‘Congress Will Survive & Revive To Serve The People’- Smt Margaret Alva in a Exclusive Interview
‘Congress Will Survive & Revive To Serve The People’- Exclusive Interview with Parliamentarian, former 29th Governor of Rajasthan; Former 17th Governor of Goa; and Former 4th Governor of Uttarakhand Smt Margaret Alva.
Mangaluru : Yours Truly of Team Mangalorean had an exclusive interview with Parliamentarian and former 29th Governor of Rajasthan; Former 17th Governor of Goa; and Former 4th Governor of Uttarakhand- Smt Margaret Alva, when she had visited St Aloysius College, Mangaluru for an Interface by Dr Rose Veera D’souza-HoD, Dept of Political Science, on “Reminiscences of a Political Journey” organized by the Dept of Political Science of St Aloysius College. A Great Parliamentarian, youngest to be elected to Rajya Sabha in the year in 1974, and serving five times as MP- four times to Rajya Sabha and 5th time to Lok Sabha, her saga from of being a party worker to a Minister was explained by her, while answering the questions during this interface. A great debater in her young days with commendable leadership skills translated into political dynamism, she was a great inspiration to the young minds during this interface.
Smt Margaret Alva during her 30 years in the Indian Parliament, served on some of Parliament’s most prestigious committees viz, the Committee on Public Undertakings (COPU) , the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), the Standing Committees on Foreign Affairs, Tourism and Transport, Science & Technology and Environment & Forests, and all the four major committees that involved Women’s Rights viz, the Dowry Prohibition Act ( Amendment) Committee, The Marriage Laws (Amendment) Committee, Equal Remuneration Review Committee, and the 84th Constitution Amendment Bill Joint Select Committee for 33% reservation for women in local bodies. She served as Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Empowerment of Women from 1999-2004.
Margaret Alva was born Margaret Nazareth on 14 April 1942 in Mangaluru. She obtained a BA degree from Mount Carmel College, Bengaluru and a law degree from Government Law College, also in Bengaluru. She was a keen and appreciated debater during her time at college and had some involvement in students’ movements. Ms Alva combined her work as an advocate with involvement in welfare organisations, eventually becoming president of the Young Women’s Christian Association. One of her early involvements was with the Karuna non-governmental organisation, which she founded and which was focused on issues relating to women and children.
In her HRD role, between 1985 and 1989, Ms Alva oversaw the Rajiv Gandhi-led government’s 28-point plan intended to improve the rights and involvement of women and children. In addition, she made proposals for various development corporations for women, and also campaigned for a greater prominence of women in government and in her party’s official posts. Her 1989 proposal that 33 per cent of seats in panchayat raj (local government) elections should be reserved for women became law in 1993. She continued her efforts to improve the lot of women during her period as Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions and Parliamentary Affairs (1991 and 1993-96[7]), where she tried to increase the number of female officeholders in various ministries and government organisations, such as the Union Public Service Commission and the judiciary. She has also been involved with women’s issues and related matters such as population growth on the international stage, notably through various United Nations bodies and in writings.
Smt Alva was elected to the 13th Lok Sabha as a Member of Parliament in 1999, serving a five-year term. Between 2004 and 2009, she served as General Secretary of the All India Congress Committee and was an advisor to the Bureau of Parliamentary Studies & Training, a government body that works with newly elected parliamentary representatives at both national and state level. She was Chairperson of the first SAARC Ministerial meet on Women in Development and a UNICEF sponsored Conference on Children in South Asia; Was part of the national delegation to the UN General Assembly in 1976 and 1997; a lawyer by profession and practiced with her husband Niranjan Alva in the Supreme Court; has lectured at Harvard and Columbia Universities; Recipient of the Rajiv Gandhi Excellence for her achievements in public life, and also of the First Nelson Mandela Award for minority empowerment.
FOLLOWING ARE THE EXCERPTS FROM THE EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH Smt MARGARET ALVA
Q : Could you reveal your political career in the Congress movement?
My mother-in-law, the late Violet alva died suddenly in the midst of the historic split of the Congress party in 1969. The family and friends in the party felt that I should get involved and carry on her tradition and legacy. I became a Member of the Congress Party in 1970 at Bengaluru, and worked with the late Devaraj Urs, who became the KPCC President of Congress (I), and I went on to hold various positions from Congress Block President to General Secretary of the AICC.
Q: You went on to become a parliamentarian. How do you describe yourself as the young woman in the Parliament– being the youngest in the Rajya Sabha. Your experiences from a back bencher to the treasury bench?
I had no idea till Mrs Indira Gandhi, the late PM of India picked me up to be a candidate for Rajya Sabha Elections. I had not applied for it either. It was that public speech that I made promoted me, as Mrs. Indira was impressed by it and then later as a minister in the Rajiv Gandhi Government , it was indeed a huge stride. My name included in the list of Rajya Sabha members was indeed a surprise to me. As a politician my major achievement was to get the govt recognize Siddhi Community as Schedule Tribe. I campaigned for the cause for over 25 years and finally the Centre recognized Siddhis of Uttara kannada as tribal”.
The Congress Party today faces many challenges . Internally it is challenge between the young turks and the old guards, who made it impossible for Rahul Gandhi to change things and bring in new faces and a fresh approach in the organization. A strong opposition is the need of the hour. But the opposition parties have failed to unite. Threats, money and offers of posts and power is the game of the BJP to keep them apart.
Q; What do you have to say about India under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi?
I am worried about the trends in the nation’s politics today. Policies like Demonetization messed up the GST; and an ever changing tax regime have ruined the economy. Freedom of speech and the media are under strain in the name of sedition and National security. Society is divided on basis of Religion.”One Nation, One Language, One Religion, One Part, and One Leader”is an emerging slogan, which is dangerous. Constitutional bodies are being demolished and Parliament is becoming a rubber stamp without debate. The nation is ruled through ruthless government agencies which are used for vendetta politics. All in all it is not a happy situation for the common citizen, under the Modi government.
Q: Tell us about your battle to change the situation of women in Indian airlines?
Ans: In the 1980’s in the national airlines there was a massive discrimination against women attendants. The discriminatory practices that were quite the rule in Indian Airlines. For example women could not continue to serve after 35 whereas men could still continue till 55 years of age. We had to put up a legal battle to change the situation. Me and my husband took up the fight in the apex court and the discriminatory rules of the civil aviation ministry were struck down. Winning this case for the air hostesses was the major success in my life ( smiling)”
Q: For a while you had bitter relationship with Sonia Gandhi and other top honchos in Congress, how is your association with them now?
My relationship with Ms Sonia Gandhi have always been good and they continue to be so. It is the media which unnecessarily gives false stories. I had given my autobiography before it was released, and she had respected my right to my opinions. So there is no bitter relationship between us both, at all.
Q: In April 2019, during elections your remarks on PM Modi led a Model code of conduct complaint against you, what is your response?
Yes- I received a notice from the Election Commissioner for my comments on the PM’s concern for Muslim wives, while his own wife was not divorced, she did not receive maintenance and she supported herself as a school teacher. What I said was in public domain. I replied and there was no further action.
Q: What do you have to say about Congress then (years ago) and Congress now?
The Congress has seen many ups and downs; victories and defeats; assassinations and tragedies. But it has survived and revived itself. Through all these challenges, it has served the people, brought in social change and built the economy on a sound foundation, keeping its left of the center politics intact. Congress is a party that believes in continuity with change.
Q: Tell us about your stint in the Lok Sabha Elections 1999- introducing 33 per cent reservations in the Parliament: ?
My involvement in the Lok Sabha Elections 1999 was by introducing 33 per cent reservations in the Parliament: It is unfortunate that 33% reservation didn’t pass. So during Rajiv Gandhi’s tenure it was taken to government at the grassroots – women participation in local governments.
Q: In your opinion, what kind of government that people of India need, while looking at the present economy and other crisis?
We are a Constitutional Democracy nation. The opinion of the citizens and their fundamental rights must be guaranteed and protected by the legal system. Freedom of speech, religion and association are fundamental rights which cannot be taken away. We need a government for the people.
Q: How’s your relationship with Rahul Gandhi and other top Congress leaders at the Centre?
I have seen Rahul grow up. He is a sensitive, humane and committed leader. I have great affection for him. My relationship with him and the Party leadership have been extremely good so far, and will continue the same way in future.
Q: How did you feel when you were awarded the 2018 Karnataka Rajotsava Award?
The Award came as a surprise to me. I had accepted it with humility and see it as a recognition of my service to the Karnataka State.
Q: Do you agree with people, when they say that the popularity of Congress is declining, and it was Rahul Gandhi who was responsible for downfall of Congress recently?
No, I do not agree with the people on this. The Congress will survive and revive to serve the people . Blaming Rahul Gandhi for the downfall of Congress is foolishness.
Q: What do you have to say about the collapse of Karnataka state govt so miserably in the recent election?
It was unfortunate, but the present government is just as unstable and unable to resolve its internal contradictions. Just wait and see, people will find out, the mistake they made by voting the present government into power.
Q : Your book “Courage and Commitment” was the best seller in India and abroad, what your opinion on that? Any plans of bringing out yet another book?
I am happy that my Book has been appreciated. It is now under translation in Kannada. Another Book is a possibility.
Q: Finally, your message to the readers of Mangalorean.com
Be proud of your heritage and traditions. To Mangalorean Catholics, I say, speak Konkani at home, and say your family prayers in Konkani. And also a family that prayers together stays together. As a Community we tend to be indifferent to socio-political issues. This must change-we have to be involved and speak when we must.