mobilization of previously underrepresented groups in India. There is an obstacle of literacy that many Panchayats face for engagement of villagers, with most development schemes being on paper. However, homes linked to the Panchayati Raj System have seen an increase in participation for local matters. The reservation policy for women on the Panchayat councils have also led to a substantial increase in female participation and have shaped the focus of development to include more domestic household issues. In popular culture In 2020, the Indian series Panchayat premiered with a second season in 2022. While Panchayat is mainly based on village life of an underpaid panchayat secretary, it also loosely highlights the day to day working of a panchayat and daily life in an ordinary Indian village in a humorous way. It succeeds in showing how women are sidelined in the panchayat politics even though government has mandated women representation and how elected Panchayat representatives often have to beg MP & MLAs for funds for their villages development. See also National Panchayati Raj Day Local self-government in India Notes and references Sources Nepal glossary, United States Library of Congress Article 333357, zeenews.com Article India994-07, hrw.org Further reading Mitra, Subrata K.; Singh, V.B. (1999). Democracy and Social Change in India: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of the National Electorate. New Delhi: Sage Publications. (India HB) (U.S. HB). Mitra, Subrata K.. (2001). "Making Local Government Work: Local elites, Panchayati raj and governance in India", in Kohli, Atul (ed.). The Success of India's Democracy. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Mitra, Subrata K.. (2003). "Chapter 17: Politics in India", in Almond, Gabriel A. et al. (eds.), Comparative Politics Today. 8th edition. New York: Addison-Wesley-Longman, pp. 634–684. (also reprinted in the 9th (2007), 10th (2012) and 11th (2015) editions) Palanithurai, Ganapathi (ed.) (2002–2010) Dynamics of New Panchayati Raj System in India. New Delhi: Concept Publishing Company. in seven volumes, volume 1 (2002) "Select States" ; volume 2 (2002) "Select States" ; volume 3 (2004) "Select States" ; volume 4 (2004) "Empowering Women" ; volume 5 (2005) "Panchayati Raj and Multi-Level Planning" ; volume 6 (2008) "Capacity Building" ; volume 7 (2010) "Financial Status of Panchayats" . Shourie, Arun (1990). Individuals, Institutions, Processes: How one may strengthen the other in India today. New Delhi, India: Viking. . Sivaramakrishnan, Kallidaikurichi Chidambarakrishnan (2000) Power to the People: The politics and progress of decentralisation. Delhi: Konark Publishers. External links Ministry of Panchayati Raj,