Shailaja Teacher — as she is fondly known — was in Bengaluru as part of launching the Kannada edition of her memoir, 'My Life as a Comrade'.
Published Dec 01, 2024 | 12:00 PM ⚊ Updated Dec 05, 2024 | 7:51 AM
KK Shailaja (third, right) at the launch of the Kannada version of her memoir, 'My Life as a Comrade.'
Kerala’s former health minister KK Shailaja said a socialist framework could eradicate injustices, but India’s capitalist tilt has been favouring the rich over the poor.
Speaking to South First on the sidelines of the launch of the Kannada translation of her memoir, My Life as a Comrade: The Story of an Extraordinary Politician and the World That Shaped Her, on Saturday, 30 November, Shailaja said capitalism and fundamentalism commodified women.
“Capitalism and fundamentalism often commodify women, leading to systemic exploitation like trafficking. A socialist framework can eradicate such injustices, but India’s capitalist tilt favours the rich over the poor,” she said when asked about Kerala’s draft Women’s Policy.
She stressed the need for structural reform to address inequality. “Thirty percent of India’s population lives in extreme poverty. Kerala strives for a different approach, but with limited fiscal resources due to the federal system, sustaining social welfare measures is challenging,” she added.
The CPI(M) central committee member, fondly called Shailaja Teacher, compared the public health systems in the US and Kerala.
KK Shailaja at the book launch event. (Nikhil/ South First)
“America is a great country, but during Covid, the lack of a robust public health system left many poor people without access to treatment. In Kerala, despite being a state with limited revenue, we utilised our public health system effectively,” Shailaja said.
As the health minister, she had earned the sobriquets of “Rock Star” and “Coronavirus Slayer” for her adept handling of the peak Covid-19 situation.
Reflecting on Kerala’s robust handling of the Covid-19 pandemic, she emphasised the importance of a decentralised and well-funded public health system.
“Without a proper public health system, no country can manage infectious or non-communicable diseases. Affordable and quality treatment must be accessible to all,” Shailaja, who now represents Mattannur in the Kerala Assembly, opined.
Recalling Kerala’s preparedness in containing the spread of the virus, she said, “We ensured that the virus never surpassed the health system’s capacity threshold. For instance, if 100 beds were occupied, we prepared another 100 in anticipation. Similarly, we enhanced oxygen production by operationalising half-finished plants before shortages arose.”
Incidentally, Shailaja was the health minister when Kerala witnessed a Nipah outbreak in May 2018.
The former minister shed light on how Kerala initiated a public health mission in 2016 to improve infrastructure and decentralise care.
“We launched Swaas clinics to address COPD and Ashwas clinics for mental health at the primary health centre level. Decentralisation ensures accessible treatment at lower levels, empowering the community to tackle health challenges effectively,” she explained.
Shailaja served as the health minister in the first Pinarayi Vijayan Cabinet between 25 May 2016 and 19 May 2021. However, she was not drafted into the Cabinet when Vijayan won a second consecutive term.
The Kannada translation of Shailaja’s memoir, My Life as a Comrade, which she co-authored with Manju Sara Rajan, was released at the HN Multimedia Auditorium, National College in Basavanagudi.
Dr HS Anupama translated the book. (Nikhil/South First)
Published by Kriya Madhyama, the book has been translated into Kannada by Dr HS Anupama, a medical practitioner and author.
The event, attended by intellectuals and readers, celebrated Shailaja’s remarkable leadership during the Covid-19 pandemic, while also highlighting Kerala’s robust public health policies.
Vimala KS of Kriya Madhyama hailed the book as a narrative of Kerala’s Covid-19 resilience,
“This is not just Shailaja Teacher’s autobiography; it is a chronicle of how Kerala managed a pandemic with its public health model. The concept of ‘health for all,’ introduced over a century ago, remains unfulfilled in many parts of India, where government hospitals continue to struggle.”
Translator Dr Anupama shared her connection to the project, “As a medical professional, I witnessed how the pandemic changed the world. Shailaja Teacher’s leadership during this time was inspiring. When I read her book, I knew it had to be translated for Kannada readers. Her humility, like declining the Ramon Magsaysay Award to acknowledge her team’s collective effort, is rare in politics.”
She also praised the memoir’s unique lens. “Unlike many male autobiographies that focus solely on individual achievements, Shailaja Teacher highlights her family’s role in shaping her journey, particularly her grandmother, MK Kalyani, who influenced her deeply.”
Dr Vasundhara Bhupathi urged for the book’s translation into other Indian languages. “This autobiography is not just about Shailaja Teacher but also Kerala’s policies. Her story inspires leaders across states and genders. During Covid, health ministers from all over India looked up to her.”
Shailaja had earlier termed My Life as a Comrade a memoir rather than an autobiography.
The event also revisited Shailaja’s political journey, from her communist upbringing to her tenure as Kerala’s Health Minister. Her decision to decline the Ramon Magsaysay Award and her acceptance of the collective effort during the pandemic stood out as a testament to her character.
Shailaja declined the award following the CPI(M) committee decision. Former president of the Philippines and a US ally, Ramon Magsaysay crushed the communist-led Hukbalahap movement in that country.
Dr Anupama expressed her disappointment at Shailaja not being re-inducted into the Cabinet. “She should have been given another term in the Kerala government. Her leadership is a loss not just for Kerala but for the country.”
Discussing the book’s journey, Shailaja said, “The English version is doing well with positive reviews, but many local people prefer it in their language. The Kannada translation will make it accessible to a broader audience.”
The Kannada translation of My Life as a Comrade marks an important milestone in making Shailaja’s inspiring journey accessible to a wider audience. The book serves as a reminder of the power of collective action and the importance of prioritising public health in governance.
(Edited by Majnu Babu).
