Urminda Mascarenhas e Lima Leitao (née Mascarenhas; 16 January 1926 – 20 February 2010) was an Indian politician, educator and businesswoman. She was a former member of the Goa, Daman and Diu Legislative Assembly, representing the Mormugao Assembly constituency from 1963 to 1967.[1][2][3] Mascarenhas was the first woman MLA to be elected in the 1963 Goa, Daman and Diu Legislative Assembly election, also the first and only woman legislator from the Mormugao Assembly constituency.[a] She was known for her diligent attitude and radical speeches in the state legislative assembly.
Urminda Mascarenhas | |
|---|---|
 Portrait of Mascarenhas | |
| Member of Goa, Daman and Diu Legislative Assembly | |
| In office 11 December 1963 – 1967 | |
| Preceded by | constituency established |
| Succeeded by | Gajanan Patil |
| Constituency | Mormugao |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 16 January 1926 Goa, Portuguese India, Portuguese Empire |
| Died | 20 February 2010 (aged 84) Vasco da Gama, Goa, India |
| Political party | United Goans Party (1963–1967) |
| Spouse | Marcelino Da Lima Leitao (died 1972) |
| Children | 5; one deceased |
| Alma mater | Bombay University (B.Ed & B.Sc) |
| Occupation |
|
| Profession | Principal |
Career
editTeaching
editMascarenhas was a principal at A.J De Almeida High School, Ponda from 1948 to 1952, before contesting in the Goa, Daman and Diu elections in 1963.[2]
Politics (1963–1968)
editMascarenhas, along with Jack de Sequeira, was involved in the movement and eventual victory of the Goa Opinion Poll.[4]
She was a founding member of United Goans Party (UGP) along with her husband, Marcelino. She contested in the 1963 Goa, Daman and Diu Legislative Assembly election from the Mormugao Assembly constituency on the UGP ticket and emerged victorious, serving for five years from 1963 to 1967.[5][6][7] Some of her mentors in politics were C. Rajagopalachari, S. Nijalingappa, former chief minister of Mysore State and Rajmohan Gandhi. Mascarenhas later left politics to join her husband in business in 1968.[2][3]
Personal life
editMascarenhas has completed her studies in Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Training (now Bachelor of Education) from Bombay University. She was married to Marcelino Da Lima Leitao, they had six children together. In August 1972, Marcelino died, followed by her son, Noel at Calcutta in September 2009.[2]
Death
editOn 20 February 2010, Mascarenhas died from a prolonged illness at Dr. Baban's Nursing Home at Vasco da Gama, Goa.[2][8]
Notes
edit- ^ a source from goanet mentions Mascarenhas represented the Vasco Da Gama Assembly constituency which is false.
References
edit- ^ "Goa Legislative Assembly". www.goavidhansabha.gov.in. Retrieved 30 November 2022.
- ^ a b c d e "[Goanet] Urminda Mascarenhas e Lima Leitao expired". goanet.goanet.narkive.com. Retrieved 30 November 2022.
- ^ a b Assembly, Goa, Daman and Diu (India) Legislative (1967). Debates; Official Report.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Narayan, Rajan (19 January 2024). "UNSUNG HEROES OF THE OPINION POLL!". Goan Observer. Retrieved 25 June 2024.
- ^ "Few women make it to Assembly". The Navhind Times. 18 January 2022. Retrieved 25 June 2024.
- ^ Fernandes, Paul (8 March 2017). "53 years on, women yet to find footing in Goa assembly". The Times of India. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 25 June 2024.
- ^ de Souza, Gerard (4 April 2024). "Goa's women politicians: Wives, daughters and also-rans". Hindustan Times.
- ^ "ExMLAs-Lima-Leitao-death-condoled". oHeraldo. 21 February 2010. Retrieved 25 June 2024.