PERNEM/CANACONA
What do the northern-most and southern-most municipal councils in the State have in common?
Both municipal councils are headed by first-time women councillors, who are still in their mid-twenties, and both had their parents, who served as chairpersons of their respective councils.
While Samita Dhuri (26) was elected chairperson of Canacona Municipal Council on February 15, Shraddha Mashelkar (25) was elected chairperson of Pernem Municipal Council on Friday.
SHRADDHA MASHELKAR (25)
Shraddha Mashelkar followed in the footsteps of her mother, late Resha Mashelkar, who had served as PMC chairperson, and was on Friday elected the youngest chairperson of PMC at the age of 25 years.
“As a young chairperson, I have a lot of expectations from the youth in Pernem town. Youth strive for government jobs, but it’s impossible for everyone to get these. I appeal to youth to become self-dependent and start their own business, thereby providing employment opportunities to others,” Shraddha told The Goan.
Asked how she decided to enter public office at a young age, Shraddha replied: “My mother, late Resha Mashelkar, was elected PMC Chairperson for one term and my sister-in-law Amita Mashelkar had also served as deputy chairperson.”
“My mother had a vision to develop Pernem municipality, but it was left incomplete. In order to complete her vision, my father, Suresh, made me contest the PMC elections and I got elected.”
“My first preference will be to complete ongoing work at the Resha Mashelkar garden, which is named after my mother,” said Shraddha.
To a query on whether she faced any challenges interacting with fellow councillors, who are senior to her, and other council staff, Mashelkar said: “Being a young chairperson, I will make efforts to seek cooperation from senior councillors.”
“I have the will to work and to get cooperation from my seniors. As 90% of councillors at PMC are elected for the first time, I believe that they will cooperate with me,” she added.
Commenting on her priorities, Shraddha said she would strive to complete pending projects like administrative building, town hall and the multipurpose complex-cum-vegetable market.
SAMITA DHURI (26)
For Samita Dhuri, seeing her father and former Canacona Municipal Council chairman Ratnakar Dhuri serve in the council for two decades, prompted her to contest CMC elections and eventually become its chairperson at the age of 26 years on February 15.
“For 20 years, I have seen my dad serve as councillor and take up various social works. Because of him, I took a liking to politics and took keen interest in social works.”
“I used to help people from my locality from a very early age by providing information about different government schemes and help them fill forms, bringing awareness about programmes and schemes,” said Samita.
“But my entry into politics came unexpected as my dad wanted to continue his public and political work, but his ward was reserved for women. I accepted my dad’s wishes, contested the election and got elected.”
Samita admitted she never imagined of becoming a chairperson while still in her 20s. “I never imagined this could happen, but I strongly believe if you believe in your capabilities, you can do any job when opportunity knocks at your door. I was also lucky as the CMC chairperson’s post was reserved for women.”
Asked if she faces any difficulties in interacting with fellow councillors, some of whom are senior to her, Samita said: “Yes, I’m very young and also the least experienced councillor to handle this post.”
“I tend to face difficulties in some matters, but all the senior councillors and staff are supportive and they come forward to explain various matters to me.”
“Since I took over, another difficulty I face in my work as chairperson is I get confused whether to direct or request my staff, as they are all experienced and senior to me,” said Samita with a smile.
