A tough, determined, brilliant conversationalist and armed with the weapon of service is Mrs. MANGALA KADAM, mayoress of Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation. SUNETRA CHAPHALKAR meets up with this successful politician who has carved her path and defined her own success.
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Mrs.Mangala Kadam interacts with LF-Sunetra |
Mrs. Mangala Kadam completed her schooling in Pune from Renukaswarup Bhave School. She was an excellent Kabaddi player in school. Sports nurtured her leadership skills, firmness and helped her immensely in politics. She got married to Mr Ashok Kadam at the age of 16 and came into a family of renowned politicians. With the constant support from her family, she entered the family business of construction. She proudly states,”I was the only woman in this field of construction, transport business and especially truck transport which was hitherto never handled by women. I started by own sand business and supplied sand to other construction companies. This business got me in contact with different people that helped me understand people management”.
Simultaneously, with constant egging from her family, especially children, she entered politics in the year 1992 which was the first time when reservation for women was declared. “Entering into politics was never on my agenda,” she smiles. She was elected as a corporator for Chinchwad. As she had a political backing after marriage and an urge to serve the society, people accepted her very soon. |
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Politics as a career |
The mayoress believes that Politics cannot be a 'career'. It is a hobby where a person wants to serve society. It is a social responsibility of giving back something and serve the weaker sections. “I believe you should first be financially settled so that you can think of others' future. You should be firm to get into politics as you are dealing with hundreds of different people who will try to discourage you from your objective. Qualified women should avail of the opportunity of women's reservation and enter into politics, as women, I think, can manage the society very well if they are determined. They should have a proper hold on situations so as to get the work done.” |
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A Woman as a Boss |
”I have somehow faced no problems on this front and have been easily accepted. It all depends upon how you portray yourself. I don't expect to be treated differently just because I am a woman. If you carry yourself as a 'human being' and are working towards the common objective of serving society, I don't think people will treat you differently.” |
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| Her Contributions |
| Our leading lady has worked hard for the emancipation of women. |
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| She has encouraged widow schemes and other PCMS corporation courses for women like driving, stitching, beauty courses, cooking, and interior decoration so that women's financial dependence on others is done away with. She was felicitated with the “Mahila Shiromani” award at the hands of Mrs. Vimala Sharma (wife of the ex-president of India, Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma). This is a social work award, which was given for the work done for women. She admits that this award inspires us to take on more responsibility for the society. She has also worked as a president of the women's unit of the National Congress party (NCP), PCMC wherein she strived for women's welfare. Being the first woman president of NCP, she had a great deal of pressure and responsibilities. Elected as a corporator for the second term from ward 2 as a NCP candidate in 2002, was a boost. “My children have supported me in growing up and facing the challenges.“ |
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Mayor of PCMC |
| She was elected to the prestigious post of 'Mayor of PCMC” on 18th Feb 2005. As Mayor of Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation she initiated the development of the MIDC area, employment opportunities, business loans etc. Presently, she is also the Chairperson of the All Maharashtra Mayor Council. |
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| On her Agenda |
| The first citizen wants PCMC to become developed to such an extent that the citizens living there will find everything in this place itself, for which presently, they have to travel all the way to Pune city. She explains,”PCMC, MIDC has many industries. I aim to make provisions for employment, develop good colleges and Institutes, shopping malls, a cricket stadium, excellent infrastructure, entertainment centers, science and industrial exhibitions. I want to bring about these remarkable changes in PCMC in my tenure and see this happening very soon.” She is also working on uniting housewives and giving them business loans so that they can prepare and sell household articles. ”I look forward to creating a market for them where they can sell their products.” |
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| As a person |
| She is a person who likes to talk to people, understand their problems and work out solutions. Despite her exhausting schedule she makes it a point to have meals with the family. Also exercise is her priority as is traveling and her love for nature. An admirer of our Lila ma'am, she says, “I thank her for the great work she is doing for girls. At this age also she has kept herself so fit and enthusiastic and it is something that all of us should learn” (We sure agree with you on this, ma'am!) |
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| Advice to Lila fellows |
“Each woman should strongly support at least one woman to empower her and help her to move ahead. To do this, higher education is a must. There should be a sense of responsibility to return to society what it has given us. Give proper guidance to those who need it. Take efforts to become true Lila fellows. I wish you all the very best in the future.”
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- SUNETRA CHAPHALKAR
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