Margaret was born in the city of Mangalore in South India. She had never thought of governing a state, or rather sitting as a member of the Parliament, or even writing a book. She was a simple woman and wanted just to continue living that life, of a housewife.

Margaret Alva tells JWB that had she not been a Politician, she’d probably never write an Autobiography, but if she did, it would be about the struggle of raising four kids.

The former Governor of Rajasthan, Margaret Alva, released her Autobiography titled “Courage and Commitment” at Hotel Hilton, Jaipur. The event was put together by Wecare, and Raghu Sinha Mala Mathur, as an initiative of Prabha Khaitan Foundation.

The book was released by Ms. Nupur Basu, Ms. Anuja Chauhan, Apra Kuchhal and Mr. Sudhir Mathur.

She was introduced by Apra Kuchhal before she sat in conversation with Ms. Nupur Basu, Senior Journalist, and I stared from a distance as an engaged child listening to a story. Yes, the two were fine storytellers.

Her relationship with Indira Gandhi

I was late for a meeting, and there was no hot water in my room. I needed to take a bath. I called out to an attendant and urgently said in a raised voice, “You need to hurry up and bring me water! HURRY UP!” There was suddenly a knock at my door, and there Indira ji stood holding half-a-bucket-full of water. 

Even during The Emergency, she didn’t shy away from listening to me. ‘The Emergency’ was strongly taken advantage of, and I never hesitated from telling Indira ji the truth. I’d tell her what was going wrong. 

She was prepared to listen to it all. There was a lot of misuse of power. A lot of people suffered, and the press had been gagged. 

The rumors about Rajiv Gandhi’s attraction towards her

Interestingly, upon being asked about the rumors involving Rajiv Gandhi’s liking for her, she immediately fired back, “What nonsense!”  Nupur had asked her whether Sonia Gandhi disliked her due to his attraction towards her. *giggles*

Her book is NOT about Congress

This is my life story. The story about how I walked bare feet in rain to what I am today. No, it isn’t a journey I had planned. It is a story about my life and events that overtook me simply because of circumstances. 

It took me six years to complete this book and put every chapter of my life into words.

Her life is a journey of achievements and betrayal

Let me narrate a story of an achievement to you.

I was asleep. I fall asleep whenever something significant happens in my life. I suddenly got a phone call at 11 in the night that I was nominated as a party candidate for the Rajya Sabha. I thought someone was playing a prank on me, and I retorted, “Who’s this? And, is it a time to play a prank on someone?”

The Mayor of Bangalore was on the other end of the phone call. He said that he was waiting for his seat, but I got it instead! I still didn’t believe him. It was only the next morning that the newspapers had my face staring back at me. I’d been denied the seat twice, and Indira ji had picked me up.

I was only thirty-one. And that’s the day my real career began.

Gender bias in Politics

During my first ever meeting, a minister said, “Ye mahila kya kya le aati hai! Yahaan aake kanoon bhi banaati hai. Phele thappad maarne pe rok tok laga di. Kabhi ye bandh, kabhi woh bandh, calenders pe pehele ladkiya to dekh sakte the, ab use indecent representation of women ghoshit kar diya. Humaari seats lena chahati hain, 33% reservation de diya inko.”

I had to respond back. I asked them how could they claim the seats! Was it the birthright of the men? 

Great answer, right?

Margaret read out bits from her book, and I couldn’t believe how effortlessly I could imagine every instance that she was talking about.

I’m not one to talk politics, but if it was written in a story form the way Margaret shows, I’d read it. You can buy Margaret Alva’s Autobiography “Courage and Commitment” here.

PS: Ms. Nupur Basu had to run back to New Delhi halfway through the conversation since her father was in the ICU. Let’s all pray for his recovery! *Lots of Magic Dust to him*