A+| A| A-
Vina Mazumdar: Architect of an Era
Many have written about this most unusual person who left such an imprint on many of us and on many institutions. She taught me to be a scholar-activist and develop an undying concern for women’s rights. I first met her when I joined the Research Centre for Women’s Studies at SNDT Women’s University, Mumbai in 1975. My first reading of the Indian situation in gender was, of course, the famous “Towards Equality” report which became our “Bible”. To make the report accessible to many she brought out a small booklet Critical Issues for Women: Education, Health and Employment.
Many have written about this most unusual person who left such an imprint on many of us and on many institutions. She taught me to be a scholar-activist and develop an undying concern for women’s rights. I first met her when I joined the Research Centre for Women’s Studies at SNDT Women’s University, Mumbai in 1975. My first reading of the Indian situation in gender was, of course, the famous “Towards Equality” report which became our “Bible”. To make the report accessible to many she brought out a small booklet Critical Issues for Women: Education, Health and Employment. Ironically, these remain critical issues even today.
As a member of the advisory committee of the SNDT Centre, she took part in all our deliberations. I first met Vina-di in person in this committee. I was impressed from day one with her forceful arguments. In those days though she smoked, she had not cut her hair. She was unmindful of such trivialities because her personality overrode them.