Remembering Sociologist 'Gail Omvedt' through her books

While researching and participating in the protests of the working classes, and farmers, Gail met Bharat Patankar. Bharat was an activist himself, and also the son of activists Indumati and Krantivir Babuji Patankar. Gail had worked with Bharat's parents during the protests. They married in 1976.

Together they continued fighting for the rights of the communities in rural India particularly in Maharashtra. They started Shramik Mukti Dal (Toilers’ Liberation League), and sparked mass movements against caste and class injustices in Rural India. The organisation highlighted the issues of farmers, drought-hit villages, dam-displaced communities, working conditions and wages.

In 1983, she gave up her American Citizenship and became an Indian citizen.

For decades, Gail continued their activism while still documenting the lives of several prominent caste movement figures. Beyond caste, she wrote about women movement. She launched campaigns for victims of domestic violence or women abandoned by their husbands and families. In addition, she worked for the betterment of women in Sangli and Satara.

With her writing, and activism, She was also on the board of institutes like Savitribai Phule Pune University, Nordic Institute of Asian Studies and Indira Gandhi Open University. She was associated with the UNDP as a consultant on various issues.

For those who read about caste, anti-caste movements, women rights, identity politics, then, Gail Omvedt one of the people to thank.

I have always believed literature around politics like caste or women rights never becomes part of general discourses. More often, big publication houses with their lavish marketing budget take over bookshelves. That's exactly when, it becomes the responsibility of those who have read authors like Gail Omvedt, to actively talk about her continuously, passionately.

As most beautiful or even perfect stories have to end, the brilliant life of Gail also ended on 24th August 2021. The news of her demise was confirmed by her daughter; Prachi Patankar.

While the world strives towards ‘development’ through bullet trains, metros, high-rise apartments, it becomes even more essential to ensure that no one is left behind. Gail Omvedt might have passed away in peace, but her pioneering scholarship remains for everyone to read.

I will say it again, it somehow becomes our responsibility as a reader to have conversations on topics on significant social importance like Caste, and Women Rights.