Mangaluru: Former Governor and Congress working committee member Margret Alva released her autobiography titled “Courage and Commitment” in the precincts of St. Agnes college in a simple ceremony jointly organised by Catholic association of South Kanara (CASK) and Agnes Alumni Association on Saturday March 11.
The 850 page book penned over a period of 3 years throws light on her life’s journey, family and political life, battles won and lost, not leaving behind her English, oratory skills which catapulted her to corridors of power in Delhi, fluency in Hindi through which she could win the confidence of people in the North and the prominent Bindi which made her the BJP bahu!
Talking of her book and her 30 year political life , Margret Alva , former Governor of Rajastan, Uttarakhand, Gujarath and Goa mentioned successes and failures, her struggle for women in terms of rights, marriage laws, representation in public life.
Born in Mangalore and an alumnus of St Agnes College, Margret mentioned her family’s involvement in politics greatly helped her but to survive one needs and courage and commitment, referring to Lal Bhadur Shastri’s sons and few others who could not last long, coming from similar background. Margret Alva acknowledged the influence of business and industry in terms of money and muscle power in today’s politics. When one stands by strong beliefs, debacles loom over, relating to her expulsion from Congress for three years during 70’s.
Autobiography places on record the battles won and lost, her association and working with successive Congress PM’s over the years, differences with Sanjay Gandhi during emergency, rescuing Lawrence Fernandes from prison during emergency, dilemma in terms of “Whom to please and how” when PVN Rao was PM and Madam Sonia became Congress President find mention in the autobiography which she said, is not a political thesis.
The memorable encounter with former Cuban President Fidel Castro and the dance with the Portugal President, which became ‘breaking news’ are the lighter moments in the autobiography.
The first chapter is dedicated to her early childhood, schooling and later about finding the man in her life (husband), family decisions which worked for good, rock solid support from her husband, yearly family get together sessions and family outings are part of the book.
After days and night I woke up….opened my windows…..I felt like a queen removed from reality” are the words she mentioned in the beginning while talking of her autobiography which she started writing, when she was in Nainital in the foothills of Himalayas as Uttarakhand Governor, emphasising on the need to record events when one comes to the end of the journey.
Margret Alva made a mention of the institutions she studied St. school and later Mount Carmel College and expressed happiness over getting back to the home town and the school once she studied to dedicate her autobiography.
An interactive session was part of evening autobiography release session moderated by Norbert Shenoy and the select panel included Captain Ramprasad, Urmila Shetty , John Monteiro, G. Fernandes.
Prayer Him My heart sings your glory filled the air in the beginning. President of Ritchy Rodrigues welcomed the gathering. Sr. Jeswina, Principal of Agnes College highlighted the achievements and awards received by Margret Alva. Usha Fenandes form Agnes Alumnae and Mario Saldanha from CASK were present on the occasion.
With Past behind, present staring and future unknown, Margret Alva, the only woman from Coastal Karnataka who went to become a state Governor has no plans to retire from politics.
