In three Lok Sabha polls as man, in fourth as woman

Vadodara deputy mamlatdar (revenue official) “Mr Nilesh Maheta” is now “Ms Bijal Maheta” after the surgery. Maheta has been on duty in all three general elections since 2009 – as “Mr Nilesh”. Despite being different in many ways, Maheta feels a deep sense of belonging to her team that has supported her unconditionally. “I am very excited about my duties as a woman. My colleagues here are more than family to me and have made me feel comfortable,” she told TOI.