New Delhi: The Lok Sabha today paid tributes to Rajya Sabha member and veteran Gandhian Nirmala Deshpande who died here on Thursday.

Making an obituary reference, Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee said Deshpande had dedicated more than 60 years of her life working relentlessly for promotion of communal harmony and in selfless service for women, tribals and the underprivileged.

Affectionately called "didi", Deshpande joined the Bhoodan Land reform movement in 1952 marking the beginning of her tryst with social work.

Her simple life, indefatigable zeal, energy and enthusiasm endeared her to all those who came in touch with her, Chatterjee said.

Deshpande, whose efforts at bringing peace and tranquility in the sub-continent were widely appreciated, was a receipient of several awards including the nation s second highest civilian honour, the Padma Vibhushan .

She was first nominated to the Rajya Sabha in 1997 and again in 2004.

Deshpande died here on May one at the age of 79. The members stood in silence for a short while in the memory of the departed soul.
Source : PTI