FROM THE HIGH COURT TO THE RAJ BHAWAN

ANJANA DATTA profiles the First Lady of Punjab “I love Punjab and its people,” says Mrs. Maya Ray, the First Lady of Punjab. “They are warm, loving and wonderful people,” continues this charming lady who is the wife of Mr. Siddhartha Shankar Ray, Governor of Punjab.

Mrs. Ray is highly appreciative of the women of Punjab. “People here are hard-working and business-oriented. The women are very enterprising though their potentials are still untapped. They are getting into areas where they have talent, interest and flair. Unlike Bengali women who are either professionals or teachers, women in Punjab are mostly engaged in flower-making, boutiques or mushroom-growing”, says she.

Mrs. Maya Ray, who has toured every nook and corner of the State along with her husband, is very outgoing and friendly.

Enriched by the Punjab culture and art, the Rays have rapidly developed an interest in Punjab and its people. “We are in love with everything Punjabi – Punjabi food, Punjabi dress and folk-dance. Everything here fascinates me immensely. I love Punjabi food especially ‘makki- ki- roti’ and ‘sarson- ka- saag’. I wish I had come here in my youth. Then I would have enjoyed eating such rich food. Today I am more careful about what I eat.”

Though Maya Ray enjoys her stay in Punjab, she still considers Calcutta her home. “There is something homely about Calcutta. Though most of our friends and relatives are back home, in Chandigarh, too, we have made several friends.”

Though in her early sixties, the charming First Lady of Punjab looks amazingly young and sprightly for her age. Always well-dressed, she has good taste for everything in life. She is attractive, poised and intelligent. A woman of culture and grace, there is an air of elegance about her. Sitting in her office-room in the sprawling Raj Bhawan, she is the picture of an accomplished woman, full of exuberance and charm, whose jaunty personality lends dignity to the otherwise serious, dull-looking atmosphere of the Raj Bhawan.

Born at Dibrugarh in Assam, she is the daughter of a doctor. After her schooling in London, she joined the London School of Medicine for Women (Royal Free Hospital). Later she was called to the Bar from Lincoln’s Inn where she met her husband Mr. Siddhartha Shankar Ray, who was also studying law there. After her marriage, she moved to Calcutta along with her husband and started her own practice at the Calcutta High Court. As a career woman, she did remarkably well, and stood on the threshold of a distinguished career. She had a large and lucrative practice. Before her husband was entrusted with his present assignment, she was practising at the Supreme Court. She left her practice to join her husband.

Mrs. Ray herself has been a Member of Parliament from 1972 to 1977. In 1974, she visited Australia as a member of the Parliamentary delegation at the invitation of the Australian Government. She was a member of the Alternative Delegation to the General Assembly of the United Nations in 1975 and also served on the Second Committee. She was also a member of the party delegation to Iraq in 1975.

Being the First Lady of Punjab, she is the subject of attraction and attention. And surely, she fits into that role with ease. She has adjusted herself very well to the demanding role of a Governor’s wife. “Being the wife of a Governor is a wonderful thing. It gives me a chance to get involved with people.” Besides, the endless social calls and entertaining at the Raj Bhawan, she also does a lot of social work.

With her sophistication and elegance, she has brought grace, charm and dignity to her position as a perfect First Lady of Punjab. And a popular one too.

Anjana Datta

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