One Tough Cookie
HEART 2 HEART - MAY 29, 2005
BY ETHEL DA COSTA
Time to tame Goa's political beasts
I like spunky women. I like women who hold out for a dream. I like women who run with the wolves. That's why I think Nirmala Sawant is one tough cookie.
It takes 39 years of steadfast loyalty to hold on to a dream. And one heart wrenching decision to break the chains on the feet and learn to swim in the ocean with the sharks. Nirmala Sawant, the much talked about Independent candidate fighting a mighty battle in Cumbharjua is one hell of a tough rookie. And for that she has my respects. Not many women that I know dare
to venture out when the odds are stacked against them. But not many women have the gumption of Nirmala Sawant, holding her own fort in a very male bastion. Especially, the unassuming ex Congress stalwart who has today donned the hat of a political maverick (some say Goddess Kali) much against the consternation of her ex-Congress colleagues, jolted out of their stupor when she resigned from a party she claims has lost its principles. "They took me for granted," she remarks.
I like fighters. I especially like when women fight back. And here I was early morning doing tea at her very busy residence at Marcela, sharing snippets of her political and family life. A tight rope she walks. Family is important, she advises. "Politics takes it away from you," she confesses. A life she looks back with regret. A life she claims gave her nothing, "Except more grey in the hair. But thank god for my family who stood by my decision. Politics is not for women, because they are taken for granted. Even I was taken for granted. Politics is a dirty game. Loyalty is considered a weakness. 10% of the today's politicians want to do nothing for society. The other 10% are bad elements. The 80% swing according to the
tide. These are the dangerous ones. They tell people of tomorrows, not of today. But people want NOW. If they are hungry today, they will not wait to be fed tomorrow. These 80% don't have sustaining power. They should be channelised in the right direction."
"As a young student, I wanted to contribute my might to cleaning up the system. I was moved by idealistic fire after my father, a freedom fighter, was killed when I was just nine years old. We went through serious tough times, but we were survivors. I remember telling my mentor, Purshotam Kakodkar as a student that the system was too dirty, I didn't want to be in
it. But he told me society needed people with clean hands. I don't think I've removed much dirt, its still there as it is. If not worse," she laments.
The strength of character to withstand pressure without cracking, and the ability to make a life irrespective of the odds maketh a woman. And indeed,
an achiever. There is a desperate need for strong women to hold their own.
Politically as well. Nirmala Sawant is perhaps setting a trend in this direction. The lady, I pleasantly discover, is also strongly focused on her campaign. "I don't endorse party hopping. It is against my principles.
That's the reason why I decided to stand as an independent. My decision to quit the Congress were also based on my principles. I was not going to work
for somebody who had tarnished politics by hopping from one party to party.
I was not going to work for a corrupt man. I was not going to endorse his wrongdoing just because he had got into the Congress. Just a symbol doesn't make you a Congressman? Especially when the same man had harassed Congress workers in the past. How could I close my eyes and work for a man with no integrity? It was a decision made by my conscience. I'm happy, yes, it was a bold decision. As an independent, my focus is to set a trend in politics against party hopping politicians. These politicians have no principles.
How can they ever serve the people when their interest is solely focused on themselves?"
"This is a fight for a cause. My victory will be a checkmate to this trend.
I've always believed that if I'm in politics, I must be useful," Nirmala asserts strongly.
More people flood her courtyard. Some narrating stories of money being distributed by her rival. Gossip machines running full steam, dishing out
last minute anti-propaganda to woo over her voters. Nirmala listens patiently. There is a sense of calm on her face, despite last-ditch allegations fired at her by her own colleagues, now on the defensive. All
gentlemen are rascals too.
So, what is the fate of Goa? How many times are we going to be dragged to the polls? Is this a no-hope situation for the youth of Goa? Nirmala is quick to the gun," The people of Goa are very selfish. They limit their vision only to themselves - wife, husband and children. They don't see beyond. When somebody has a problem they say "Hay Lacchand. Let's stay far
away from them." But when they have a problem, they want people to come and help them. People are completely self-centered. They think of their job and
nothing beyond. `How much money is the other person making? I also want to make that much.' When I was an MLA, they asked what did she do for me? She doesn't take money. She should take money and give it to us. There is a death of ideology, it has no place in today's world, because the youth are self-centered. Those who don't want to make money are not respected. Goans are egoists, they have false pride. It is because of this that politics is what it is in Goa," Nirmala minces no words.
It is this reality which calls for a revolution of thought. But is Goa listening? Will the people wake up on time and take possession of their ideals before we sell our soul to the devil? What of the principles of
democracy -- Equality, Liberty, Fraternity and Justice. Is any politician talking of these principles in their campaign? Are we thinking at all before we vote?
Nirmala's effort is commendable. But we need more women with firepower. We need more daughters with self-belief to take on the ropes of society building. May we have more tough girls.
------
This column was scheduled to appear in Herald dated 29th May 2005.
======
BY ETHEL DA COSTA
Time to tame Goa's political beasts
I like spunky women. I like women who hold out for a dream. I like women who run with the wolves. That's why I think Nirmala Sawant is one tough cookie.
It takes 39 years of steadfast loyalty to hold on to a dream. And one heart wrenching decision to break the chains on the feet and learn to swim in the ocean with the sharks. Nirmala Sawant, the much talked about Independent candidate fighting a mighty battle in Cumbharjua is one hell of a tough rookie. And for that she has my respects. Not many women that I know dare
to venture out when the odds are stacked against them. But not many women have the gumption of Nirmala Sawant, holding her own fort in a very male bastion. Especially, the unassuming ex Congress stalwart who has today donned the hat of a political maverick (some say Goddess Kali) much against the consternation of her ex-Congress colleagues, jolted out of their stupor when she resigned from a party she claims has lost its principles. "They took me for granted," she remarks.
I like fighters. I especially like when women fight back. And here I was early morning doing tea at her very busy residence at Marcela, sharing snippets of her political and family life. A tight rope she walks. Family is important, she advises. "Politics takes it away from you," she confesses. A life she looks back with regret. A life she claims gave her nothing, "Except more grey in the hair. But thank god for my family who stood by my decision. Politics is not for women, because they are taken for granted. Even I was taken for granted. Politics is a dirty game. Loyalty is considered a weakness. 10% of the today's politicians want to do nothing for society. The other 10% are bad elements. The 80% swing according to the
tide. These are the dangerous ones. They tell people of tomorrows, not of today. But people want NOW. If they are hungry today, they will not wait to be fed tomorrow. These 80% don't have sustaining power. They should be channelised in the right direction."
"As a young student, I wanted to contribute my might to cleaning up the system. I was moved by idealistic fire after my father, a freedom fighter, was killed when I was just nine years old. We went through serious tough times, but we were survivors. I remember telling my mentor, Purshotam Kakodkar as a student that the system was too dirty, I didn't want to be in
it. But he told me society needed people with clean hands. I don't think I've removed much dirt, its still there as it is. If not worse," she laments.
The strength of character to withstand pressure without cracking, and the ability to make a life irrespective of the odds maketh a woman. And indeed,
an achiever. There is a desperate need for strong women to hold their own.
Politically as well. Nirmala Sawant is perhaps setting a trend in this direction. The lady, I pleasantly discover, is also strongly focused on her campaign. "I don't endorse party hopping. It is against my principles.
That's the reason why I decided to stand as an independent. My decision to quit the Congress were also based on my principles. I was not going to work
for somebody who had tarnished politics by hopping from one party to party.
I was not going to work for a corrupt man. I was not going to endorse his wrongdoing just because he had got into the Congress. Just a symbol doesn't make you a Congressman? Especially when the same man had harassed Congress workers in the past. How could I close my eyes and work for a man with no integrity? It was a decision made by my conscience. I'm happy, yes, it was a bold decision. As an independent, my focus is to set a trend in politics against party hopping politicians. These politicians have no principles.
How can they ever serve the people when their interest is solely focused on themselves?"
"This is a fight for a cause. My victory will be a checkmate to this trend.
I've always believed that if I'm in politics, I must be useful," Nirmala asserts strongly.
More people flood her courtyard. Some narrating stories of money being distributed by her rival. Gossip machines running full steam, dishing out
last minute anti-propaganda to woo over her voters. Nirmala listens patiently. There is a sense of calm on her face, despite last-ditch allegations fired at her by her own colleagues, now on the defensive. All
gentlemen are rascals too.
So, what is the fate of Goa? How many times are we going to be dragged to the polls? Is this a no-hope situation for the youth of Goa? Nirmala is quick to the gun," The people of Goa are very selfish. They limit their vision only to themselves - wife, husband and children. They don't see beyond. When somebody has a problem they say "Hay Lacchand. Let's stay far
away from them." But when they have a problem, they want people to come and help them. People are completely self-centered. They think of their job and
nothing beyond. `How much money is the other person making? I also want to make that much.' When I was an MLA, they asked what did she do for me? She doesn't take money. She should take money and give it to us. There is a death of ideology, it has no place in today's world, because the youth are self-centered. Those who don't want to make money are not respected. Goans are egoists, they have false pride. It is because of this that politics is what it is in Goa," Nirmala minces no words.
It is this reality which calls for a revolution of thought. But is Goa listening? Will the people wake up on time and take possession of their ideals before we sell our soul to the devil? What of the principles of
democracy -- Equality, Liberty, Fraternity and Justice. Is any politician talking of these principles in their campaign? Are we thinking at all before we vote?
Nirmala's effort is commendable. But we need more women with firepower. We need more daughters with self-belief to take on the ropes of society building. May we have more tough girls.
------
This column was scheduled to appear in Herald dated 29th May 2005.
======
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Bit insipid! It will sound better if we name the topic of the seminar as 'Endangered species of honest people'!
|
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