Committed, courageous, prolific writer who brought to fore Phule-Ambedkar legacy

By Vibhuti Patel*
We salute Dr Gail Omvedt for her revolutionary spirit.
Dr Gail Omvedt, committed and courageous, prolific writer and powerful social scientists who brought to the fore Phule-Ambedkar legacy in the context of rising social movements in the post emergency period is no more.
Gail's close association with grass-roots movements of rural women, farmers, forest dwellers and women-headed households and her involvement in the newly formed women's rights movement during late 1970s, were captured in her engaging and inspiring first person account in her book, 'We Shall Smash this Prison'.
During 1970s, 1980s and 1990s we worked together in several padyatras, rallies, national conferences, gatherings in rural and tribal areas, travelled together to attend conference in Nandurbar, shared rooms in seminars and conferences which gave us opportunity to engage in lively discussions political economy of caste-class-ethnic issues determining women's predicaments, property rights of tribal and rural women, need for rural-urban solidarity and support.

She attended and spoke in (her own style of) Marathi all meetings of the united front of women's liberation movement in Maharashtra along with her mother-in-law, veteran feminist Comrade Indutai Patankar.
She had a caring mother-in-law, renowned feminist in her own right in Indutai Patankar. Our heartfelt condolences to Gail' loving companion Dr Bharat Patankar and affectionate daughter, Prachi Patankar.
Dear Gail, you are with us through our writings and fond memories. Salute to your revolutionary spirit.
---
*Economist, feminist, formerly at the Tata Institute of Social Science Research (TISS), Mumbai

Neville Cardus: The man who turned cricket writing into poetry

By Harsh Thakor* Neville Cardus was one of the most remarkable literary figures of the twentieth century. A prolific English writer and critic, he achieved distinction in two vastly different fields: cricket and classical music. Entirely self-taught, Cardus rose from humble beginnings to become both the cricket correspondent and chief music critic of The Manchester Guardian . His achievements in these contrasting disciplines earned him widespread acclaim and established him as one of the foremost critics of his generation. In February 2025, the cricketing and literary world marked the fiftieth anniversary of his death, which occurred in February 1975.

Ideological shifts and structural realities within India's left-wing insurgency

By Harsh Thakor* The Maoist insurgency in India is arguably at its weakest point since the formation of the Communist Party of India (Maoist) in 2004. Years of sustained counterinsurgency operations, leadership losses, shrinking territorial influence, declining recruitment, and growing technological advantages enjoyed by the state have significantly eroded the movement's operational capabilities.

The Dalit body on screen: Stereotypes, sacrifice, and subjugation in Hindi films

By Dr. Prem Singh* Despite centuries of reformist efforts, from Gandhi and Ambedkar to contemporary activists, the caste system remains deeply embedded in the Indian psyche. One of the primary reasons for this persistence is the religious sanction provided by Brahminical scriptures, which have shaped not only social structures but also cultural and artistic expressions.

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