AT HOME IN WARDS

Before them,the only woman to have been appointed BMC ward officer (the post is now called assistant municipal commissioner) was Kunda Kadam in July 1971.

“When I first came to Mumbai,I was taken aback by the size of the city,the traffic,” says Kapse,AMC,Goregaon West,P South Ward. “Once I joined,I zeroed-in on focus areas like giving proper walking space to pedestrians,getting roads repaired and most importantly focusing on dilapidated buildings,a big problem in Goregaon,during rains,” she says.

“I was a ward officer in Nagpur. To be given an opportunity to work as a ward officer in Mumbai was a challenge in itself,” says Kapse. She faced challenges even before her selection. While taking qualifying tests,she was seven months pregnant. Joining duty leaving her six-month-old son home was another challenge. For the veterinary doctor-turned-MBA-turned-civil-servant,it was a positive career choice,although it meant she had to leave a more settled life in hometown Nagpur. “I have been taking care of my mentally challenged sister and a younger brother while having a career,thanks to my supportive husband and a very supportive mother,” says Kapse.

Like her,Jadhav,AMC,C ward,has a tough time balancing home and operations at her South Mumbai ward,which includes areas such a Bhindi Bazaar,Bhuleshwar and Kalbadevi. “I sometimes feel guilty as I am not able to give time to my husband and 13-year-old daughter,” says Jadhav. She hopes to focus more on health and hygiene issues in her ward.

Does being a woman come in the way of her work? It is all in the perspective one has,says Jadhav,who had earlier worked with TISS and the state government as an officer in the women and child development department. She hopes to put to use her experience in improving things in her ward. “I want to provide a better life for residents,like better roads and walking zones and other amenities,” says Jadhav.

For Hasnale,AMC,T ward,Mulund West,being a woman is no deterrent in such a demanding job. Maybe women sometimes find it difficult as they are physically weaker,but knowledge can cross all barriers,she says. “I have been working at BMC institutions as a gynaecologist for over 15 years. My work schedule has always been erratic… Becoming assistant municipal commissioner is just another challenge,” she says.

“Putting to use the right knowledge at the right time makes all the difference,” says Hasnale adding,“The only regret is I can’t give my family much time. But both my children have adjusted well.”

The biggest challenge she now faces is to bring an attitudinal change in people of the ward. They should know they have certain rights but have certain duties too as citizens,she says.