Madhu Limaye’s birth centenary celebration at Constitution Club, New Delhi
30th April 2023, New Delhi: The Birth Centenary celebration of Madhu Limaye, one of the well-known socialist icons, an outstanding parliamentarian and a friend of Tibet was held in New Delhi on 30th April 2023.
The celebration program was attended by a host of leaders from different political parties, eminent public intellectuals, socialist activists, friends of Madhu Limaye and the general public.
Tibetan representatives from India Tibet Coordination Office (ITCO) and Samyeling Tibetan Settlement of Majnukatilla and Bodh Vihar were also present at the celebration.
Dr. Anand Kumar, President, India Tibet Friendship Society (ITFS) who was one of the organizing members addressed the members at the celebration. Senior socialist activists and friends of Madhu Limaye were felicitated at the celebration.
On the same day, the 15th Memorial Day program of Padma Vibhushan Dr. Nirmala Deshpande, a noted social activist, a former parliamentarian and an ardent Tibet supporter was observed at M. P. Club in New Delhi.
Tibetan representatives from ITCO and Samyeling Tibetan Settlement of Majnukatilla and Bodh Vihar attended the program and the members paid tribute to the portrait of Dr. Nirmala Deshpande.
On this occasion, 7 pioneer women from the field of social work, education, culture and health were felicitated with Dr Nirmala Deshpande Smriti Nari Samman 2023. Among them was Kalon Gyari Dolma of the Department of Security, CTA.
Akhil Bharat Rachnatmak Samaj, a global federation of Gandhian organisations founded by Dr. Nirmala Deshpande has organised the program.
15th Memorial Day program of Padma Vibhushan Dr. Nirmala Deshpande at M. P. Club, South Avenue, New Delhi
Brief bio of Madhu Limaye and Dr. Nirmala Deshpande
Madhu Limaye (1 May 1922 – 8 January 1995) was a well-known socialist icon who contributed to the Socialist Movement for over 50 years from 1940 till the end of his illustrious life. A follower of Ram Manohar Lohia and a fellow traveller of George Fernandes, who was a friend of Tibet and an ardent Tibet supporter. He was an outstanding parliamentarian being elected to Lok Sabha from Bihar in 1963, ’67, ’74 and ’77. He was an exemplary socialist who personified simplicity, honesty and courage of conviction.
Nirmala Deshpande (17 October 1929 – 1 May 2008) was a noted Indian social activist who embraced Gandhi and philosophy. She devoted her adult life to the promotion of communal harmony and service to women, tribal people, and the dispossessed in India. She was a nominated member of Rajya Sabha two times from August 1997- August 1999 and from 24 June 2004 to 2010. She was awarded Padma Vibhushan, the second-highest civilian award in India in 2006. She was a member of the Rajya Sabha, when she died in her sleep in the early hours of 1 May 2008, in New Delhi at the age of 79.
Dr. Anand Kumar, President, India Tibet Friendship Society addressing the celebration.
