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Vasundhara Raje Scindia with (left) Madhu Neotia at the programme. Picture by Anindya Shankar Ray
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The first woman chief minister of Rajasthan, Vasundhara Raje Scindia, regaled a roomful of city women with anecdotes from her journey to carve a niche for herself in a “very male-oriented society”.
Speaking at a gathering organised by FICCI FLO at Taj Bengal on Friday evening, the daughter of Vijayaraje and Jivaji Rao Scindia, the maharaja of Gwalior, said: “People usually have a wrong notion that those born in a royal family live in stratosphere, disconnected from people at large. I’m very proud to be a part of such a family because from a very young age I was taught to believe that the world is one big family… and we must love each other like brother and sister. When I became a chief minister (in 2003) and faced the cheering crowd I realised that I would have to take the best of this legacy and add to that. And I told myself that if I manage to walk away with that same love and affection I’d know that I have been able to forge a relationship that could withstand the test of time.”
The BJP leader recalled her orientation in the world of politics from a young age. “Mothers are supposed to be around when holidays start. My mother was touring for 26 days out of 30, it was disturbing and I would often be touring with her in districts. I complained to her bitterly and she made me understand how privileged we are. That not everyone’s life is as luxurious as ours and we must dedicate ourselves to this family.”
The former chief minister said an added incentive for her to visit Calcutta was the opportunity to interact with the Rajasthani diaspora.
She was generous in her assessment of Bengal’s first woman chief minister. “I keep hearing things about Ms (Mamata) Banerjee but when I look at her commitment I see that is what women give no matter what field they’re in. And that is what one needs to tap into. I cannot comment on the state because I don’t live here and it wouldn’t be fair. I know her as a person and she has worked very hard. I think we need to admire that commitment, which has been pretty much single-mindedly Bengal,” said Vasundhara Raje, now the president of Rajasthan BJP.
She pointed out how women across the world were assuming positions of power. “I don’t think we fail easily. Women are a great strength. We’re good for the family and good for the state,” she asserted.
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