Lucknow, April 4. It would not be easy to fill the void created due to sudden demise of a young cultural organiser like Com. Shalini. While working on several fronts at once, the contribution which she made in popularising the progressive and revolutionary literature not only in Lucknow but throughout the country will be unforgettable.
At a condolence meeting organised by 'Janchetna' and 'Rahul Foundation' in memory of Com. Shalini, she was remembered with utmost fondness by the writers, cultural activists, social activists and literature lovers coming from different places including Delhi, Punjab, Mumbai, Allahabad, Patna, Gorakhpur etc apart from the intellectuals and citizens from the city. Besides paying an emotional tribute, a resolve was expressed in the meeting to carry forward the ideals for which Shalini remained committed till the end.
Shalini was battling with pancreatic cancer since last 3 months. It was in the second week of January in Lucknow that she was diagnosed with cancer. She was immediately rushed to Delhi where it was learnt that the cancer is in the fourth stage and she was also suffering from bone metastasis, i.e. the cancerous cells were spreading to her bones as well. Since then she was being treated in Delhi's Dharmshila Cancer Hospital. On 29 March, she passed away in this very hospital. She was only 38 years old.
The secretary of Rahul Foundation, Satyam, said that Com. Shalini's political life had begun at the young age of 20. Apart from participating in the publication and distribution of progressive literature in Gorakhpur, Allahabad and Lucknow, Shalini used to enthusiastically take part in mass campaigns, movements and dharnas and demonstrations etc. Besides the Janchetna book centre, she, along with other comrades also used to go to homes and offices with books and magazines in a bag; she used to tell people about the progressive literature and used to prepare new readers. During her 3 years stay in a commune of young woman comrades in Gorakhpur, Shalini was active on woman front, cultural front and student front. She had taken the decision of working as a full time revolutionary activist way back in 1995 itself.
Even during her work in Allahabad as in-charge of 'Janchetna', she, along with a team of other woman comrades, used to take part in various social and political activities among the students of Allahabad University and youths and citizens of Allahabad city. Several writers and cultural activists remember her even today.
For last one decade or so, Lucknow was her location of work. Along with taking responsibility of the works of the central office of 'Janchetna' and the book outlet. she also used to share the publication related works of 'Parikalpana', 'Rahul Foundation' and 'Anurag Trust'. Besides taking up the responsibility of the activities of the head office of 'Anurag Trust', library, children workshops etc., the dedication and affection with which Com. Shalini served and looked after the veteran chief trustee of the trust, late Com. Kamla Pandey, could only have been done by a true service oriented communist. In 2011 when a decision was taken to build the central library of 'Arvind Memorial Trust' in Lucknow, it was Shalini who took up the main responsibility of its management. She was the president of the 'Janchetna' Books society, member of the board of trustees of 'Anurag Trust', executive member of 'Rahul Foundation' and director of 'Parikalpana Prakashan'. It is noteworthy that along with so many departmental responsibilities, Shalini also used to take part in the general political propaganda and movement related activities as far as possible. She also used to go to the poor's settlements in Lucknow to teach kids from time to time. It was Shalini who used to stand most of the times at the Janchetna stall in Lucknow's Hazratganj which is opened every evening.
Poetess Katyayani remembered her with warm affection and said that while battling with death at every moment, Shalini taught us what it is to be living like a real human being. Till her last days, Shalini used to think about her responsibilities and political and social activities only. She frequently used to give some information or suggestion to comrades over phone. Right from the beginning she used to care about others many more times than about herself. She was well aware that the death was at her doorstep, but the fear of death and disappointment could not even touch her. Her belief in returning to the front of the responsibilities after getting well and her optimism towards this used to give hope to us as well.
Com. Shalini was a young, committed communist organiser. In today's time when many people's faith is wavering, people are doing various sort of compromises, the attack of the bourgeois culture is weakening a substantial portion of young activists, Shalini kept on moving on her path without even subtly getting influenced by all this. After setting her goal of life once, she never compromised or looked back. She did not hesitate to do complete rupture from the familial and property relations for the sake of her ideals. Coming as she was from a usurer, trader and land lord family background, the firmness with which Shalini abandoned her old values and the candour with which she adopted the communist values remains rare and exemplary in today's times.
Rambabu, artist and president of Anurag Trust, Abhinav Sinha, editor of Ahwan, Shalini's friends and her comrades Kavita and Shakambhari who were with her in her last days, Gitika from Janchetna, writer Sushila Puri, Namrata Sachan, A.M. Rizvi from RDSO and others remembered the different aspects of Shalini's personality.
Asha Mishra of Indian Woman Federation said that till her last breath Shalini remained stick to the values and the ideology for which she fought. The ideological understanding and the deep devotion to the work which was visible in Shalini at a young age are rarely found these days.
Some selected condolence messages sent from the intellectuals, writers and activists from different parts of the country were read out on their behalf as per their request. The head of the cultural bureau of the Unified Nepal Communist Party (Maoist), Ninu Chapagain said that the cultural workers of her party express revolutionary solidarity with Janchetna, Anurag Trust and Rahul Foundation as they take up the many responsibilities fulfilled by Comrade Shalini. Her work on many fronts of the cultural struggle will definitely bear fruit for many years to come, through those she inspired, organized, and worked alongside, as well as untold numbers for whom she made revolutionary literature available. Pahal's editor Gyanranjan said that the sacrifice which Shalini made while working on all our ideological fronts remains an example in itself. There is no other example before us in such a tough time. Writer Shivmurti said that in his message that the death of Com. Shalini is an irreparable damage for the struggling common people. I was aware of the different aspects of her personality for a long time. The long poem 'My Last Wish' which she wrote before her death reflects her courageous and revolutionary thoughts and firm willpower.
Kavita Srivastava from PUCL said with revolutionary salute to Shalini, her works, her writings, her thoughts and her courage that Shalini's Blog has been one of the nicest things that could have happened to her. Senior writer and journalist Ajay Singh said that for him Shalni and the Janchetna Book Stall in the carridores of Lucknow's Hazratganj became synonym to each other. Shalini always used to welcome with a subtle and friendly smile and she used to tell about the new and old books and magazines. Sitting on a stool, Shalini's erect posture is imprinted on my conscience, he said. Pragatisheel Vasudha's editor Rajendra Sharma said in his condolence message that Com. Shalini created a wide definition of people's struggle while combating on many fronts at once. Such a sudden demise of an honest comrade like her is a shocking accident. An illuminating pole star has left from our ranks.
Several people including poet Naresh Saxena, Malay, Vijendra, Naresh Chandrakar, Kapilesh Bhoj, writer Subhash Gatade, Dr. Anand Teltumbde, Chandreshwar, Virendra Yadav, Madanmohan, Bhagwanswaroop Katiyar, Pratap Dixit, Shalini Mathur, Shakeel Siddiqui, Girishchandra Srivastava, Ajit Pushkal, Film director Faiza Ahmad Khan, Udbhavna's editor Ajey Kumar, Baya's editor Gaurinath, Sablog's editor Kishan Kaljayi, Samyantar's editor Pankaj Bisht, Janpath's editor Omprakash Mishra, Prof. Chaman Lal, journalist Javed Naqvi, Divya Arya, Dr. Sadanand Shahi, Shamsul Islam, Mumbai's Harsh Thakore, Lokayat's Neeraj Jain from Pune, CCI's Partha Sarkar, secretary of Jan Sanskrit Manch Pranay Krishn, Jales's Pramod Kumar, social activist Ashok Chaudhary, V.R. Raman, Dr. Meena Kala, Mohini Manglik, Hargopal Singh, theatre activist Rajesh and Dr. Sadhna Gupta said in their condolence messages for Com. Shalini that the manner in which she continued the struggle for life while fighting against several odds is a valuable lesson for all the youth, particularly for the women who are moving ahead with the goal of freeing this country from the shackles. Considering the condition of the revolutionary movement, it would not be easy for filling the void created after her demise.
On this occasion a tree was planted in her memory on her ashes.
At a condolence meeting organised by 'Janchetna' and 'Rahul Foundation' in memory of Com. Shalini, she was remembered with utmost fondness by the writers, cultural activists, social activists and literature lovers coming from different places including Delhi, Punjab, Mumbai, Allahabad, Patna, Gorakhpur etc apart from the intellectuals and citizens from the city. Besides paying an emotional tribute, a resolve was expressed in the meeting to carry forward the ideals for which Shalini remained committed till the end. Shalini was battling with pancreatic cancer since last 3 months. It was in the second week of January in Lucknow that she was diagnosed with cancer. She was immediately rushed to Delhi where it was learnt that the cancer is in the fourth stage and she was also suffering from bone metastasis, i.e. the cancerous cells were spreading to her bones as well. Since then she was being treated in Delhi's Dharmshila Cancer Hospital. On 29 March, she passed away in this very hospital. She was only 38 years old.
The secretary of Rahul Foundation, Satyam, said that Com. Shalini's political life had begun at the young age of 20. Apart from participating in the publication and distribution of progressive literature in Gorakhpur, Allahabad and Lucknow, Shalini used to enthusiastically take part in mass campaigns, movements and dharnas and demonstrations etc. Besides the Janchetna book centre, she, along with other comrades also used to go to homes and offices with books and magazines in a bag; she used to tell people about the progressive literature and used to prepare new readers. During her 3 years stay in a commune of young woman comrades in Gorakhpur, Shalini was active on woman front, cultural front and student front. She had taken the decision of working as a full time revolutionary activist way back in 1995 itself.
Even during her work in Allahabad as in-charge of 'Janchetna', she, along with a team of other woman comrades, used to take part in various social and political activities among the students of Allahabad University and youths and citizens of Allahabad city. Several writers and cultural activists remember her even today.
For last one decade or so, Lucknow was her location of work. Along with taking responsibility of the works of the central office of 'Janchetna' and the book outlet. she also used to share the publication related works of 'Parikalpana', 'Rahul Foundation' and 'Anurag Trust'. Besides taking up the responsibility of the activities of the head office of 'Anurag Trust', library, children workshops etc., the dedication and affection with which Com. Shalini served and looked after the veteran chief trustee of the trust, late Com. Kamla Pandey, could only have been done by a true service oriented communist. In 2011 when a decision was taken to build the central library of 'Arvind Memorial Trust' in Lucknow, it was Shalini who took up the main responsibility of its management. She was the president of the 'Janchetna' Books society, member of the board of trustees of 'Anurag Trust', executive member of 'Rahul Foundation' and director of 'Parikalpana Prakashan'. It is noteworthy that along with so many departmental responsibilities, Shalini also used to take part in the general political propaganda and movement related activities as far as possible. She also used to go to the poor's settlements in Lucknow to teach kids from time to time. It was Shalini who used to stand most of the times at the Janchetna stall in Lucknow's Hazratganj which is opened every evening.
Com. Shalini was a young, committed communist organiser. In today's time when many people's faith is wavering, people are doing various sort of compromises, the attack of the bourgeois culture is weakening a substantial portion of young activists, Shalini kept on moving on her path without even subtly getting influenced by all this. After setting her goal of life once, she never compromised or looked back. She did not hesitate to do complete rupture from the familial and property relations for the sake of her ideals. Coming as she was from a usurer, trader and land lord family background, the firmness with which Shalini abandoned her old values and the candour with which she adopted the communist values remains rare and exemplary in today's times.
Rambabu, artist and president of Anurag Trust, Abhinav Sinha, editor of Ahwan, Shalini's friends and her comrades Kavita and Shakambhari who were with her in her last days, Gitika from Janchetna, writer Sushila Puri, Namrata Sachan, A.M. Rizvi from RDSO and others remembered the different aspects of Shalini's personality.
Asha Mishra of Indian Woman Federation said that till her last breath Shalini remained stick to the values and the ideology for which she fought. The ideological understanding and the deep devotion to the work which was visible in Shalini at a young age are rarely found these days.
Some selected condolence messages sent from the intellectuals, writers and activists from different parts of the country were read out on their behalf as per their request. The head of the cultural bureau of the Unified Nepal Communist Party (Maoist), Ninu Chapagain said that the cultural workers of her party express revolutionary solidarity with Janchetna, Anurag Trust and Rahul Foundation as they take up the many responsibilities fulfilled by Comrade Shalini. Her work on many fronts of the cultural struggle will definitely bear fruit for many years to come, through those she inspired, organized, and worked alongside, as well as untold numbers for whom she made revolutionary literature available. Pahal's editor Gyanranjan said that the sacrifice which Shalini made while working on all our ideological fronts remains an example in itself. There is no other example before us in such a tough time. Writer Shivmurti said that in his message that the death of Com. Shalini is an irreparable damage for the struggling common people. I was aware of the different aspects of her personality for a long time. The long poem 'My Last Wish' which she wrote before her death reflects her courageous and revolutionary thoughts and firm willpower.
Kavita Srivastava from PUCL said with revolutionary salute to Shalini, her works, her writings, her thoughts and her courage that Shalini's Blog has been one of the nicest things that could have happened to her. Senior writer and journalist Ajay Singh said that for him Shalni and the Janchetna Book Stall in the carridores of Lucknow's Hazratganj became synonym to each other. Shalini always used to welcome with a subtle and friendly smile and she used to tell about the new and old books and magazines. Sitting on a stool, Shalini's erect posture is imprinted on my conscience, he said. Pragatisheel Vasudha's editor Rajendra Sharma said in his condolence message that Com. Shalini created a wide definition of people's struggle while combating on many fronts at once. Such a sudden demise of an honest comrade like her is a shocking accident. An illuminating pole star has left from our ranks.
Several people including poet Naresh Saxena, Malay, Vijendra, Naresh Chandrakar, Kapilesh Bhoj, writer Subhash Gatade, Dr. Anand Teltumbde, Chandreshwar, Virendra Yadav, Madanmohan, Bhagwanswaroop Katiyar, Pratap Dixit, Shalini Mathur, Shakeel Siddiqui, Girishchandra Srivastava, Ajit Pushkal, Film director Faiza Ahmad Khan, Udbhavna's editor Ajey Kumar, Baya's editor Gaurinath, Sablog's editor Kishan Kaljayi, Samyantar's editor Pankaj Bisht, Janpath's editor Omprakash Mishra, Prof. Chaman Lal, journalist Javed Naqvi, Divya Arya, Dr. Sadanand Shahi, Shamsul Islam, Mumbai's Harsh Thakore, Lokayat's Neeraj Jain from Pune, CCI's Partha Sarkar, secretary of Jan Sanskrit Manch Pranay Krishn, Jales's Pramod Kumar, social activist Ashok Chaudhary, V.R. Raman, Dr. Meena Kala, Mohini Manglik, Hargopal Singh, theatre activist Rajesh and Dr. Sadhna Gupta said in their condolence messages for Com. Shalini that the manner in which she continued the struggle for life while fighting against several odds is a valuable lesson for all the youth, particularly for the women who are moving ahead with the goal of freeing this country from the shackles. Considering the condition of the revolutionary movement, it would not be easy for filling the void created after her demise.
On this occasion a tree was planted in her memory on her ashes.
