Rabi Martins has been a 9-time councillor of Watford Council
LONDON
Having been inspired by Goa’s Liberation and the independence movement in Tanzania, a Goan has had the rare distinction of serving as councillor for nine terms and as mayor for two terms at the Watford Council in the UK.
FROM GOA TO UK
Born in Varca-Salcete, Rabi Martins schooled in Pune and Dodoma (Tanzania), following which he completed his university in Dublin and moved to work in the UK.
He worked within the computer industry for ICL where he rose to the position of Divisional Information Systems Manager. He spent his final working years as a business management consultant.
Rabi was married to Teresa who sadly died in 2013 at the relatively young age of 64. All three of his three children have carved successful careers. The eldest Aaron is a financier, the second Steven is technological innovator and his daughter Natasha is a senior marketing consultant in retail.
COUNCIL POLITICS
Rabi's initial passion for politics was triggered by the events that had led to the liberation of Goa from the Portuguese and later reinforced by the independence movement led by Julius Nyerere, the first president of Tanzania.
“When I moved to the UK in 1969, I was inspired to campaign against racial discrimination. This eventually led me to run for election as a Councillor of Watford Council and in 1994, I became the first Goan to be elected as a Liberal Democrats Councillor,” said Rabi.
Rabi held high office within the party, including as national advisor to the Party President on Race and Diversity. He also initiated the Liberal Democrats Dadabhai Naoroji Award for advancing Black and Asian representation within Lib Dem local parties.
Such has been Rabi’s popularity in the Watford Council that he won his seat on 9 consecutive occasions. Rabi also has the rare distinction of having served as Chairman (Civic Mayor) of Watford Council on two separate occasions, 2006-7 and 2018-19.
In his first term as Civic Mayor, Rabi introduced the Youth Awards for Youth Activities in appreciation of his support for youth activities. He was also appointed Vice President of his local Scouts District.
In his second term as Civic Mayor, Rabi chose to champion the cause of Mental Health and Well Being, while also helping establish a Primary School in the town centre with a rooftop playground – the first of its kind in the town.
GOAN IDENTITY
Rabi also played a prominent role in the Goan Association UK for several years taking on key roles including Secretary, President and Chairman.
“Alongside supporting the Goan Community, I was a political activist who campaigned for inclusion and racial equality,” said Rabi.
When asked, Rabi was confident that Goans can succeed in politics in the UK.
"Absolutely. There is ample evidence that all political parties recognise that there is political collateral in putting up Asians to run for local and national elections in the UK. And indeed. there are Goan who serve as councillors and even Members of Parliament,” said Rabi.
To a query on what he values most about being a Goan Councillor, Rabi replied: “It is fact that I can be an ambassador for Goa and Goan culture whist at the same time being of service the general public in my adopted home. It’s a win-win for me.”
