Panaji, August 2026: A sister’s memories of the woman behind Goa’s first woman Chief Minister came alive at the launch of Tai-Smruti Sugandh, a book by Jyoti Bandekar that offers an intimate portrait of the late Shashikala Kakodkar beyond her political career. Bringing together personal recollections, family memories and reflections on her public life, the book presents Kakodkar as remembered by the younger sister who knew her both as a political leader and as an elder sibling.
The book was unveiled at Panjim Gymkhana by Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant, in the presence of guest speaker Paresh Prabhu, Editor of Dainik Navprabha, and the author.
Also present were dignitaries including Damu Naik, Sadanand Tanawde, Deepak Dhavalikar, Shripad Naik, industry leaders, prominent citizens, well-wishers and family members of the author.
The Chief Minister said, “Tai Shashikala and Bhausaheb Bandodkar were visionary leaders who introduced progressive policies during their time as Chief Ministers, which gave a boost to education and industry. They were leaders of the people and were loved by the people of Goa. This book offers life lessons on family bonding and respect for elders through the delicate manner in which it has been authored. I hope the youth of today will learn a lesson or two from it.”
He further added, “When I was a child, I studied at a school supported by Bhausaheb, and today I feel humbled that I am unveiling a book on Tai Shashikala authored by her sister Jyoti.”
“Tai was a public figure to the world, but to me she was first my elder sister. This book is my attempt to remember the person behind the public life and preserve the memories, values and moments that made her who she was,” said Jyoti Bandekar.
Recalling an incident from Tai Shashikala’s childhood, she fondly spoke about how the young Shashikala tightly held onto the national flag and repeatedly chanted “Jai Hind” when Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia delivered a fiery speech in Margao on June 18, 1946.
On behalf of the family, Sameer Kakodkar, son of Tai Shashikala, paid a heartfelt tribute to his mother and shared anecdotes from the time they spent together.
Shashikala Kakodkar was Goa’s first and only woman Chief Minister. Born on January 7, 1935, she was the eldest child of Goa’s first Chief Minister, Dayanand Bandodkar, and Sunandabai Bandodkar. She entered electoral politics after being elected from Ponda in 1967 and later served as a minister in her father’s government. Following his death in 1973, she became Chief Minister of Goa, Daman and Diu, serving until 1979. She also headed the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party.
A significant focus of Kakodkar’s public life was education, with her tenure associated with efforts to expand educational opportunities across Goa. Her political career and contribution to the state have since formed an important part of Goa’s post-Liberation history.
Bandekar, who comes from the Bandodkar family, has remained associated with education, culture and public life. A graduate of the Faculty of Arts at Pune University, she has held leadership positions in Citizen Co-operative Bank, Vasco, for more than three decades and has been associated with several cultural and educational initiatives. She is also associated with Swardhara Cultural Institution in Panaji.
Tai-Smruti Sugandh is Bandekar’s second book. Her earlier work, Bhau Athvancha Parijat, documented memories of Dayanand Bandodkar, while Swachhand is her published collection of poetry. With Tai-Smruti Sugandh, she adds another personal account to the record of the people and experiences that have shaped Goa’s history.
