SUHASINI Prabhugaonkar has seen over 32 years in journalism and has been a familiar face at the Marathi language daily Gomantak for many years. Apart from being a familiar byline covering women’s and children’s issues she has over the years been a fierce and loyal fighter for the rights of media people. She became the first woman journalist to be president of the Goa Union of Journalists of which she was a co-founder.
She has also been the only woman journalist from Goa representing a national body of journalists union (IFWJ). At various times she has been GUJ treasurer, joint secretary, organizing secretary and it was she who initiated a Goa Journalists Welfare Fund scheme and responsible for acquiring GUJ premises at Shakti Bhavan. She is a recipient of several awards for her writings on women and children’s issues as also her efforts to improve the working conditions of her fellow journalists. Amongst the awards are the Goa Chamber of Commerce Vernacular Journalist Award, Yashodamini Award, Gurupournima Award, Gomantak Marathi Academy Award, Dempo Commerce Ruby Jubilee Star Award…she has also been felicitated by Gomantak Sahitya Sevak Mandal, Giants International (Porvorim), Goa State Women’s Commission.
Perhaps a little known aspect of her life is that she lost her husband, the late Shivaji Prabhugaonkar, a former director of the Information & Publicity Department, under tragic conditions. The couple and family were residing at government VIP quarters in such an unmaintained condition that a stone slab collapsed on Mr Prabhugaonkar, injuring and paralyzing him enough to bring considerable trauma and pain to the family. Soon after he passed away at the age of 52 years. Leaving his wife Suhasini to cope and soldier on bravely, bringing up two children as also working at home and office. Though the years have caught up with Suhasini Prabhugaonkar she has many loyal fans who watch out for her.