Sarojini Mahishi, former Union Minister, passed away in New Delhi on Sunday

The name of Sarojini Mahishi, former Union Minister who passed away in Delhi on Sunday, is referred to every time the question of representation to locals in jobs comes up.

The much-quoted report submitted by a committee headed by her in 1986, which recommended job reservation to locals, however, has remained on paper.

Though she is remembered mostly in the context of her unimplemented report, Ms. Mahishi was a force to reckon with in politics in her heyday. She was elected to the third Lok Sabha in 1962, making her the first woman from Karnataka to achieve this distinction. Ms. Mahishi had bagged 71.68 per cent of polled votes from Dharwad North on Congress ticket. She was one of three women from across the country to have bagged more than 70 per cent votes that year.

When this correspondent had contacted the octogenarian ahead of the 2014 elections, she had said with pride, “I did not lobby for a ticket. I spent less than Rs. 10,000 for the election then.”

A lawyer and writer, it was her interest in social service that had drawn her into politics. Ms. Mahishi won the next three elections and served as Minister in the Cabinet of the late Indira Gandhi.

She translated Indira Gandhi’s speeches from Hindi to Kannada during her campaigns in Karnataka. Ms. Mahishi was a votary for more representation for women in politics. “Not just 33 per cent, women should have 50 per cent presence in the Lok Sabha and the State Assemblies,” she had told The Hindu .

Women’s role

She believed that women can play a role in “cleansing politics” and had said she “wouldn’t mind” contesting elections again for the cause, if given a ticket.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National> Andhra Pradesh / by Bageshree S. / Bengaluru – January 26th, 2015

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WHEN SAROJINI MAHISHI MET MYSORE MAHARAJA…

Sir,

Karnataka has lost a distinguished Kannadati, an early woman Parliamentarian, a multi-lingual literary figure and a protector of Kannadigas’ job quota, in the death of Sarojini Mahishi. While I was serving in Mysore, I had to fix a meeting of her with Maharaja Jayachamaraja Wadiyar and his Huzur Secretary M. Narayanaswamy had arranged for it at the Summer Palace. She had come with her advocate-sister Hemalata Mahishi.

When we reached the Palace, there was already Prof. S.K. Ramachandra Rao and another Philosophy Professor waiting for an evening discussion with the Maharaja on his request. We were first taken inside by Narayanaswamy who introduced us.

I still remember the very delicious Mysore masala dosa and coffee served to us and then a very scholarly discussion began when Sarojini’s sister and myself came out. But before leaving, I could make out their deep knowledge of the subjects they started discussing.

When we were waiting outside, Maharaja’s close aid Dharanipal was very eager to show Hemalata Mahishi around the Summer Palace describing how the Maharaja spends his daily schedule there for his physical training in the gym there and later held discussions with the scholars. But Hemalata was more eager to spend time with the waiting Professors whose eminence she knew.

Later, when Sarojini Mahishi came out, Narayanaswamy told me aside what a scholarly discussion they had and the Maharaja was greatly impressed with the high scholarship of Mahishi. While returning I heard her describing to her sister how rich and valuable their hour-long discussion was. She was also repeatedly praising the Maharaja’s deep knowledge of all the topics they discussed.

—K.Vijaya Kumar

V.V.Mohalla

29.1.2015

ource: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Voice of the Reader / Friday – January 30th, 2015