Sunanda Satpathy is not only a dreamer but also a social worker and a political activist by choice. She had her post-graduation from the Utkal University. Ever since she became a social activist in 1995, she has worked and explored in diverse fields of the society. Being inspired by legendary Biju Patnaik, she joined politics and is presently holding the post of State secretary of the Biju Janata Dal’s women wing. Despite all hurdles on her way, she has never looked back. Her life is a suitable blend of public service and politics. In an interview to The Pioneer while distributing awareness leaflets to pilgrims on the eve of the Puri Nabakalebar Rath Yatra at the Bhubaneswar railway station, she spoke to Sugyan Choudhury.
Please narrate your achievements as a social activist.
I am in social work for the last twenty years having a longstanding experience in the field which I really enjoy. Our activities specifically focus on income generation programmes like mushroom cultivation, nursery and management of household waste. In addition, we institute legal aid centres and recreation centres for senior citizens, arrange health camps and consumer awareness programmes, etc., from time to time. Besides, we have instituted Janadeva Award from 2012 for felicitating two eminent persons for their outstanding contributions in their respective fields of human endeavour.
How do you relate social works in politicsIJ
Politics is nothing but social work, for which politicians are constitutionally designated as the public servants. Politicians are simply official social workers recognised by the Government and the public both. A true social worker is very much loyal to his /her activities both in aptitude and attitude. So also it happens in case of the politicians. But nowadays, it is found that our so-called politicians are social workers in attitude, not in aptitude. That speaks contrary to the polities in true sense of the term.
Can you compare a political leader with a social activistIJ Do they equally hold key positions for the welfare of the societyIJ
Social workers and political leaders are both the sides of a coin. But it differs very often. Political leaders are legislatively empowered to look after development of the general public and hold key positions. So also it happens in the case of social activists who are voluntarily dedicated to their work for the greater cause of the society and hold equal position. But the present political system is badly different where some politicians are only so-called social workers. On the other hand, most of the social activists engage themselves for their fellow human beings in a true sense although a few exceptions are there in social activists alike politicians.
Do you face critical situations in handling your social worksIJ
Not at all! I have told earlier that there is no difference between social workers and politicians in true sense of the term. Both aim at the same. One is official; another is non-official. One is mandatory in occupation whereas the other is voluntary in nature. Although I am not politically so empowered to take developmental decisions for the greater interest of the society still I do think there will be no problems, no crisis in handling both.
What’s your focus area and why do you chose the sameIJ
Being a woman, my focus area is “financial upliftment and maximum participation of women in decentralised governance”. Women empowerment is not new in nature. It has a very greater concept starting from the mythological era to the current time. Still, it is not properly recognised as our society is predominantly masculine in nature, even though having the greater sacrifice of womenfolk in each and every sphere of life. It is true that women are suffering due to lack of knowledge about rules framed by the Government for them and financial unsoundness. Another focus area is “to make governance at grassroots level accountable” as less accountability yields room for maximum corruption and crimes.
Why did you opt for a political career being a social activistIJ
In true sense, politics is nothing but social work. But sometimes, social activists are not able to provide adequate services to the beneficiaries at the time of need due to lack of necessary mandatory power whereas a political leader does it without any hurdle. On the other hand, a politician having legislative power can bring every project of the Government to the doorstep of the beneficiary if he so desires whereas a social activist can’t accomplish it in an easy manner, however dedicated he may be to his work. Hence, political powers and resources matter a great deal. That’s why I opted to be there in politics as well as in public life.
It is said social activists are not properly recognised by the Government. Are they not entitled for the sameIJ
That social activists are not properly recognised by the Government is not always true. Gone are the days when the Government ignored or wrestled out the social activists by its absolute power. In older days, social workers made room for themselves and warranted recognition by virtue of their strong personality and visible reformative ideas. We may take the life and work of Utkalmani Gopabandhu Das as the best example. Since the dimension of the society and the definition of social work have changed remarkably, the recognition from the Government for a social activist is essentially required and they are entitled for the same.
Do you agree to the financial aids provided by Government is a right decisionIJ
The modern society believes in and exists on participatory governance. The Government at its own can’t do everything. Again, in order to implement any agenda or idea, money is essentially required. Hence, provision for these is a must subject to scrutiny of their activities by competent authority in an honest manner.
Can your role as a social activist be an asset for selecting you as a political leaderIJ
Definitely! Primarily, I am a social worker and then a political activist. The aim and objective of both is to work for the public. As a social worker, I have the aptitude for detecting where the shoe pinches. As a political activist, I can have the power and resources for resolving the issues. Therefore, I have confidence that I shall definitely be an asset for scaling my career as a political leader.
What’s your opinion regarding those tainted NGOs which are blacklisted for amassing public money and foreign aidIJ What remedial measures you suggest for weeding them outIJ
Any kind of financial aid from any Government is directly related to public money. To make them blacklisted is not at all a punishment. Grabbing public money is a heinous crime in my opinion. So, the chief functionaries of these organisations should be hanged by the court of law and their properties should be confiscated.sunan