Lifestyle /
Remembering A Legend: Vina Mazumdar
Vina Mazumdar (March 28, 1927 – May 30, 2013) – Academic, Activist, and Pioneer of Women's Right Movement in India.
India bid its last farewell to Dr. Vina Mazumdar, who was an Indian academic. After a brief illness, she passed away at the Delhi hospital on May 30, 2013. She is considered an imminent and a prominent leader of India's women right's movement. Being the secretary in the first Committee on the Status of Women in India, her committee was responsible for releasing the first report that underlined the conditions of women in India entitled Towards Equality (1974). Her credits do not end there. She was also the founding director and National Research Professor of Centre for Women's Development Studies (CWDS).
Mazumdar passed away at the age of eighty-six but was active in the women's right movement even a decade ago. In Vishnu Mathur's documentary, produced by Sparrow in 2003, viewers experienced, vibrant, full of life, and passionate Mazumdar who continues to champion her cause. The documentary is 1:12 hours long and thought-provoking. According to its synopsis, Mazumdar "fondly called herself the grandmother of the women's studies in India."
The Towards Equality report was an important moment for both Women's Studies and Women's movement in India. In the documentary, Mazumdar recalls a moment during the time when her committee was in the process of collecting data and information for the report in Himachal Pradesh when they noticed that there was a glaring difference between middle class and peasant women. Particularly, she informs the viewers that, "there was this kisan (farmer) woman in her village who just stood up and said go and ask the government of Himachal who runs the Himachal economy – men or we(women) – because majority of the men go off to the plains in search of jobs or they go to join the army or the police. We do the work – it is the orchid economy or agricultural – we do all the work. But because of this taboo on our taking up the plough, we have to search desperately for hired labor to engage and sometimes when it becomes difficult, we do use the plough but we lose face in the village…from the educated, urban women – clerks, typists, a few doctors, a few teachers – we couldn't get out – only giggles." She informs that these were the methods that they used to gather this comprehensive report to understand the complexities and nuances of women's situation in India during that time period. Mazumdar was born in Calcutta (present-day Kolkata) to a middle-class family and did Women's Studies at Benares Hindu University and University of Calcutta. She received her D.Phil from Oxford University in 1960. Starting her career as a lecturer, she taught at Patna University and worked for the University Grants Commissions Secretariat in New Delhi as an Education Officer. She was also a fellow at the Indian Institute of Advance Studies, Shimla.
Photo & Source : Cultureunplugged.com
COMMENTS
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
-
How To Host The Perfect South Asian Holiday Dinner
-
ANOKHI's Holiday Gift Guide For Thoughtful Desi Presents For The Home & Beyond
-
Not Into Flu Shots? Try These Centuries-Old Desi Home Remedies Instead!
-
Diwali Gift Guide: Barbie® Diwali Doll & 8 More Unique South Asian Gift Ideas
-
From Turkey To Tadka: Desi-Inspired Thanksgiving Recipes
-
Mommy's Time-Out: How To Reclaim Your Zen After The Back-to-School Scramble
-
Khichdi Cups & 5 South Asian School Lunch Recipes For Busy Desi Parents
-
6 Complaints Desi Grandparents Have About Keeping Pets & How You Can Counter Them
-
Raksha Bandhan Gift Guide: Celebrate The Festival With A Modern Twist!
-
Summer Elixirs: Healthy South Asian Cooling Drink Recipes To Beat The Heat
-
Stay Cool: Build a Summer Garden Oasis At Home With Tulsi & Shade
-
Celebrating International Yoga Day: Find Your Balance Through Chakra Meditation
-
Spice Up Your Summer BBQ With These 5 Mouthwatering South Asian Recipes
-
South Asian Heritage Month: Journey Through Time With 8 Iconic South Asian Travel Destinations
-
How To Add Ancient South Asian Spiritual Cleansing Rituals To Modern Spring Cleaning Techniques
-
Toronto's Living Luxe Design Show Sets a New Standard for Luxury Exhibitions
-
Savouring South Asian Style: Elevate Your Home Decor with Cultural Flair
-
6 Ways To Create Fun Quality Time With Your Kids & Parents That Both Will Love!
-
Celebrating South Asian Literature: Must-Read Books by Female Authors
-
Flavourful Festivities: Traditional Holi Recipes To Spice Up Your Table
-
The Living Luxe Design Show Presented By JennAir Announces Powerhouse Program Of Speakers
-
7 Ways Yoga Will Save Your Mental Health
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Can I Convince My Friend That Her Threatening Boyfriend Is The Problem, Not Me?
-
10 Tips To Manage & Survive Long-Distance Relationships
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: I'm Afraid My Childhood Bully Will Be Back In My Life, What Do I Do?
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Create "Me Time" In My Demanding Life?
-
Hot Spot Alert: Mishree Cocktails & Cuisine Exhilarates With South Asian X Middle Eastern Cuisine
-
BioAro Founder Dr. Anmol Kapoor Wants You To Be The CEO Of Your Health
-
Savour the Holidays With This Paneer Pakora Recipe By KFI Sauces!
-
Here's How To Craft And Achieve Meaningful New Year's Resolutions
-
Snack It Up This Holiday Season with Indian-Inspired Potato Wedges by KFI Sauces
-
Butter Chicken Nachos Recipe By KFI Sauces Is Perfect For Your Holiday Spread
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Tell My Friend She's Taking My Emotional Support For Granted?
-
Anjali Pathak of Patak's Shares Her Favourite Recipes For The Holiday Season
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: Why Does Our Family Get Togethers Always End With A Fight?
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Tell My Sis-In-Law To Stop Intruding In My Daughter's Wedding Plans?
-
Event Alert: The Auric Living Conference Brings Holistic Healing To Toronto
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: I'm On The Outs With My Friend Because I Supported Her Breakup What Do I Do?
-
Event Alert: The Desai Foundation Rings In 10th Anniversary of "Diwali On The Hudson" Gala
-
South Asians & Arthritis: Busting Myths And Sharing Facts About This Disease In Our Community
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Convince My Kids That My Granddaughter's Best Friend Is A Bully?
-
Make Your Brunch Brilliant With This French Buckwheat Crepes & Dosas Recipe!
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Tell My Sis-In-Law That Her Messy Dog Is Not Welcome At My House?
-
You Just Need A Hot Pot To Make This Amazing Masala Style Vegan Tomato Soup
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Tell My Friend To Stop Interrupting Me?
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Trust My Husband After He Cheated On Me?
-
Check Out This Insane Recipe For Mini Masala Idli
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Tell My Brother That His Cottage Rules Ruins All The Fun?
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: What Do I Do When My Fiancé Shares His Dog With His Ex?
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Convince My Partner That Our Six-Year-Old Is To Young For Sleepovers?
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Deal With My Friend Who Always Wants To Start A Fight?
-
Here's Why Paris Calls Tharshan Selvarajah The Best Baguette Baker In The City
