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The pole star in the Political sky of Udupi District
– Mrs. Eugene Quadros.
There was a time, till early 80’s, in our Barkur, the much needed
women leadership was derived only from Teachers serving in the
local primary Schools. In other words the majority of women though
with talents and strengths, confined to four walls… or reached up
to Church Parish Council, as part of ruling brigade, rarely raised
their voices or opinions.
But today, there are women ICYM Presidents, heads of various
social groups, business women, office bearers of Church forums
etc. but exceptionally very few in Political fields. One such name
very frequently heard was that of Mrs. Eugene Quadros of
Hanehalli – a pleasing personality with true concern for less
privileged, ready to help anyone irrespective of caste, creed or
faith, the brave lady who sailed successfully with caution in the
ocean of politics where uncertainties, favoritism, compromise with
values, at every step haunt one, to its brim, earned a commendable
name and high respects in our circles, for herself.
Today, Barkuronline chosen her to be the ‘Personality of the
month’, not just because she is a successful Political Leader
as Punchayat President, Member of various State Government
bodies…. or handled various responsibilities in the Catholic Sabha,
at the Taluk, District, Diocesan or State level…. But more
importantly for her yeomen service to the general public of Barkur.
We have seen her leadership more during emergencies than in
pleasure parties, seen her sharing the grief and sorrows of
unfortunate ones than with rich, powerful and elite, she has
embraced and helped those who were lonely and aged, consoled,
fought for them and brought and distributed what they deserve…. or
Government offered.
The smart lady born and brought –up in nearby Moodubelle,
had special interest in Social Work and true concern for poor, in
her early days. Married to Roque Quadros of Barkur
Hanehalli, the ideal life partner, serving in a reputed
International Group viz. P&O Cruise liners, - in the year1976, a
co-incident the year the ICYM born in Barkur, was confined to be a
normal housewife, who was busy and occupied to look after her two
sons, Royan and Russell.. Yes, those efforts in the budding
didn’t go in vein – today, their first son, Royan, after obtaining
a Degree in Hotel Management, toeing the lines of his father by
joining prestigious P&O Cruise lines, now in Australia. And
intelligent and articulate Russell on his way to becoming
an Engineer, pursuing his studies in Mysore…….
In the state of Karnataka, beginning of the decade 80 was
considered politically volatile and the Janata Party almost
irrelevant elsewhere in the country, was showing revival
signs….later catapulted to rule the State in the year 1983 and
fitting to be a better alternative to secular Congress Party.
The well-known duo late Ramakrishna Hegde and Abdul
Nazir Saab, the pioneers who conceived the concept
‘decentralization of power through the amendments to the Panchayat
raj legislation’, given a boost to local leadership in a very
big scale.
One such opportunity knocked the door of Mrs. Quadros, who
reluctantly accepted the challenge to contest the local body
elections, won with huge majority and since then never turned
back…..!. Better opportunities with more responsibilities –
starting from being the first Woman Panchayat President of
Hanehalli Village….. and so on and so forth…..!! Though the
Janata Parivaar has witnessed ups and downs over the years,
but affiliations of people like Mrs. Quadros not changed, true
secular set of approach for the development and growth of
community as a whole.
A powerful speaker in Kannada and Konkani alike, she has mastered
the art of convincing the people in power and educating the
illiterate, economically weaker sections, of their rights and
privileges offered by the Government, in a way responsible for
social awareness movement in the locality. She has friends and
well wishers in almost all political parties, Social
organizations, NGO’s, charitable institutions……in a way with all
who matter most.
In her long public life she fought for social justice, women
empowerment, rights of minorities, instrumental to lay Roads,
Drinking water facilities, houses for poor etc. in her Village,
raised her voice effectively against corruption and in a way
offered much needed leadership both in State and Church. Today she
is a Member of Barkur Parish Council, Kallianpur Varado Council,
Mangalore Diocesan ‘Govlic Parishad’, Member – Brahmmavar
Circle Inspector’s Office – Spandhana – a forum for Social
Justice and more importantly nominated as Member to prestigious
‘Udupi District Minority Welfare Board’ since 01.08.03.
The success story of local MLA, and ex-Minister, Mr.
Jayaprakash Hegde as a mass leader today, would definitely
have contributions from his ‘core operations team’ at the grass
root level; in executing what he got sanctioned, in the form of
grants / schemes / packages - from the corridors of Vidhana
Soudha, Bangalore.
Barkuronline
pages very often published her achievements, but she politely
refuses to be in the limelight and instead give credit to her
friends whatever she has achieved. Hers was a happily married
family life with two talented, academically brilliant sons and
always says - her priority is home and family.
As we said earlier, the achievements rather services of Mrs.
Quadros, thus far in every walks of life is exemplary and if
someone make an attempt to list them, it is only a fraction….,
hence in one sentence thank her for all good things she has done
to our society….. and wish her and her family all the very best in
their life.
On behalf of Barkuronline and ICYM Barkur Ex-Members Association,
P.Archibald Furtado,
Muscat, 30th January, 2005. |
