Do you identify with people around here, in these villages very close to where your father grew up?
Oh yes. People are people. I just identify with them. I work for humanity, for me that is more important.
I just belong. For me people make the difference. Everybody asks me: You lived in Singapore, do you miss it? I don't miss Singapore. How can I miss the supermarkets. I miss the people. My friends. I don't get attached to any place, I am attached to people.
What has been the interesting aspects of your campaign? And the tough moments?
The interesting part has been meeting the people. The difficult part is when you meet a mum, like I did today -- who I met for the second time during my campaign. She has four children under the age of six. The husband had a job but had an accident and lost his arm. He is jobless. She carries her four children everywhere looking for a job for her husband. Four children under the age of six... Unbelievable.
I find that very very difficult. It is just humanity. Poverty still gives me a lot of (pain). And I have seen poverty very closely in Mumbai. You don't have to come here to see poverty. There is much worse poverty in Mumbai.
What strategies have you adopted while approaching village people? How is it different from what you project to city folks?
I don't strategise. I just go to people and appeal to them. It is not a strategy. I don't write speeches. I just think. These people's requirements are different. I talk more about farming here. But priorities are the same. They would like to see better healthcare, water education, roads. Everybody wants better infrastructure today.
I have no strategy as such. If you notice I don't criticise my opponents at all. I tell them what I can do. I don't care what the others want to do. I feel I am putting in my best. I feel if I was a citizen what would I expect (from a politician). I just want a better life for my kids, my family and myself.
Image: Supriya plans to be in her future constituency twice a month solving people's problems. "It is a lot of responsibility. It is going to be a challenge. I am going to have to give up a lot of my free time. I cannot see that much theatre, cinema or concerts. I am looking forward to that phase in my life. It is something I have done out of choice." Photograph: Sanjay Sawant.
Also watch: Singing for Veena didi | Coverage: India Votes 2009
Advertisement
