India

History Created! Hekani Jakhalu Becomes First Woman To Win Election

Hekani Jakhalu on Thursday created history by becoming the first woman to be elected to the Nagaland Assembly, after 60 years since it attained statehood.

She won the Dimapur-III constituency by defeating Azheto Zhimomi of the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) on a Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) ticket.

Nagaland has a poor record of women’s representation in politics, even though women play a very important role in both the economy and in social organizations in the state.

A total of 183 people contested the elections in Nagaland this time and only four of them were women.

Also read: Elections Result LIVE: BJP-NDPP Alliance Leading In 24 Assembly Seats In Nagaland

According to reported data, a total of 21 female candidates have contested in eight of the 21 assemblies and by-elections (preceding the current Assembly election) held in Nagaland since the formation of the state. The state has had only two women MPs to date.

The 47-year-old has a degree in law from the University of San Francisco, where she went after completing her graduation from Delhi University.

Hekani Jakhalu founded ‘YouthNet’ and the ‘Women’s Initiative for Social Entrepreneurship (WISE)’. She continues to work towards empowering youth and women in Nagaland and beyond.

Jakhalu has received numerous awards, including the Nari Shakti Puraskar (Highest Civilian Award for Women in India) in 2020 for her work in social entrepreneurship and women’s empowerment.

Delhi University alumnus, lawyer, social entrepreneur, and activist defeated her rival Azheto Zhimomi of the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) by 1,536 votes.

Also read: Supreme Court’s Historic Order On Election Officers Selection

Spriha Rai

Recent Posts

Hina Khan Hails 11 Years Of PM Modi’s Leadership; Highlights National Progress

As the nation marks 11 years under PM Modi's leadership, actress Hina Khan shares her…

2 hours ago

Subhash Ghai Hails PM Modi’s Transformative Vision For India

Subhash Ghai has praised PM Narendra Modi’s leadership for catalysing India’s growth and changing the…

3 hours ago

India & Central Asia Boost Rare Earth Cooperation At Delhi Meet

India and five Central Asian nations have agreed to deepen cooperation on rare earths and…

3 hours ago

PM Modi’s Beej Se Bazaar Tak Vision Reshapes Indian Agriculture

Prime Minister Modi has redefined Indian agriculture with the ‘Beej Se Bazaar Tak’ vision, transforming…

4 hours ago

EV Sales Cross 4% Mark In May; Signalling Steady Shift To Green Mobility

EV sales topped 4% of passenger vehicle retail in May 2025, signalling growing demand for…

4 hours ago

Self-Reliant Defence Industry Marks India’s Strategic Security Ascent

One year into Modi 3.0, reforms have reduced poverty, strengthened defence, and accelerated the digital…

4 hours ago