From deputy director to journalist, Uma Sharma to start third innings in Mohali MC Polls
Harshabab Sidhu
Mohali, February 9, 2021:
After serving in the Public Relations Department of Punjab for thirty years and then in Punjab Kesri as a journalist, Dr. Uma Sharma is looking confident to start her third innings with the upcoming Municipal Corporation (MC) elections this time. Uma Sharma is contesting her maiden elections from ward number 45 (reserved ward for women) as a candidate of Azad Group led by former Mohali mayor, Kulwant Singh. She got ‘tractor’ as her election symbol. The ward contains 2335 votes of Phase 1 and its adjoining area, out of which nearly 1800 votes are active.
Dr. Uma Sharma, a poet, a writer, a social activist, former deputy director, and a journalist said that she has entered the politics to change its ‘bad’ image. She said, “When this ward was declared reserved for women, the residents forced me to contest the polls as they saw an intelligent and an experienced social activist in me. The inspiration of city residents has pushed me towards politics.”
Talking to Babushahi Times, Uma Sharma said she sees her fight with all three candidates of Shiromani Akali Dal, Bhartiya Janta Party, and Congress. “No doubt the fight is not easy but I feel the people are now fed up with traditional parties. If they elect me, I will prioritize the security of women to curb the crimes like snatching and eve-teasing. I will install CCTV cameras at various points of my ward plus a special ground will be prepared for children,” said Uma Sharma.
Uma Sharma, daughter of a freedom fighter Dr. Gobindram Sharma shared her various journeys of life. Born in Fazilka city of Punjab, she graduated from her hometown. She said, “My dream was to become a doctor and I had also appeared in pre-medical test. Just before my admission, the money saved by my father was spent on the cremation of 84 martyrs of the 1971 war. That incident was really unforgettable and I was happy with my father’s decision. I was then asked to quit the medical study following which I chose arts. But when I found no job in the teaching line, I started studying journalism.”
Uma Sharma joined the public relations Punjab in 1984 and remained there for thirty years. She was the first DPRO (District Public Relations Officer) of Mohali. After that, she worked in Punjab Kesari from Delhi before resigning from there by the end of 2017. In addition to this, Uma Sharma remained the president of around nine organizations and general secretary of around six organizations.
She demanded that the MC elections should have been postponed by the government amid Kisan Morcha in Delhi. “Maximum number of people are fighting for their rights at Delhi borders. The elections should have been conducted only after sorting out the issues of farmers. I am fighting these elections but the reality is, I am not happy from inside,” said Uma Sharma.
Uma Sharma also alleged the ruling party for threatening the candidates. She added, “On the very first day of my campaign, the workers of Congress removed a large number of my posters by giving threats. I am even facing death threats and I think on the day of polling, i.e. on February 14, chances of violence are there. Still, I am not afraid of anything and ready to fight with honesty.”