Gandhians Remember the Legacy of Late Nirmala DeshpandeyFriday, 1 May 2009, 3:14 p.m.

Smt. Nirmala Deshpandey (17 October, 1929 –  1 May 2008)/File Photo

Dharamshala:
Eminent Gandhians, including Kalon Tripa Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche and
Narendra Bhai, today paid their tributes to the late Shrimati Nirmala
Deshpandey, a renowned Gandhian, social worker and a long time
supporter of non-violent Tibetan struggle, who passed away at the age
of 79 on 1 May last year. Nirmala, popularly called “Didi” was
born in 1929 in Nagpur. She joined Vinoba Bhave’s Bhoodan Movement and
participated in a number of padyatras (rallies). She was a nominated
member of the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of the Indian Parliament.Followers
of Mahatma Gandhi and officials of the Central Tibetan Administration,
who are attending a three-day camp on ‘Hind Swaraj’, joined the modest
function to observe the late Nirmala’s first death anniversary at the
headquarter of the Central Tibetan Administration in Dharamshala.In
his address, Kalon Tripa Prof Samdhong Rinpoche said late Nirmala
Deshpandey played an inspirational role in making possible the contact
and talks between the envoys of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the
Chinese leadership, which started in 2002.If Shrimati Nirmala
is alive today, the proposed visit of His Holiness the Dalai Lama for a
pilgrimage to China could have materialised, Kalon Tripa said.Kalon
Tripa offered his deep respect and condolences to the late Nirmala on
behalf of the Tibetan people and the Central Tibetan Administration.Kalon
Tripa then recounted how he first came into contact with Nirmala
through her father while he was working on his book on “Untold Story of
Buddha” in early 1970s.

Kalon Tripa Prof Samdhong Rinpoche and Kalon Kesang Yangkyi Takla join  Gandhians to offer prayers for late Nirmala Deshpandy on her first death  anniversary at the DIIR on 1 May 2009/Photo: Sangkey Kyap/tibet.net

Kalon
Tripa said late Nirmala steadfastly associated herself with the just
cause of Tibet and took part in Tibet yatra (March) from Delhi to
Gangtok and Kalimpong. She actively joined other Indian friends of
Tibet to approach all foreign embassies based in Delhi to present the
issue of Tibet to get their necessary considerations and help.Kalon
Tripa said she is also a devout follower of His Holiness the Dalai Lama
and attended his teachings, especially the Kalachakara initiation which
was held in the south India state of Karnataka. In the evening,
she wholeheartedly practiced what His Holiness the Dalai Lama had
taught during the discourse, Kalon Tripa added.According to her
last wish, the remains of the late Nirmala Desh Pandey’s was brought to
Dharamshala last year. The Tibetans in Dharamshala organised a prayer
gathering to offer their condolences and gratitude for her unstinting
support for Tibet, Kalon Tripa said.Extolling the virtues and
services rendered by late Nirmala Deshpandey during her lifetime, noted
speakers underlined the need to carry forward her legacy.  They also
offered their condolences to her family members who attended the
function.