Meet Mridula Sinha who was Goa's first woman former governor, teacher, eminent litterateur, strong speaker, reticent and scholar

She was an embodiment of a soft, gentle, simple, spontaneous personality and love exactly as per her name 'Mridula'.

Dr. Mridula Sinha, who rose from teacher-writer to the post of Governor of Goa, has been awarded the Padma Shri, India's fourth highest civilian award posthumously in 2021 for her dedication, passion, and literary arts.

Dr. Mridula Sinha was a noted author and politician who served as the Governor of Goa from August 2014 to October 2019. She was the first woman Governor of Goa.

She did M.A. in Psychology. (M.A.) and B.Ed. After this, she taught for some time in a college in Muzaffarpur and was also the principal of a school in Motihari. She was the former President of BJP Mahila Morcha.

Her name is also elevated in the world of literature. She has written more than 46 books in her lifetime. Her book 'Ek Thi Rani Aisi Bhi' written on the late Rajmata Vijayaraje Scindia was also made into a film.

Life journey of Dr. Mridula Sinha

Mridula Sinha was born to Mrs. Anupa Devi and Babu Chhabile Singh on 27 November 1942, the auspicious day of Ram-Vivah according to the Hindu calendar, in Kanti Chhapra Dharampur Yadu village of Muzaffarpur district, Bihar.

She took her early education in the local school of Chhapra and later got her education in Balika Vidyapeeth, a residential school for girls in the Lakhisarai district.

In 1962, she completed her BA in Psychology. Studied Bachelor of Education from Honors MDDM College.

When Mridula ji was pursuing her B.A., she was married to Dr. Ram Kripal Sinha, a resident of Matihani, Aurai, who was a professor of English at a college of Bihar University in Muzaffarpur.

She continued her education even after marriage. She did B.A. and passed the examination in the year 1964, she passed her M.A. from Bihar University and completed the education of Masters in Psychology subject B.Ed from Bihar University in 1971. 

Mridula ji worked as a lecturer at Dr. SK Sinha Women's College, Motihari. Meanwhile, Dr. Ram Kripal Sinha received his doctorate degree. Then Mridula ji opened a school in Muzaffarpur and from 1968 to 1977 she was the headmistress of Bharatiya Shishu Mandir in Muzaffarpur.

Gavai tradition was liked by Mridula Sinha. With the encouragement of Dr. Ram Kirpal Sinha, Mridula ji started writing folk tales.

Mridula ji's literary creation continued to be embellished. She started writing folk tales based on the fragrance of the soil of the village, which continued to be published in weekly Hindustan, Nav Bharat Times, Dharmayug, Maya, Manorama, etc.

Later her folk tales were published in two volumes under the name of Bihar's folk tales. Her interest in folk tales never waned and she always kept creating - whether she was a teacher, a social worker, or an active politician, even in the Raj Bhavan of Goa, she did not leave the side of the pen.

Novels and Books

Mridula ji has written more than 46 books on various subjects. Her literary works include 'Jyon Mehndi Ko Rang' (a novel turned into a TV serial on Doordarshan and the short story 'Adopt Father'), 'Nai Devayani', 'Gharwas', 'Sita Puni Boli', 'Dekhen Mein Chhotan Lage', 'Yayavari Aankhon Se', 'Dhai Bigha Zameen', 'Maatra Deh Nahin Hai Aurat', 'Ek diye ki Diwali', 'Apna Jivan', 'Akhiri Ichchha', 'Paritpat Lankeshwari', 'Mujhe Kuchh Kehna Hai', ' Aurat Aviksit Purush Nahin Hai', 'Chinta Aur Chinta Ke Indradhanushiya Rang', 'Ya Nari Sarvabhuteshu', 'Ek Sahityakar Se Lautkar' were included.

Biography of Gwalior's Rajmata Vijayaraje Scindia – Ek Thi Rani Aisi Bhi, a film has also been made on it.

She has also written essays for children like 'In front of the mirror', 'Manvi ke naate' and 'Bihar ki folk tales'.

21 researchers on Mridula ji were awarded Ph.D/Doctorate by Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar Bihar University for research on their works. She has received many national-international level honors.

Mridula ji used to continuously edit the monthly magazine 'Panchwa Stambh'.

Her Political Career

Mridula ji's husband Dr. Ramkripal Sinha was a cabinet minister in Bihar and minister of state in the central government. She was also in charge of BJP's central office.

In the 1967 elections, gradually her interest in politics increased.

She was the first president of Mahila Morcha. She actively participated in the 'Samagra Kranti' led by Jai Prakash Narayan.

She was also the chairperson of the Central Social Welfare Board during the prime ministership of Atal Bihari Vajpayee. She was also a member of the Central Working Committee of the Bharatiya Janata Party.

PM Modi made her the ambassador of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. Became the Governor of Goa on 31st August 2014 and held the post till 2nd November 2019. As the Governor of Goa, she was very popular among the Goans.

During her tenure as the Governor of Goa, she also reared a cow and a calf at the Raj Bhavan for daily worship.

Mridula ji received Sahitya Bhushan Samman from Uttar Pradesh Hindi Sansthan and Acharya Tulsi Kartikeya Award by Deendayal Upadhyaya, All India Terapanthiya Hiralal in 2017.

Renowned scholar Mridula ji passed away tragically on 18th November 2020 and that great soul disappeared into the divine. We bow down to that great soul.