A Woman With A Voice!
Smt.Jayanti Patnaik (7 April 1932 – 28 September 2022) was an Indian Parliamentarian and hailed from Aska, Orissa. She was the first Chairperson of the National Commission for Women in early nineties, the 2nd chairperson of All India Mahila Congress & the wife of former Chief Minister, Janaki Ballav Patnaik. A former Member of Parliament from Cuttack and Berhampur she was closely associated with social, cultural and literary works of her times.
I remember Kuni Apa, as she was known to her friends & family, as a proactive leader who helped people from different walks of life. In the early 80's, my mother set up an electronic component industry with Japanese technology, in Bhubaneswar.
The "import license policy" was very unfavorable for Indian entrepreneurs & when Ma reached out to Kuni apa, she personally took her to meet the then finance minister, Mr.Pranab Mukherjee. While Ma explained to the finance minister, Kuni apa requested Pranab da to expedite the policy changes to enable the first woman technocrat led industry in Orissa to start commercial production.
She would call up Ma personally & send visiting dignitaries to see the manufacturing processes manned by girls mostly. This helped Ma in getting NORARD, IDBI technical assistance.
By drawing national attention to JBS Capacitors as a sophisticated electronic industry set up by a woman technical entrepreneur in Orissa, Kuni apa used to proudly say JBS is named after the ruling deities of Orissa "Jagannath Balabhdra Subhadra”. Another story about her positive mindset & working style which comes to my mind is from my MBBS days.
A lot of my doctor friends from SCB medical College will remember the time, wherein all the girl students had gone on a mass hunger strike protesting against an unsavoury incident.
Kuni apa listened to us, arranged a meeting with the CM & finally the issue was resolved. The nicest part was the way she herself coaxed the horde of hungry & angry girls to eat. So, a group of girl medicos sat down to have a sumptuous meal with the chief minister after which we were escorted back to our campus.
During the time, Madam Patnaik was Chairperson All India Mahila Congress, the National level meet was held in Bhubaneswar & Oriya handicrafts & food were promoted to increase the state's tourism potential.
She would invite a group of eminent women to her home for breakfast, to interact with visiting women groups from various parts of the country & the choicest of Chakuli, Manda, kakara & dalma would be served.
Seeing her closely, I understood that politics could be a good thing when we bring people to the table to sit down, work together, compromise and get things done for the common good.
The world needs strong women like Jayanti Patnaik. Women who will lift and build others, women of indomitable courage & will, at all levels, especially at the top of the pyramid to make sure women’s voices are heard and heeded.
As an Oriya, I can proudly say Smt Jayanti Patnaik is a proud, accomished daughter of Orissa & a true Karuwaki. Karuwakispeaks salutes her spirit & offers Shradanjali to the departed soul!
