 One of her early involvements was with the Karuna non-governmental organisation, which she founded and which was focused on issues relating to women and children.She married Niranjan Thomas Alva on 24 May 1964, with whom she has one daughter and three sons, including Niret Alva.The couple had met as students at Government Law College and her husband now operates a successful export business, which has given her financial security that has been beneficial to her later career.