 Thirty-sixth President of AIWC Dr. Aparna Basu A Woman of Many Splendid Parts

Roshni  April-June 2022

By Dr Manju Kak, MIC-National Integration and Communal Harmony

Ijoined All India Women’s Conference through Aparna di in 1997, so in a sense she was my mentor. She preferred to be called just Aparna, or Dr. Basu. In a way it signified just who she was, a remarkably democratic person at heart for whom neither age, wealth or degrees enhanced a person in her eyes, only merit and the inherent qualities within. She was extremely courteous to all, and friendly by disposition, be it a staff member, or anyone else. Considering her noteworthy achievements, she had not a trace of arrogance or superiority, qualities that she could have easily embraced when one notices her prestigious family background, her personal academic achievements, or her reputation as a public figure. But above all one can sum up Aparna di with the words— She was a Women who Cared! She cared deeply about everything she did, and as a result brought sincerity and honour to any post or job that she held. Rather, it can be said the post was enhanced by her personality. Born in October, 1931, into a Gujarati family of social and political reformers, Aparna imbibed the aura of her father Shri Ganganvihari Mehta's illustrious life as a public servant. He was Member of the Constituent Assembly, Member of the First Planning Commission and esteemed Ambassador to USA. But there was an earthiness there too, for the Mehta family were community leaders and entrepreneurs, who under Gandhiji's spell had plunged into movements of Harijan Seva, Swadeshi, and village upliftment. Social work was in a sense in Aparna's blood. No less noteworthy was her maternal side's contribution to social reform, be it through the Prathana Samaj in Bhavnagar state where the family had been Dewans for generations, or the role model of her grandmother Smt. Vidyagauri Mehta, who became President of AIWC in 1933. Aparna's mother Saudamini too became President of AIWC Calcutta in 1947, and of Harijan Sevak Samaj of Bengal. Coming from a lineage of enlightened administrators and liberal reformers, who campaigned for the abolition of child marriage, giving land to tillers etc., bred in Aparna a unique combination of intellect and empathy.

Aparna spoke such fluent Bengali that sometimes people mistook her for one. Her own marriage was into an upper class Bengali bhadralok family of Kolkata where her father-in-law was a prestigious ICS officer, and her husband Shri Prahlad Basu, a technocrat and economist with the Government of India.

Though she held a prestigious Ph.D. from Cambridge University, UK, for Aparna, no work was beneath her. She could be chairing a prestigious seminar one day, or editing a humble text for a fellow volunteer the next. She was a Professor and Head of Department of History, Delhi University, who had specialized in Modern Indian History

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Roshni  April-June 2022

and among other high academic posts, had been UGC Convenor for the National Subject Panel on History and Archaeology. But this did not deter her from taking on humble tasks, be it a newsletter or editing a brochure. When I, as a Treasurer AIWC, initiated the History Panels to be put up in the AIWC foyer-corridor she took me to task over the sentence construction. "Send it to me," she said, which I promptly did and she edited the text swiftly and returned it without fuss. It was one of the last things she did for AIWC before her death in September 2018 at the age of 88.

I remember her last phone call to me quite well. Her husband Prahlad was admitted to Apollo Hospital. " I'm so worried Manju, so afraid," she said, little knowing a few weeks later she herself would breathe her last after a short illness leaving Prahlad and her two daughters Anuradha and Priya and their families behind.

Age or infirmity did not debar Aparna from an energetic routine to the very end-- writing books and articles, presenting papers, executing projects, administration of trusts. Her Chairmanship of the Gandhi Peace Foundation (2013 onwards) saw her promoting and reflecting upon Gandhian legacy and philosophy through theme based exhibitions and texts.

Education was her first love. She taught, wrote, researched Women’s Studies and Rights. Prof. Basu was on the Editorial Advisory Board of Gender and History, Indian Economic and Social History Review, Indian Journal of Gender Studies and Women’s History. As an author her books espoused a scrutiny of feminist issues and history, education and biographies. "Women's Struggle—History of the AIWC 1927-2016" which she co-authored with Dr. Bharati Ray to document India's feminist movement, was well received. She was Chairperson of the AIWC Public Charitable Trust for Education, and Chairperson of All India Committee for the Eradication of Illiteracy amongst Women which she spearheaded, and which established her work not just in the elite corridors of Research and Scholarship but at the very grass roots. A large number of under- privileged women and girls were given assistance to complete their education and enter gainful employment. This was also manifest in her work done at the All India Women’s Conference (AIWC) where she was elected President during 2002-2004 and later Patron. She was also on the governing body of Indraprastha College of the Delhi University and Trustee of Sarabhai Foundation in Ahmedabad.

Her acute mind and sharp, expert eyes were cast on every detail so that whatever responsibility she took upon herself was executed with exemplary efficiency. Her involvement in the exhibition on "The Millworkers' Strike in Ahmedabad in 1918, " hosted by the Sarabhai Foundation highlighted her socialist sensibilities.

Along with humility and efficiency, Dr Basu taught us the art of management. For Aparna delegated. She would encourage and promote talent. She cast a fair eye on all, gave opportunities, and used her managerial qualities to promote unity from her fellow members. She never sought to divide or sow discord, gossip or run people down or create lobbies. She was remarkably outspoken in her criticism if she found something wasn’t right. She'd tick you off, in an effort to groom you to be a Team Player. No place for individual aggrandizement or self promotion she'd say.

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Her leadership was not insecure in style. She encouraged and promoted all alike, and sent members to attend national and international conferences freely. If you gave her an idea that she liked, she would support you to the hilt. It was under her Presidentship that I could undertake the prestigious project, " Whose Media—a Women's Space." There was much to learn from Aparna, much she was able to share. Though she never lectured, you had to observe her and learn by the example she set. If there was a fault it was that she was too kindhearted.As a stalwart of theWomen’s' Movement of her time, Aparna di created a legacy and passed it on. May she live in our memories as a teacher, mentor, guide, social worker and author.

Dr. Aparna Basu Dr. Basu with Smt. Sheila Dikshit, Chief Minister, Delhi

Dr. Basu with Dr. Sushma Swaraj at the launch of her book “Women’s Struggle” in 2002

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Roshni  April-June 2022

Dr. Aparna Basu and Dr. Manorama Bawa with Dr. Ravi Shankar Prasad in 2002 Dr. Basu with Smt. Bina Jain at the Shahdara creche in 2002

Dr. Basu inaugurating a workshop organised by Ujjawal Women’s Association, East Delhi; July 2003 At PEPSEWA, Singapore May 2004, with Smt. Sheela Kakde

Dr. Basu with her husband and family

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