Indutai Khanolkar, mother of Medha Patkar, passes away

Indutai Khanolkar, wife of trade unionist and freedom fighter late Vasant Khanolkar died of heart attack on Wednesday night in Chembur.

Indutai who had an inter-caste marriage way back in the 50s is survived by a daughter - social activist Medha Patkar and a son Mahesh Khanolkar, an architect.

Indutai, post her retirement as a gazetted officer in Post and Telegraphs, had dedicated her life for social service. She was the General Secretary of Subhash Nagar Education Society which runs junior college for the poor. She was also founder of Chembur branch of 'Swadhar', a women's organization which is mainly supporting the local poor girls with the help of sponsorship in their education, fighting atrocities committed against women, offering counselling and legal aid to women.

Her commitment for social work was intact almost till her last breath. She stopped going to office only four months back. She got herself associated with Rashtra Seva Dal a youngster, followed socialist ideology and became a close friend and colleague of late Mrinaltai Gore, former MP.

Indutai was strongly against superstition, favoured women's empowerment and supported various social movements especially the Narmada Bachao Andolan and the Ghar Bachao Ghar Banao Andolan.

Her corpse was wrapped by the flags of Narmada Bachao Andolan and the last rites were performed on Thursday.