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Agatha Sangma on renewable sources of energy
Baby-faced politician Agatha Sangma wants to bring Meghalaya's issues to the national stage.
- By Nilima Pathak, Correspondent
- Published: 23:07 June 21, 2009
- Baby-faced politician Agatha Sangma wants to bring Meghalaya's issues to the national stage.
- Image Credit: Gulf News Archive
New Delhi: Agatha Sangma, at 28, is the youngest minister in the council of ministers of the United Progressive Alliance government.
Her father, former Lok Sabha speaker, Purno A. Sangma, who at one time loved reading novels by Agatha Christie, named his daughters Christie and Agatha.
Today, singled out as the most noticeable minister, Sangma says: "Because of the baby face that I have, I am getting a lot of media attention. But then in the coming years, I have to prove my worth".
A Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) candidate, she represents the Tura constituency of Meghalaya state. She is a keen environmentalist and intends on focusing on programmes related to sustainable economies and livelihood.
"When it comes to global warming and climate change, we need to think about renewable sources of energy. There is also the need to contemplate how our lifestyle can help in mitigating climate change. It is not a choice but a necessity today and it's high time we worked on it," she says.
Gulf News spoke to Sangma, Minister of State for Rural Development, on various issues and asked her about her plans.
GULF NEWS: How much of the Agatha Christie thrill and mystery is there in your life?
SANGMA: There is definitely a thrill but no mystery in my life. It is a fabulous journey I am on suddenly and there is an excitement to do so much. I am happy to be a part of the ministry, which has a lot of potential to bring about positive changes for the country.
At the age of 28, you are a lawyer-turned-environmentalist-turned politician. Can we say this is your calling?
I am glad I have a good combination in terms of my background and where I stand now. Law is a very integral part of being a legislator and as a parliamentarian one is responsible for ensuring that good laws come into the country.
Similarly, environment is very close to my heart. And whatever I take up professionally, environment issues would be incorporated in them.
How do you propose to deal with environmental issues in the rural development sector?
Rural development ministry holds immense possibilities of assimilating sustainable means. And how we continue to do that while improving the quality of life of the rural people is a big challenge.
We have to ensure that rural lifestyle is maintained as it is extremely eco-friendly. Many a time we confuse modernisation as better quality of life. But it does not necessarily mean that by living in rural areas, you cannot have good quality life.
The younger generation feels a lot about environmental issues because we will have to bear the brunt of it with scarcity of natural resources in the next 30 to 40 years.
I also believe that we need to undertake the waste management issue in India. Rural development in a way tackles waste management in rural areas, but the real problem now lies in the urban areas.
What issues and promises made to the electorate during the election campaign are being worked upon?
The first time I contested, it was the by-election. It was basically introducing myself and people gave me an opportunity to serve them.
I promised to raise my voice for the people in the Parliament and represent them at both national and international levels. And when my assistance would be required at the centre, I would always be around to voice their needs.
I am fortunate to have been able to keep my promises and participated in the debate in parliament and spoke on the Assam bomb blasts and other issues.
I also tried to get more projects from the centre for my state and hope to see that the schemes reach and benefit the people for whom these have been identified &I am trying to find ways to create awareness for Meghalaya on the national level.
What made you join politics so early in life? Is it because it is in the family?
I can say that it [politics being in the family] has been a major factor that helped me to enter the field. Though I was keen on joining politics, it was always considered for a later time in life. But unexpectedly, I was in a situation where I did not think much and accepted it when the party gave me the ticket to contest.
How do you intend silencing your critics who say that you won the seat because of your father's stature in politics?
I admit, it was a lot to do with being P.A. Sangma's daughter. It is a fact I do not deny. But the challenges that are before me now, I do not think I shall survive here with just a name. I need to prove myself.
Life gives you several opportunities, but you have to deliver. I will not say anything to those who criticise me and would rather take it in a positive way and as constructive criticism.
I take it as a challenge that in the coming five years, I will be able to create something of my own and that work will reflect my capacity.
On what aspects of politics do you differ from your father?
Our perceptions, beliefs and opinions are almost on the same level. There are no major differences, but as people belonging to different generations, there can be some disparity, which is fair enough. But I cannot remember any aspect where we have been at two different ends.
What are your views on the 33 per cent reservation for women in Parliament?
I come from a matrilineal society where women are more respected than in many other parts of the country. We are considered the head of the family, have property rights, feel empowered and the children take after the name of the mother.
I am fortunate that I did not have to use any reservation or quota to be where I am. So, personally, I would not like to take any privileges. But I will not say that the same is prevalent for women in the rest of the country.
Women need to be more politically represented. Therefore, I am for the Bill and want it to be passed into a law. There are technicalities involved in the Bill and how practically it will work out, will be seen. But we need to start somewhere.
Fast factsAgatha Sangma was born on July 24, 1980, in West Garo Hills, Meghalaya to Purno A Sangma and Soradini K Sangma.
Her brothers James and Conrad are members of the Legislative Assembly in Meghalaya.
She was educated at the Jesus and Mary School, New Delhi 1999. She has a Master's degree in Environmental Management.
She studied at the Indian Law Society, Pune 2004. She also studied at Nottingham University 2007.
She worked with Fox Mandal Little, a corporate law firm in Noida, Uttar Pradesh, as junior associate in the litigation team in the Lower and High Courts - 2007-08.
She also worked with M.C. Mehta, an environmentalist, responsible for the maximum number of litigations in the country pertaining to River Ganges pollution.
An amateur photographer, she is also fond of cooking.
Your comments
it is good to hear that she is keen on environment but dont become like convetional politicians
Mohammad Sharif Ali
Riyadh,Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Posted: June 22, 2009, 15:39
Dear Sir,
If she is saying with honesty it is very very good idea. Even from waste can make the energy as you know. I am a Keralite through like "Kudumbasree" units it can be make profitable also.
Haridas
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 22, 2009, 15:34
Congratulations!....Agatha Sangma, We are really proud of You. I am very much impressed by your courages steps as a very young minister who is really ready to face challenges for woman's rights. I wish you best of luck and God Bless You in all that u do.
Rani Suchiang
Mumbai,India
Posted: June 22, 2009, 11:26
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