Interview with Women and Social Welfare Minister Mrs. Pushpa Leela

Starting as a small ripple she has become a big wave of inspiration for many a woman. She hails from Telangana region in Andhra Pradesh. She has a strong fervour for social welfare ever since she was a child. She has achieved her goals with untiring endeavour in this male dominated field. Today she stands apart as a confident and self-sustained lady. It has been a constant struggle for her to survive in the field of politics, which is generally dominated by men. She has come to power using the reservation provided for women. She is unaware of any routine political gimmicks and strategies. All that she knows is about her love for the welfare of people.

She was born in a scheduled caste family in 1963 in Hyderabad. She is the second daughter in a family of eight children. Her father was a businessman. She got married to Kondru Ramdas in 1981 when she was in her tenth class. In his family, Ramdas was first man to be educated and he is a very progressive man and his progressive outlook has been a big boon to her. He encouraged her to be educated. After having two children (daughters) she did her B. A. degree from B. R. Ambedkar University during 1985-89. Later, she got her M. A. degree from Osmania University from 1992. In 1994 she got her M. Phil, which is an appreciable achievement. She gained popularity as a motivator for C. M. E. Y. group of DWAKRA and as a state conveyer for women's rights. Later she started her own project for the welfare of rural people under the name of SWEAR - Society Welfare Education and Advancement of Rural Environment. During 1992-99 she worked as a counsellor for B. R. Ambedkar University. Before that during 1998 and 99 she worked as a lecturer in Bhagya Nagar Junior college. Later she got attracted towards the various schemes introduced by the State government like 'Prjalavaddaku Palana', 'Janma Bhoomi' and 'Deepam' etc. During the time of 'Prajala Vaddaku Palana' she took TDP party ticket. In 1999 she contested from Ibrahim Patnam and defeated the fifteen-year regime of communist party there. She is the one to emerge as a minister from that place after 39 years.

Her main objective is to strive for the better of the weak and the women. The lady of these rare virtues spend few minutes with HamaraShehar:

Q. What are the changes you brought after taking charge as a minister in this field?
A. My aim is to bring many changes in the field. There is an allegation that there are bogus students residing in hostels. To eliminate such things I have introduced Photo Identity system for the students.

Q. What is the possible effect of that?
A. There are a lot of benefits with that; the identity card bears the signature of the student as well as the father's. In addition, there is a group photo of the students with the hostel warden that is kept in the hostel itself. Apart from this we are going to introduce health cards to students who are economically backward. These programmes will be introduced not through Government but through private organisations like Lion's Club etc. This is only to encourage good health among the poor.

Q. There is a complaint that the wardens are not taking proper care about the education of the students?
A. The responsibility of the warden is going to be doubled now. We are going to arrange tutions to the students in the hostels. A special coaching will be arranged for those students who take the admission test for Gurukul schools. Hereafter the warden will be called as Administrative Officer. The birthdays of the students will be celebrated in hostels by wishing them at the time of prayers in the morning.

Q. Do you think that the developmental plans hinder the progress of welfare projects?
A. No, never. It is only a false allegation that these programmes are disturbed by government projects. We are planning many more new schemes, which will be definitely successful.

Q. What are your developmental plans as a minister for Ranga Reddy district?
A. This Ranga Reddy district is almost merged with the city but it slightly lags behind in development. Our constituency, Ibrahim Patnam, is about 30 km from Ranga Reddy. There are no water projects or canals. Drought prone area and fluoride water is prominent. A by-pass road project of four crores has been approved. We have plans to set up a woman's college.

Q. Welfare organisations are often synonymous for corruption, what is your comment?
A. It is true that to some extent there is corruption in the field and I am trying to curb this mall practices with my sudden inspections. If any body is caught red-handed while doing mischief they won't be left unpunished.

Q. To what extent does the government extends its co-operation to your field?
A. There is a good co-operation from the officials. Every one is fine.

Q. How do you react to the comment you were the reason for the transfer of the district collector?
A. In fact there is no interference of mine in the transfer. It was just a coincidence. It is true that we had misunderstandings but I am not at all responsible for her transfer.

Q. As a representative of the backward class do you show any special interest in the future of the children belonging to that class?
A. We are trying to provide good food for the children of B. C. Hostels. As it is some funds are allotted for the same but due to corrupt people the funds are not being utilised properly. We want to take proper action for this. It is my idea to provide good food and good education for those students.

Q. Has the economic standard of the artisans improved with the tools provided to them?
A. Not much, it just same as it was.

Q. Will you still continue these schemes?
A. Due to lack of literacy they show interest in these schemes only, but if they opt for education they would get loans easily and can avail more benefits offered by the government.

Q. What is your experience in the field of politics?
A. Nil. I am basically a social worker. I was the secretary for SWEAR in Rajendra Nagar. I was attracted towards the various projects introduced by Chandra Babu Naidu and applied for the ticket in his party. It was my sheer luck that made me a minister now

Q. How is your seniors' relation with you for giving such an important portfolio?
A. It is a fact that they felt hurt a little for giving me this portfolio, but their co-operation is always for me.

Q. Heard that you are an artist also?
A. Yes, it is true. I like music very much I gave many programmes in AIR. I gave my voice for dubbing for the Telugu version of Tippu Sulthan. I have a handful of fans for my radio programmes.

Q. What are your future ambitions?
A. I want to set up as many educational institutes as possible for girls and increase literacy among the people of distant rural areas, especially for the girls.

Q. Your message for the present women?
A. Women should utilise the reservation provided for them. Telangana women should come out of their traditional background. When women conquer the fields of social, economic and political fields then there will be progress. They should develop individuality and confidence and stand as examples for future generations.

-- Sujata Rao