Dr. Gail Omvedt, committed and courageous, prolific writer and a powerful social scientist who brought to the fore Phule and Ambedkar’s legacy in the context of rising social movements in the post emergency period is no more. Gail’s close association with the grass-root movements of rural women — farmers, forest dwellers and women headed households — and her involvement in the newly formed women’s rights movement during the late 1970s were captured in an engaging and inspiring first person account in her book, We Shall Smash this Prison.
During the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s, we worked together in several padyatras, rallies, national conferences and gatherings in rural and tribal areas. We travelled together to attend conferences in Nandurbar, shared rooms in seminars and conferences. It gave us the opportunity to engage in lively discussions about the political economy of caste-class-ethnic issues determining women’s predicaments, property rights of tribal and rural women and the need for rural-urban solidarity and support. She attended and spoke in Marathi (in her own style) in all the meetings of the united front of women’s liberation movement in Maharashtra along with her mother-in-law, a veteran feminist comrade, Indutai Patankar.
Our heartfelt condolences to Gail’ loving companion Comrade Dr. Bharat Patankar and affectionate daughter, Prachi Patankar.
Dear Gail, you are with us through our writings and fond memories. Salute to your revolutionary spirit.
