A Tribute to Gandhian Leader Nirmala Deshpande

An era comes to an end with the death of Gandhian leader Nirmala Deshpande. She died at the age of 79. She was an eminent freedom fighter and social worker. Nirmala Deshpande shot into fame in 1952, when she walked with Vinoba Bhave in the 'Bhoodan' (land distribution) movement. After that, there was no looking back.

Nirmala Deshpade kept raising her voices on various social issues. A few months back, she made a sensational statement that a "friend" of Maoists (Naxalites), but denounced violence in all forms. She, however, hailed the Naxalites saying they were "fighting for the rights of these people".

Nirmala Deshpande worked hard for the empowerment of women, promotion of communal harmony and rural development. She always served the country with distinction. Nirmala Deshpande was perhaps the last leader to promote Gandhian values of simplicity, decency and honesty. Her death created a vacuum in Indian social sector.

President Pratibha Patil, Vice President Hamid Ansari, PM Manmohan Singh, UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee and may other top leaders have condoled Nirmala Deshpande's death.