Mrinal Gore, veteran socialist, passes away
17 Jul 2012
Mrinal Gore, former member of Parliament and the last of the socialist leaders of the country, passed away on Tuesday. 'Mrinaltai', 84, breathed her last at a hospital in Vasai, in Thane district of Maharashtra.
An icon of socialist politics who led by principles and acted on conviction, Mrinal Gore led an austere life till her end.
She left a career in medicine half way to fight for Samyukta Maharashtra Movement and the liberation of Goa and never looked back, nor did she yearn for power or privileges in all her 60 years of political life.
She was elected to Parliament on a Janata Party ticket in 1977, after being in jail for 13 months during the Emergency for organising morchas, dharnas, picketing and public fastings to protest against the suspension of democracy.
Gore was offered the health portfolio when Morarji Desai headed the Janata Party government at the centre. But she refused to join government saying she would rather work for the rights of the poor.
Along with veteran communist Ahilyabai Rangnekar and socialist Pramila Dadavate, Mrinal Gore inspired many a young mind and struck awe even among top politicians.
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