Beena Philip, the fourth woman to hold the office of Kozhikode Corporation Mayor, has faced more criticism and backlash than any of her predecessors since she assumed the position in December 2020. Being a teacher with no prior experience in electoral politics, her approach was frequently questioned and occasionally welcomed. Jyoti Verma, Senior Journalist interviews her for this edition of Urban Update
AS A TEACHER WITH NO PRIOR EXPERIENCE IN ELECTORAL POLITICS, WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO TAKE UP THE ROLE OF MAYOR OF KOZHIKODE? HOW HAS YOUR BACKGROUND INFLUENCED YOUR APPROACH TO GOVERNANCE?
My family’s political background as well as my conviction in the ideology, and of course the party’s request, the COVID-19 experience, my children being abroad, and the void it created, all contributed to the decision. Also, I love being among people. My experience not only as a teacher and principal for over nine years but also as an adult trainer and motivator influences my approach to governance.
KOZHIKODE HAS SEEN AN INCREASE IN PROTESTS AND CRITICISM SINCE YOU TOOK CHARGE AS MAYOR. HOW DO YOU HANDLE THESE CHALLENGES, AND WHAT STRATEGIES HAVE YOU ADOPTED TO ADDRESS THE CONCERNS OF THE PROTESTERS?
Protests and criticisms were actually not against me personally. It was part of attacking my party and the council in power. I had no regrets about what I said. But it was painful for me because my party faced all the blame, even though it was a misleading interpretation of a single phrase without taking the whole part of my speech that clearly said what I meant. Even now, they try to lift one sentence in isolation and scroll through it for a long time. My friends used to say, “Our hearts beat faster whenever we look at your name scrolling on the screen because we know it’s misleading. Only after watching your interview to the end do we realise what you really mean”. But I face these challenges knowing that I am someone worth attacking to defame my party. The protesters are not worth it to me to adopt a particular strategy.
DO YOU BELIEVE THAT A RESERVATION OF AT LEAST 33 PER CENT FOR WOMEN IS ADEQUATE? HAS IT, IN A TRUE SENSE, ENHANCED WOMEN’S PARTICIPATION IN LOCAL GOVERNANCE?
I don’t believe in the reservation percentage, but reservation is the only reason for the increasing number of women in local self-government’s leadership and policy-making. But still, we have a long way to go to get rid of the reservations against women in general. At the same time, we must admit the compassion and inclusiveness in the policy discussions, even when we think of urban development and the general outlook, that can be attributed mainly to the influence of women in policy making. That means women’s voices have an impetus in the present policymaking of any government, union, state, or local body.
CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT A SPECIFIC INSTANCE WHERE YOUR APPROACH TO AN ISSUE RECEIVED WIDE APPLAUSE?
As I said, my womanhood makes me think, act, and react differently from my predecessors. Being more kind and compassionate, more patient in listening, and more understanding and tolerant to people in general and employees of the corporation have been applauded by many. A few did raise their brows, it’s true. Having a strong conviction that everyone’s sociocultural background shapes their character as well as behaviour, my approach to one person differs from another. So “don’t worry” is the feeling a person gets when he leaves my office. A motherly approach is one of my policies.
IN WHAT WAYS HAVE YOU BROUGHT INNOVATION TO THE GOVERNANCE OF KOZHIKODE?
My past is my strength. People trust me, as I have been working in the city limits for more than 42 years as a person who is reliable, service-oriented, and thinks outside the box for the betterment of the community. I am not a typical politician in their eyes. It’s not fair on me to point out each and every issue the new council could solve. To mention a few, solving the issues of NOC in building or repairing houses in a particular area, taking up the ownership of a large area for a park, and solving the long-standing difficulties in the parking of vehicles by starting beach parking and roadside parking arrangements are the ones that I count as our mention-worthy achievements. It was applauded by all, including a large number of NRIs.
HOW DO YOU ENSURE TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY IN YOUR ROLE AS MAYOR? WHAT MEASURES HAVE YOU TAKEN TO INVOLVE THE PUBLIC IN DECISION-MAKING PROCESSES?
Being transparent and accountable is the only answer. I will see that almost all decisions taken will be discussed in a body of councilors and chairman, including the representatives of the opposition political parties. When it comes to involving the public, we have a group of experts from all walks of life. Doctors, engineers, management experts, business experts, planning experts, NIT, IIM, retired scientists, artists, architects, educationalists, and so on. We have separate working groups that provide suggestions and facilitate introspection. Besides, the mayor’s office is open to all, so every person who comes with a heavy heart feels relief while going back. Compassion is sometimes a weakness, as I am more occupied with seeking solutions as an individual than as mayor.
COULD YOU HIGHLIGHT SOME OF THE MAJOR CHALLENGES YOU HAVE FACED SINCE BECOMING MAYOR AND HOW YOU HAVE WORKED TO OVERCOME THEM?
Waste management is the major challenge that we face even now. Solid waste management—about 70 per cent—was solved by forming an SHG called Haritha Karma Sena, but liquid waste management is still a major issue. Construction work of two STPs that raised public protest, was taken up by opposition parties, creating unnecessary fear among people. Slowly, people got convinced through awareness programmes and a number of interactions at different levels. We are far ahead of other corporations and municipalities in Kerala in waste management, but our main issue is liquid waste management. We have a strong network of Haritha Karma Sena, division-level clusters, RPs, and door-todoor collection facilities with QR code systems that solve 75 per cent of the solid waste issue.
BEING A NON-POLITICAL FIGURE BEFORE ASSUMING OFFICE, HAVE YOU FACED ANY DIFFICULTIES IN COLLABORATING WITH POLITICAL PARTIES?
Honestly, it was quite tough in the beginning. But slowly, you get acquainted with it. In Kerala, everybody is on social media, which leads to twisted and fraudulent news spreading faster. Even the opposition parties are not that hard for me. Above all, my party has trust in me as they know me and my background.
KOZHIKODE IS KNOWN FOR ITS RICH CULTURAL HERITAGE. HOW HAVE YOU PROMOTED AND PRESERVED THE SAME DURING YOUR TENURE?
Every possible way has been exploited to preserve our heritage. Promoting personal home museums, attending to as many varied forms of cultural activities as possible, encouraging every artist or performer personally through interactions, and creating a feeling among people that the culture and heritage of the city are to be preserved and practiced for growing towards a nobler culture Now my city is trying to get the status of City of Literature in the Creative Cities Network of UNESCO. The corporation directly organized painting fests and dance programmes for Anganwadi staff, Asha workers, Kudumbashree units, residence associations, employees, and the general public without any restriction. We are going to organise “Natakotsav,” lasting five days. There are many other festivals organised by quite a large number of groups, organisations, and firms.
WHAT STEPS HAVE YOU TAKEN TO ADDRESS THE ISSUES OF INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT, WASTE MANAGEMENT, AND ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY IN KOZHIKODE?
Apart from the routine infrastructure developments like roads, parks, and buildings, we have started the beach parking system for 600+ cars, 150 + trucks, and two-wheelers, which will start in July. Besides three parking plazas, more numbers of MRFs, MCFs, and toilet blocks have been started but are yet to be completed.
HOW DO YOU ENVISION KOZHIKODE’S GROWTH UNDER YOUR LEADERSHIP?
My priorities are based on the needs of the people and time. Being the most densely packed city, housing the homeless is of utmost importance. Started a project named “Home for the Homeless,” aiming to complete 1000 houses in the first phase with the help of the government, organisations, individuals, builders, and even common people. As I said, the construction of STPs, FSTPs, and a sufficient number of MRFs and MCFs are a few other priorities yet to be realised. I hope we are rowing slowly and steadily to reach our destination.