The Active Nonviolence Education Center (ANEC) is deeply saddened by the melancholy news about the passing away of Nirmala Deshpande - a noted Gandhian and a member of  Rajya Sabha at the age of 79 on Thursday, 1 May 2008.

Nirmala  Deshpande was a steadfast follower of Mahatma Gandhi with an ever undeviating conviction in the principle of truth and nonviolence. She had also been a staunch supporter of the Tibet issue for many years and a sincere admirer of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

All of us at the ANEC would hereby like to share the grief of Nirmala Deshpande’s tremendous loss and pray for eternal peace and rest for her departed soul.

We also take this opportunity to extend our heartfelt sympathy and condolences to the bereaved family of late Nirmala Deshpande.

Tenpa C. Samkhar

Executive Director –ANEC

(Former CTA Health Secretary)