Shashikala Kakodkar, who was a prominent personality amongst the political circle based in Goa and the first lady Chief Minister of Goa, passed away today. Proven to be a good administrator, India’s third Lady CM Shashikala’s tenure saw landmark legislations such as TCP, Goa Board, Anti-cow slaughter, Anti-gambling Mundkar Act proposal for Goa university , Archaeology Act etc . Women can enter politics and lead the administration of a state, has been proved by many in recent times. Shashikala Kakodkar was one among them. Her contribution to the Goan politics is endless. Read the complete report here.
[su_expand more_text=”READ MORE” less_text=” ” height=”0″ hide_less=”yes” link_style=”button” link_align=”center”]She was a daughter of Goa’s first chief minister Dayanand Bandodkar (Bhausaheb), who ascended to power after the December 1963 elections, following a hotly contested election which saw the polarization of the electorate on caste and religious lines. Following her father’s death in 1973, while still in office, Mrs. Kakodkar became the chief minister of Goa and continued in power till being ousted by a split within her party in early 1979.
Shashikala Kakodkar was born on 7th January 1935 at Pernem. Kranti Rao Jyoti Bandekar and Siddharth Bandodkar are her younger Siblings. She completed her elementary education from Mustifund School. She completed her Matriculation from Peoples High School, Panjim. At the age of 11, she participated in the Goa’s Struggle for freedom. She was shouting slogans “Jai Hind” and was beaten up by the Portuguese Police Officer for this act. She fearlessly participated in the struggle for freedom at a very tender age. From 1954 to 1958 she was at Fatima College Dharwad where she studied anthropology, Sociology, and History, and was awarded Bachelors of Arts. She completed her Masters in Arts from Elphinstone College Mumbai.
The year 1963 is a double joyous occasion for Shashikala; because of the first ever democratic elections took place in Goa after the 450 years of Colonial domination and her father Mr. Dayanand Bandodkar became the first Chief Minister of Goa Daman and Diu Union territory. Secondly, she got married to Gurudatt Kakodkar. In 1968 she was made General Manager of Bandodkar group of Companies. She was the member of Youth Red cross Society, All India Woman Conference, and Central Social Welfare Board.
She was influenced a lot by her father Late Dayanand Bandodkar who always inspired her to do good things for the society. She is a very spiritual lady and often visits Shankaracharya Math at Shringeri. Her fearless attitude and her inborn leadership style helped her to enter into Politics. Her sympathy towards the downtrodden and the oppressed section motivated her to enter into social and charitable Work.
Role in Politics
Shashikala Kakodkar participated in the Goa’s struggle for freedom served as the Chief Minister of Goa, Daman an Diu for six years. She was the general manager and managing director of Bandodkar Group of Companies and leader of BahujanSamaj. She has tried her level best to uplift the masses. she even established educational institutions. Her role as an education minister of Goa state is also remarkable. Her love towards the mother language is seen right from her entry into politics. When she came on the roads to fight against the government decision on Medium of Instruction, Shashikala Kakodkar, though criticized by many on several occasions has contributed a lot to the Goan society and Goa’s politics.
Kakodkar followed a different style of functioning which resulted in her downfall. She was educated and had a better capacity to understand and control the administration of the union territory, but she lacked mass contact with the people like her father. She was proud of herself.
The article is written by Rebecca Pinto, content writer of Incredible Goa
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