Meet Pune’s Gen Z women corporators: ‘Younger generation is capable and tech savvy, will excel with right mentorship’

Her decision to enter politics was shaped early on by her family, she says. Her father Vinod Orse is a former corporator, while her grandfather Chandu Anna Orse was known for his social work in the area. “I always had the willingness to join politics. My father advised me to first reach out to the people and work for them to understand public issues before entering active politics,” she said.

According to Orse, she did not hesitate to contest the elections at a young age due to the encouragement she received from her family, party workers and residents of the area. She said NCP leader Ajit Pawar trusted her work and gave her the opportunity to contest. “The party observed the social work I have been doing since 2022, including work during and after the COVID-19 period and initiatives for senior citizens. Giving responsibility to the younger generation is the need of the hour,” she said.

Speaking about priorities, Orse said Ward 7 has seen little development in the last nine to 10 years. During her door-to-door campaign, the residents repeatedly flagged issues related to garbage management, water supply and drainage. “In many areas, water supply lines and drainage pipes are mixed, affecting the quality of water. Solving this will be my priority,” she said, adding that improving road conditions will also be a key focus.

Orse is currently pursuing an MBA in Banking and Finance from Symbiosis University but has put her studies on hold due to the elections. “For now, resolving the issues in my ward is my priority. I will resume my education later,” she said.

On her future political plans, Orse said this victory only marks the beginning. “I want to work consistently and grow in this field. As my journey continues, the progress will be visible,” she said.

Residents of Gokhale Nagar, from where she hails, have affectionately named her “Gokhale nagarchi kanya (daughter of Gokhale Nagar)”. Orse said the support she received during campaigning gave her confidence. “Many people told me not to visit their homes and instead guided me to areas where I was needed. On election day, it felt like people were standing up for me,” she said.

Orse thanked voters, her father and party leadership for their support. “This victory belongs to the people who trusted me,” she said.

Actions speak louder than words: Siddhi Shilimkar

Siddhi Avinash Shilimkar is one of the youngest candidates who won this year’s PMC elections. The 22-year-old, who contested on a BJP ticket, emerged victorious from Ward No. 21 (Mukundnagar-Salisbury Park).

Shilimkar hails from a political family. While her father spent 25 years working for the BJP, her mother was elected as a corporator in 2017. Yet, she has her own standing. “For me, politics is more about social work and helping people,” she said.

Asked about her generation’s role in politics, Shilimkar said, “If you do a survey, there are more than 40 candidates across Maharashtra who are from Gen Z.” Her campaign strategy was based on a singular message: The youth should enter politics.

“Today’s youngsters are exceptionally capable, particularly when it comes to technology. Their abilities simply need to be channelled. With the right mentorship and opportunities, Gen Z is fully equipped to excel across fields. When I first entered politics, people said I was too young. But my family stood by me so well that I never felt that way. Even all the BJP leaders made me feel responsible,” Shilimkar added.

Speaking about working with other young winners from across parties, she struck a collaborative note. “When it’s about the country, ultimately, we come together,” she stated. On fellow BJP corporator Saee Thopte, 22, Shilimkar said, “I have met Saee, and our conversation went very well.”

Siddhi mentions concrete ward-level projects spanning education, healthcare, social infrastructure, and safety. Building on her family’s earlier initiative, she said, “My parents had started Sant Dnyaneshwar School as an English medium school. We are thinking about expanding it up to Class 10 with digital learning.” In healthcare, she highlighted upgrades at Khanna Municipal Hospital, “Previously there was no pathology lab here. We plan to install a sonography machine as well,” she said, emphasising affordable, high-quality services.

Social initiatives include a free yoga hall and study centre for aspirants who wish to crack the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) or the Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC), besides plans for a community sports complex. On safety, she stressed the psychological impact of policing, saying, “Even if there is just one policeman, people’s perspective changes. If there is no one, people are less aware. Hence, we plan to establish a police station in our area.”

During her campaign, Shilimkar encountered women in slums whose needs were simple. “Their only demand is: ‘Give us work’, because they want to earn,” she said. Referring to cooperative work groups like Lijjat Papad, she said. “I went there just three to four days ago and saw they had started something similar—making khicche, a type of papad. So, I plan to start something like this for those women, so they have work to do. We can’t employ everyone through the municipal corporation. The positions are limited.”

And what sets her apart from other young candidates? “I observe people very well, and I think I can speak very well. I feel people voted for me due to this reason.” Yet she resisted early self-assessment, insisting, “Actions speak louder than words. I am here to prove that.”

Advaya Apte and Swasti Jain are interns with The Indian Express.