Geeta Mukherjee (8 January 1924 – 4 March 2000) was an Indian politician and social worker and a four times MLA from Panskura Purba, from 1967 to 1977. As a Member of Parliament, she was elected seven times from the Panskura constituency, from 1980 to 2000, in the Indian state of West Bengal being a Communist Party of India (CPI) candidate.[1] She also remained the president of National Federation of Indian Women, women's wing of Communist Party of India. She led the demand for the legislature of 1/3rd reservation for women in parliamentary elections in India.[2]
Geeta Mukherjee | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha | |
| In office 16 January 1980 – 4 March 2000 | |
| Preceded by | Abha Maiti |
| Succeeded by | Bikram Sarkar |
| Constituency | Panskura |
| Member of West Bengal Legislative Assembly | |
| In office 1967–1977 | |
| Preceded by | Rajani Kanta Pramanik |
| Succeeded by | Swadesh Ranjan Maji |
| Constituency | Panskura Purba |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Geeta Roy Chowdhury 8 January 1924 Calcutta, Bengal Presidency, British India |
| Died | 4 March 2000 (aged 76) New Delhi, India |
| Political party | Communist Party of India |
| Spouse | Biswanath Mukherjee |
| Children | Bhagabat Jana |
| Relatives | Madhumita Jana (Grandchildren) |
| Residence(s) | Flat-12, Block-D, 18, Bow Street,
Calcutta-700012 Bow Bazar, Kolkata |
| Alma mater | University of Calcutta Ashutosh College (B.A.) |
| Profession | Politician, social worker, writer |
Early life and education
editShe was born on 8 January 1924 in Calcutta, West Bengal. She was married to Biswanath Mukherjee on 8 November 1942.[1]
Mukherjee completed Bachelor of Arts In Bengali Literature from Ashutosh College, Calcutta. She remained secretary of Bengal Provincial Students Federation from 1947 to 1951.[2]
Career
editShe was first elected as Member, State Council, Communist Party of India (C.P.I.), Bengal in 1946.[1] Popularly known as Geetadi, Geeta Mukherjee since then won every Lok Sabha election from Panskura in West Bengal, and was in the forefront till her death in 2000.[2]
She was elected to 7th Lok Sabha in 1980 and during 1980–84, she served as
- Member, Committee on Public Undertakings
- Member, Committee on the Welfare of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes
- Member, Joint Committee on Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill, 1980
Since 1981 onwards, she was the Member of National Executive Council, Communist Party of India.[1]
She was elected to her 7th term during the 13th Lok Sabha in 1999.[1] Her career spanned about five and half decades. However, it was her role in the women's reservation issue which brought her into the limelight. She was also a member of the National Commission on Rural Labour, National Commission on Women, National Children's Board, Press Council and vice-president of the National Federation of Women, besides being a secretariat member of the Women's International Democratic Federation, Berlin.[3] She led a Joint Parliamentary Committee which had drafted the Women's Reservation Bill.
Besides her political career, she also wrote a few books for children, including Bharat Upakatha (Folktales of India), Chotoder Rabindranath (Tagore for Children)and He Atit Katha Kao; and translated Bruno Apitz's 1958 classic Naked Among Wolves to Bengali.[2][4]
Death
editMukherjee died on 4 March 2000, following a massive heart-attack. Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the then Prime Minister of India, told in his condolence message— "Mrs. Mukherjee embodied determination and dedication. She was a shining example of women's empowerment. Her life shall remain an inspiration for future generations, especially women."[2]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e "Biographical Sketch Member of Parliament 13th Lok Sabha". Archived from the original on 8 March 2014. Retrieved 8 March 2014.
- ^ a b c d e "Geeta Mukherjee passes away". The Hindu. 5 March 2000. Archived from the original on 8 March 2014. Retrieved 8 March 2014.
- ^ "Geeta Mukherjee-Committed to the cause". Archived from the original on 8 March 2014. Retrieved 8 March 2014.
- ^ "A committed fighter". The Hindu, Frontline. 18–31 March 2000. Retrieved 10 March 2014.