By TwoCircles.net staff reporter
New Delhi: Gandhian Nirmala Deshpande passed away in her sleep on Thursday morning. She was 79.
Nirmala, popularly called “didi” was born in 1929 in Nagpur. She joined Vinoba Bhave’s Bhoodan Movement and participated in a number of padyatras.
Daughter of a famouse Marathi writer P. Y. Desphande, some of the books that she wrote are Vinoba, Vinoba ke Sath, Kranti Ki Rah Par, Chingling, Seemant, etc.
She was awarded Padma Vibhushan in 2006. She was a nominated member of the Rajya Sabha. She remained unmarried and is survived by her sister.
In a statement, Dr. Zafarul Islam Khan, president of the All India Muslim Majlis-e-Mushawarat (AIMMM) expressed sadness at the death of Ms. Deshpande. Recalling her service to the downtrodden and marginalized sections, Dr. Khan said that it is an “irreplaceable loss” for every Indian and particularly to the minorities of India.
Dr. Khan said that Dr. Desphande, worked tirelessly and raised her voice whenver the there were attacks on Muslims and Christian minorities who have been at the receiving end of Hindutva violence in recent decades.
Nirmala Desphande also worked for peace between India and Pakistan.
The cremation will be on Friday morning awaiting her sister’s arrival from Pune.
Statements:
Balraj Puri
Balraj Puri, Convenor PUCL J&K State, expressed shock and profound grief over the sudden death of eminent Gandhian leader Nirmala Deshpande. It is a great loss to all the peace loving people in India as well as Pakistan.
Recalling his own long association with the departed soul, Puri recalled that she responded to his invitation to tour the militancy affected and communally divided Doda where her cooperation proved very effective in resting normal relations between communities. Later he arranged her first visit to Kashmir valley and her meetings with all sections of society who warmly received her.Her peace missions to Pakistan, equally evoked popular response, he said.
Balraj Puri
Balraj Puri
Director
Institute of Jammu and Kashmir affairs
Karan Nagar
Jammu-180005
www.humanrightsjournal.com
ALL INDIA MUSLIM MAJLIS-E-MUSHAWARAT
AIMMM Statement on the sad demise of Nirmala Deshpande
New Delhi, 1 May 2008: The All India Muslim Majlis-e Mushawarat (AIMMM) President Dr Zafarul-Islam Khan said here today in a statement that every Indian, in particular those belonging to minority communities, have suffered an irreplaceable loss by the death of the noted Gandhian and celebrated humanist Dr Nirmala Deshpandeji who devoted all her life to serve the downtrodden and marginalised sections of our society. She worked tirelessly and raised her voice whenever the situation demanded to safeguard the interests of the voiceless, especially the Muslim and Christian minorities who have been at the receiving end of Hindutva violence in recent decades. Despite her advanced age and failing health, she was ever-ready to speak, travel, attend conferences and dharnas in any part of the country to save those in trouble.
Dr Khan conveyed his heartfelt condolences to every Indian on this historic loss and hoped that Dr Deshpande’s ideals and memories will keep inspiring us to continue our struggle against the forces of darkness and bigotry which are attacking the roots of secularism and Gandhian values like never before.
Jamaat e Islami Hind:
New Delhi: Maulana Jalaluddin Umri, President of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind expressed deep grief over the death of veteran Gandhian leader Dr Nirmala Deshpande and condoled to her kin.
Maulana Umri said in a press statement issued today, ‘the death of Mrs Nirmala Deshpande is a loss of great Indian tradition of tolerance and fraternity as she was deeply committed to creating a good society based on values of simplicity and decency.’ He further said that she was belonged to the majority community though she was seen respectfully by the minorities of the country as she showed great interest in the issues of monitories and always expressed in support of them.
S Q R Ilyas /
M A Baig
Media, JIH HQ
D-317, Dawat Nagar Abul Fazl Enclave, Jamia Nagar, Okhla, New Delhi-25
www.jamaateislamihind.org
President of India:
The President of India, Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil has been deeply saddened by the passing away of the veteran Gandhian, eminent social worker and Member of Parliament, Kumaris Nirmala Deshpande in New Delhi early this morning.
The President has said from Thiruvananthapuram, where she is currently on a visit to Kerala, that Kumari Nirmala Deshpande was a close personal friend in whose passing away, the nation has lost a person who dedicated her life for bringing people together. She also relentlessly worked for communal harmony as well as peace, amity and understanding in the world.
Smt. Patil has also sent her condolences to the next of kin of the veteran Gandhian.
VP:
Following is the text of Vice President’s condolence message :
“It was a deep sense of sorrow that I received the shocking news of the passing away of Km. Nirmala Deshpande, Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha.
An eminent Gandhian, social worker and a respected public figure, Km. Nirmala Deshpande served the country with distinction. Her immense contributions to the empowerment of women, promotion of communal harmony and towards rural development were undertaken within the framework of Gandhian thought and philosophy.
In this hour of grief, my wife joins me in conveying our heartfelt condolences to the members of the bereaved family.
We pay to the Almighty to give you strength and fortitude to withstand this tragedy”.
PM:
“I was deeply saddened by the news of the sudden passing away of Nirmala Deshpandeji in the early hours of this morning. Nirmalaji was a living Gandhian. She dedicated her life to the cause of the poor, the down-trodden and the marginalized in our society, as a true Gandhian. She was deeply committed to creating a good society based on Gandhian values of simplicity, decency and honesty.
She was a leader of people and she led by example. The peace march she organised in Orissa after the terrible murder of Graham Steins inspired many and symbolized her commitment to human life and secular values. Nirmalaji’s activism saw her going beyond the struggle launched by Acharya Vinoba Bhave for ‘Bhoodan’, to offering Satyagraha for securing the rights of landless labourers who were allotted land.
The Nation had the privilege of honouring her with a Padma Vibhushan and we were also proud to honour her with the Rajiv Gandhi Sadbhavana Award. Her voice was heard with respect by one and all in the Rajya Sabha. Nirmalaji also contributed to peace-building in our region, by going beyond our frontiers to spread Sadbhavana and worked to establish goodwill and peace among neighbours. Her work at the Gandhi Global Peace Centre at Gandhi Ashram in Delhi is testimony to her deep commitment to the ideas and ideals of the Father of our Nation.
I convey my heartfelt condolences to millions of her followers and admirers and hope that her life will continue to inspire young and old alike in our fight against poverty, ignorance and disease and our struggle for a just and equitable society.”
Arjun Singh:
Shri Arjun Singh, Human Resource Development Minister has expressed his deep grief on the sudden demise of renowned Gandhian and social activist Ms. Nirmala Deshpandey. He has said “I am deeply shocked to hear the sudden demise of renowned Gandhian and social Worker Ms. Nirmala Deshpandey. Ms. Deshpandey was a true follower of Mahatma Gandhi. She was dedicated throughout her life to the values and principles of Mahatma Gandhi. She worked for peace, non violence, social justice and upliftment of poor and oppressed class.
Her death has caused irreparable loss to us and we will always remember her. I pray to God to give peace to her soul and she should attain salvation. I also express my heartfelt sympathies.”
V Ravi:
The Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Overseas Indian Affairs, Shri Vayalar Ravi has condoled the passing away of veteran Gandhian Miss Nirmala Deshpande. In his condolence message the Minister said:
“I am deeply shocked to hear the sudden demise of Miss Nirmala Deshpande, a veteran freedom fighter and reputed social worker. She was a true disciple of the father of the Nation and, in fact, put in practice all the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi. She was a symbol of Gandhian values, which she always held closest to her heart.
I pay my respectful homage to the departed soul.”
Murli Deora:
The Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Shri Murli Deora has expressed deep sorrow and grief on the sudden demise of Ms. Nirmala Deshpande a true Gandhian. In his condolence message Shri Deora said that in the death of Nirmalaji country has lost a true champion of humanity who dedicated her life to the cause of the poor, the down-trodden and the marginalized persons in our society. Referring to his association with Late Nirmala Despandeji, Shri Murli Deora said she had an inspiring personality who led by example.
He described her peace march in Orissa after the ghastly murder of Graham Steins and Satyagraha for securing the rights of landless labourers as testimony of her dedication to human life and secular values.
Praying for her Soul to rest in peace, Shri Murli Deora said that her life will continue to inspire one and all to fight against poverty and to work for a society abound with justice and equity.
Lalu Prasad:
The Minister of Railways, Shri Lalu Prasad has expressed deep grief at the sad demise of veteran Gandhian and Rajya Sabha MP Nirmala Deshpande who passed away here this morning.
In his condolence message, Shri Lalu Prasad said that Nirmala Deshpande devoted her life to the cause of the poor and the down trodden. Her work at the Gandhi Global Peace Centre is testimony to her deep commitment to create a good, peaceful and equitable society based on ideas and ideals of the Father of our Nation. She was also known to be a great votary of secularism and communal harmony. Her contribution to the nation will be remembered for long.
Saifuddin Soz:
Prof. Saifuddin Soz, the Union Minister for Water Resources has expressed his grief over the sad demise of veteran Gandhian and Rajya Sabha Member, Km. Nirmala Deshpande here early today.
In his condolence message Prof. Soz, described Km. Deshpande as a crusader for peace and goodwill, who had devoted herself to the cause of the poor and down-trodden. He said that Km. Deshpande worked for the causes dear to her with a missionary zeal and enthusiasm.
Kumari Nirmala Deshpande was a great scholar and prolific writer and also an excellent Parliamentarian.
In her death, India has lost one of her great saviours of poor and downtrodden.
May the departed soul rest in peace.”
Prof. Soz said that she would always be remembered for the work she had done to uphold Gandhian values.
Mahabir Prasad:
Shri Mahabir Prasad, Union Minister for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises has condoled the sad demise of the Gandhian leader and Parliamentarian Kumari Nirmala Deshpande. Following is the text of the condolence message of the Minister:
“ I join millions of our countrymen in condoling the death of Kumari Nirmala Deshpande, a true Grandhian and a great patriot.
Kumari Nirmala Deshpande has been a staunch follower of Gandhian concept of ‘Antyodya’ and ‘Talisman’ which urge that the best form of Government is that which takes care of poorest of the poor. She preached the message of swadeshi and made it popular among the people. Her contribution to Acharya Vinoba Bhave’s Bhoodan Movement, Khadi sector and communal harmony is still fresh in our memory.