Pramila Pandhe, a veteran leader of the All India Democratic Women’s Association (AIDWA) passed away on October 31, 2021 after battling prolonged illness. AIDWA organized a memorial meeting to pay tributes to Pramiladi on November 20 at the Surjeet Bhawan in New Delhi.
Malini Bhattacharya presided over the meeting. Mariam Dhawale placed the condolence resolution. This condolence resolution outlined her participation in the freedom movement, leadership in the student organization, work amongst working women and her important role in building AIDWA, running its central office and coordination with the states. It was distributed to all who had gathered to pay their respects to Pramiladi.
The speakers spoke of their experiences while working with Pramiladi. She was a very determined women. She faced many personal tragedies in her life but never wavered in completing the tasks assigned to her by the Party and organization. She had immense courage and strength. Her valuable experience in the freedom movement and later in the working class movement helped in guiding the AIDWA in its formative days.
She was a good singer and also acted in short plays. Her acting role as the then PM Manmohan Singh in one of the March 8 plays was remembered, bringing pleasant memories alive.
She always had a smiling face. She cared about cadres and inquired after their well-being. Her simplicity was very charming. Her family members recalled calling her ‘Delhi Ajji’ and her role in being a strong pillar of support to all of them.
Brinda Karat, Subhashini Ali, Sudha Sundarraman, Indu Agnihotri, Tapasi Praharaj, Sandhya Shaily, Deepti Bharti (NFIW), Sonali Sharma (granddaughter), Pushp Raj (grandnephew) addressed the memorial meeting.