Based• on time-series data on 92 women candidates elected toGram Sabha and Panchayat Samiti levels in 'orissa, .the a~thor portrays an empirical picture on performance of women representatives in Panchayati Raj system. To ascertain their performance, she coverd in her survey significant contributing factors like .their socio-economic and political background, factors contributing to their success in election, their political socialisation, and participation. With the help of few indicators evolved in her survey, she also indicates the direction of change in the political empowerment of women.

Ozw n period of till0 decndi7s thi3 L7chi~ZJPii1PiifS of S A A R C Iinvr beeti disriinl dire to sevcrnl rcmoiis birt its sirccess iiz niniiifnbiiiig pence in tlie rrgioii cniiiiof be iriidertiiiried. LIiilikr other iiiore sirccessfril rqioiinl nssocintioiis bilnternl probleins hnzv frusfrnted coopernfizv efort in renliziri'g its obji>ctizles. Brit zvifli itzcremhg ~l z f e~~~~~~i i~~~i i~~ niiioiiy: irnfioirs if ruoill be iri~wisc to nqlrcf fhe orpiiisntion. Rnther eforfs slioirld be ninde to sfreiigflieii it for which liidin hns to plny prec~niinc~i~f role.

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Judged by outcomes India presents a poor case of governance. Most of the personnel steering the system are deficient in ethical values, attitude to serve the people and efficacy to manage their position as well as fu.nds for public benefit. Overwhelming personal interests cloak the noble intentions with which decisions are made. Even decisions are not free from the influence of powerful groups. However, there are instances of communities where materiai wealth is considered as less valuable in comparison to social capital like trust, cooperation, intergroup interaction and other immaculate human values which are intact despite their contact with the urban materialist culture and availability of huge fu.nds for development. The article captures a group of people, analyses their culture, the role of women representatives and argues that such values are imperative for ethical governance.