayat member from December 2020 to January 2024, recently revealed that he donated his complete five-year honorarium to three anganwadis and the government primary and high school in his village.
Election Without Expenditure
Gouli's approach to politics stands in stark contrast to conventional electoral practices. He told media sources that he deliberately avoided spending money to woo voters during his campaign. "I spent only Rs 1,964 on some pamphlets and logistical work," he explained. "Since voters supported me without expecting anything in return, I wanted to reciprocate their trust by channeling my monthly honorarium toward community welfare."
Elected with the highest votes among sixteen gram panchayat members in December 2020, Gouli received an honorarium of Rs 2,000 per month, accumulating to Rs 1.2 lakh over his tenure. He systematically allocated these funds to educational institutions in phases, ensuring sustained support rather than a one-time donation.
Comprehensive Contributions to Education
NS Rabanal, headmaster of the government high school in Jallapur, detailed Gouli's multifaceted support. "He provided one year of internet service and sponsored cabling for the borewell," Rabanal noted. "Additionally, he supplied a printer and constructed a compound wall for the primary school. His initiatives have significantly enhanced our infrastructure and learning environment."
For the anganwadis, Gouli undertook specific repairs and improvements:
- Repaired the building of one anganwadi
- Fixed the door of another anganwadi
- Provided electrical fittings and roof repairs for a third anganwadi
Blood Donation Advocacy and Community Impact
Beyond financial contributions, Gouli has been an active blood donor and campaigner for six years. He revealed, "We have a team of like-minded friends who have donated 1,200 units of blood to the district hospital. We've also established a panel of over 400 blood donors in the village. I believe people recognized this service and voted for me wholeheartedly."
His advocacy has inspired others, including Headmaster Rabanal, who donated blood five times following Gouli's campaign. Karabasappa Gondi, a police constable and fellow blood donation campaigner, observed that Gouli extended his awareness efforts to residents of surrounding villages, amplifying his social impact.
Personal Motivation and Professional Life
Gouli's commitment to public service is rooted in personal experience. He recalled being compelled to pay a bribe of Rs 15,000 for an e-swathu certificate in 2016-17, an incident that motivated him to contest elections and combat corruption in his village gram panchayat.
Professionally, Gouli owns laboratories in Hosaritti and Haveri, while his wife Shaila, a railway employee, actively supports his social endeavors. "My wife has been incredibly supportive of my activities," he affirmed, highlighting the role of family in sustaining his community work.
Gouli's story underscores how individual integrity and community-focused governance can create lasting positive change, offering a model for ethical leadership in local politics.
