Ep 2. Bhootha Ped

Panchayat season 1 episode 2 is titled "Bhootha Ped." The episode starts with Abhishek Tripathi, the protagonist, trying to find a suitable spot to take a leak. He spots a tree in a secluded area and heads towards it. However, he is quickly spooked by the tree, which he thinks is a Bhootha Ped, or a haunted tree.

Abhishek tells his colleagues about the Bhootha Ped, but they dismiss it as superstition. However, when they go to the village to install a new hand pump, they find that the villagers are indeed scared of the Bhootha Ped. They refuse to help the team install the hand pump as they believe that disturbing the tree will bring misfortune.

Abhishek, being a city boy, finds it hard to wrap his head around the villagers' beliefs. He tries to convince them that the tree is just a regular tree, but they are not convinced. He then decides to take matters into his own hands and comes up with a plan to scare the villagers into believing that the tree is harmless.

He asks his colleague, Pankaj, to dress up as a ghost and pretend to haunt the Bhootha Ped. Abhishek plans to capture the entire act on camera and show it to the villagers. However, the plan is not foolproof. When Pankaj starts pretending to be a ghost, the villagers are frightened out of their wits. They think that the ghost is real and refuse to come near the Bhootha Ped.

Abhishek realizes that his plan has backfired. He apologizes to the villagers and tells them that he too believes in the power of nature. He convinces them that the Bhootha Ped is indeed a special tree and promises to protect it. The villagers are pleased with Abhishek's change of heart and agree to help him install the hand pump.

The episode ends with Abhishek walking back to his room, feeling content that he was able to make a positive difference in the villagers' lives. He realizes that there is a lot he has yet to learn about rural life, but he is excited to continue his journey in the village.

Overall, the episode is light-hearted and humorous while also giving a glimpse into the cultural beliefs and customs of rural India. It also highlights the protagonist's growth as he learns to respect and appreciate the villagers' way of life.