Kandhamal is Odisha’s most backward district. The region is tribal dominated and has been in the news for all the wrong reasons including Maoism and attacks on Dalits and Adivasis. Kandhamal’s MP Pratyusha Rajeshwari Singh belongs to the erstwhile Nepal royal family and was elected to the Lok Sabha last year following the death of her husband.
In an exclusive interview to Senior Editor Sharad Gupta, she underscored women’s empowerment, the uplift of tribals and communal harmony as her priority areas. Excerpts from their conversation.
You husband was elected to the Lok Sabha and almost without warning, you had to fight an election. When your husband was MP and was active in politics, did you ever go on political campaigns with him?
Prior to the Lok Sabha election my husband contested from Nayagarh Assembly. Since then I have been going on political tours and have met lots of people. I have visited most parts of the region. Certainly, a lot of things happen when we meet people, which can never be realized sitting at home. My husband had many dreams for developing Kandhamal. I am trying to walk in his footsteps and realize his dreams gradually.
The prime minister has initiated various schemes including ujwalta Yojna (free LPG cylinder), free LED lights. What is the response of the people?
Central government projects sanctioned No, there was some misunderstanding about religious conversion. Now everything is fine. We go to church and everybody gathers to celebrate Christmas.
Share with us something about your childhood?
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة September 2016 من Parliamentarian.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة September 2016 من Parliamentarian.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
punjab waiting for aap
aap appears to be on a roll in punjab despite allegations of sexual misconduct against its cadres, splits and public spats. the akalis are fighting back by every means, fair and foul.missing here is the congress.
The Eye Of The Vedas
A Brief and esoteric introduction...
What 2017 Holds For The Prime Minister Modi!
What 2017 holds for the 14th Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi.
Re-engaging Rahul
An astrological analysis of the Gandhi scion and vice-President of the Indian National Congress, Rahul Gandhi.
Bribe Taking & Uncle J
If practices of Uncle Judges were not enough to tarnish the image of judicary in India, allegations of corruption and bribe taking have further marred that image, specially of higher judiciary.
Waiting for Amma
It would seem that even while on a ventilator, Jayalalithaa can give directions to her confidants. Or were the directions to celebrate the party’s founder’s day given in advance? The secrecy around the chief minister’s illness underscores Jayalalithaa’s grip, despite serious illness. Bhavani Kuchi reports from Chennai.
How Hillary Won First Twitter Election
In the polls four years ago, social media was just one of the campaign tools, but not this time.
Yeddyurappa Encounters Of The Family Kind
The First Ever BJP Chief Minister in any State Below the Vindhyas is Being Surrounded by his Own Party Detractors and is Paying for his Costly Mistakes.
BJP Loving Dalits Is Hard
The bjp’s new found love for dalits is suspect. It seems geared entirely towards courting their substantial vote in the battleground states of up and Punjab.
An Alternative Swaraj
AAP is determined to expand its political base by fighting the Punjab assembly elections. But it faces a challenge in the form of Prashant Bhushan and YogendraYadav, who have hinted at plans to form a new party to take on AAP.