Well-known social activist Anandini Thakoor passed away on Wednesday aged 95. There were several lives she shaped and gave true credence to activism. Where there is a will, there is a way, and where there is a cause, Thakoor would not be far away.
Zoru Bhathena, activist, said, “Thakoor was always willing to listen and understand your point of view. In a world where patience and attention spans are short, this is very significant. She would also eventually agree when she found the arguments were valid.” Overall, Bhathena claimed, “Hats off to this lady. A tall leader in the activism space, all the accolades and admiration are well-deserved as she could get things done.”
Anandini Thakoor took up several green causes. File pic
Aditi Jayakar Kane, Shivaji Park resident, said, “I admired Thakoorji’s tenacity. She stayed the course and cause. She would actually go to a particular site, ascertain facts so that she had an actual, factual understanding of what she was opposing because of the flaws in our system. When one is fighting against a system, one is against mighty powers.”
“Several times, people lose steam halfway, simply too enervated to continue the fight. Yet, the fiery lady stayed and fought on for months, years, decades. I talk for many when I say we deeply admired her resilience and unwavering commitment to social causes right till the very end. She was a towering personality and served as a remarkable bridge between the public and political leadership,” concluded Kane.
Timely support
Fiery was the word for teacher Aftab Siddique, too, who recalled how Thakoor touched her life in different ways. Siddique recalled, “When I decided to get into social work, I joined H West Federation, which was chaired by another activist, Shyama Kulkarni. The monthly meetings were always held at the Khar Library run by Anandini Thakoorji.”
Dr Cheryl Misquitta with Anandini Thakoor. Pic/By Special Arrangement
Siddique said Thakoorji stood by her, “I have a political family background. When I entered social activism, many Federation members did not welcome me, or were sceptical, even suspicious about whether I really meant to serve society. Thakoorji and Kulkarniji welcomed me.” Siddique reminisced, “When I organised a protest years ago in the H West ward, she led the silent protest. Late at night, there was a heavy police bandobast outside both our houses as a political group wanted to attack us!”
To serve was her aim, and her actions proved it, explained Siddique. “During several elections, she kept the library compound space open, organising and arranging so that voters were not misled, helping people find their names in the voters’ list. Several times when politicians or bureaucrats tried to mislead her against me, she stood up for me. Her timely support and belief helped me, too, in the various causes that I raised against different agencies in our system. Overall, I can say she was a strong woman and a source of encouragement, especially for youngsters,” he said.
Evergreen energy
Bandra Gymkhana President Dr Cheryl Misquitta stated, “If she believed in a cause, whatever it may be, she took it up.” Misquitta, like most, applauded Thakoor’s energy and that is why I call her an evergreen mentor. I recall, she and I were once invited to a wedding in South Mumbai and were in a car commuting together from the Western suburbs to the venue. On that long drive, she told me fascinating anecdotes about several Mumbai buildings and stories about city landmarks. I realised that Maximum City was in her lifeblood. She showed by example that one should never demand respect, always command it.”
