After her electoral victory, Nagrota MLA Devyani Rana sat down for an in-depth conversation with Kashmir Magazine Editor Mohd Aslam Bhat. Speaking with candour, she opened up about carrying forward the legacy of her late father Rana sir, the challenges of public life, governance priorities, and her vision for the people of Nagrota.
Excerpts from the interview
KM: Congratulations on your victory. What is your first response to the people of Nagrota who have trusted you with this responsibility?
DR: My responsibility today is towards the 1,20,000 people of the Nagrota constituency. I am ready to serve as many people as I possibly can. The trust people have placed in me is immense, and I see it as a duty to maximise the extent to which I can serve society and contribute to the upliftment of people.
KM: Nagrota is considered one of the biggest constituencies in Jammu and Kashmir. How do you assess its challenges and opportunities?
DR: We were fortunate that over the past year, we got ample opportunities to meet people across the constituency and understand their issues closely. That helped us assess Nagrota in its entirety. Every constituency has its own unique challenges and unique opportunities, and Nagrota is no exception. We identified these challenges early on and started working on them as quickly as possible. During the elections, we were very honest with people. We told them clearly that the work which can be done at a fast pace will be done at a fast pace, and the work that requires more time will also be done as fast as possible but it will definitely be completed.
KM: One major public issue was the disruption of the DMU train service. Could you elaborate on that?
DR: Yes, that was a very big issue. The DMU train connected children and daily commuters from Sangar station to Jammu and Udhampur. People used it like a bus. For a long time, there was no alternative facility. Because of the expansion of Jammu railway infrastructure, there was disruption. Then floods further complicated the situation. But today, I feel very happy that the problem has been resolved quickly. Along with this, grants for schools have been released, rehabilitation of flood-affected families is underway, and we are seeing all this on the ground. We feel fortunate that, with the blessings we have received from the government and the constituency, we are able to implement the working style of Rana sir.
KM: You often refer to Rana sir’s legacy. How do you personally see that responsibility?
DR: There is no replacement for hard work. Hard work makes everyone proud. Rana sir’s legacy is rooted in relentless hard work and genuine love for the people. We visited this constituency multiple times. The first time was when Rana sir himself had planned programmes for Dhanyavaad Librota, where we visited all 49 panchayats. After that, we organised programmes specifically for women. On Women’s Day, in one block, we organised a women-only event where nearly 7,000 to 8,000 women participated. We also launched a women’s self-help group called Pooja Saathi Organic Dhoop. Later, during Operation Sindoor, we visited homes in the outskirts of the constituency. Just a week before the elections, the entire constituency faced devastation. Through all of this, one thing became very clear, there is no alternative to hard work.
KM: Losing a father while stepping into public life must have been emotionally challenging. How did you cope?
DR: Mr. Rana’s presence in our lives was the biggest blessing, and his absence is the biggest loss. This is rock bottom for us. Losing a father is a very deep wound. But the elders, brothers and sisters of the Librota constituency did the work of healing. Each and every person who stood by us is extremely precious. I feel I can never repay that debt.
Whenever I went to anyone’s house or met anyone, I never felt like I was meeting a stranger. That itself shows Rana sir’s legacy, the love, the connection and the trust he built with people.
KM: You had comparatively less time for campaigning. Did that become a major challenge?
DR: I firmly believe that challenges depend on your mindset. If I have to describe myself in one word, it would be grit, the determination to overcome challenges. I didn’t find any challenge so big that it could not be surmounted. And we were not alone. With Rana sir’s blessings and the support of people, everything became manageable. The biggest challenge in my life is living without my father. But I believe he himself sent angels into our lives, people who helped us immensely. With such support, no challenge feels insurmountable.
KM: Was there any anti-incumbency or anger among voters?
DR: I don’t think so. When elections were held after many years, Rana sir won his seat with one of the highest margins in Jammu and Kashmir. Unfortunately, he passed away shortly after.
If the same constituency chose him again after ten years, it clearly means something was done right. The voters didn’t express anger; rather, they felt they had lost a father figure. We consider it our good fortune to follow in the footsteps of Rana sir’s clear-minded vision and implement it honestly.
KM: Elections are often described as political battles. How did you view the competition?
DR: Elections are meant to be fought. The more the competition, the more vibrant democracy becomes. From day one, Rana sir said that Nagrota is his family and he must serve his family. We entered the electoral arena with that spirit of service. Ultimately, the real strength lies in the people, in the power of their right thumb. They exercised that power and decided who to elect.
Now the elections are over. We don’t think about competition anymore. Governance is the only focus.
KM: How confident are you about fulfilling the promises made in the manifesto?
DR: Our national vision under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi is our guiding light. The schemes introduced by the government provide a clear roadmap. If you have a proper SOP, implementation becomes easier. Ayushman Bharat has reached almost every household. New schemes like Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana 2025, which supports first-time job seekers with financial assistance and incentives for employers, are extremely important. Schemes must percolate to the grassroots. Our job is to act as a conduit so that people actually benefit.
KM: Governance often brings unforeseen challenges. How do you plan to deal with them?
DR: You must always take a 360-degree view of your constituency. Challenges evolve. Some issues cannot even be imagined a year earlier. Flexibility is essential. When distress emerges, it must be addressed immediately. My corporate background helps here. I look at impact how many people are affected, how many lives improve. With that mindset, we are trying to maximise social welfare and upliftment across the constituency.
KM: Finally, what message would you like to give to the people of Nagrota?
DR: My responsibility is towards the 1,20,000 people of Nagrota, and I am fully committed to serving them with honesty, dedication and empathy. With the blessings of the people and the vision laid down by Rana sir, I am confident that together we can build a stronger, more inclusive and more developed Nagrota.
