Noted social activist Sulabha Brahme no more

Eminent economist and Left ideologue Sulabha Brahme passed away at her residence here after a brief illness today, according to her family sources.
She was 84.
Born as daughter of acclaimed economist and former deputy chairman of planning commission D R Gadgil and social worker Pramila Gadgil, Brahme founded 'Shankar Brahme Samaj Vidnyan Granthalaya' which became a centre for Left, progressive and secular tendencies in Pune and Maharashtra.
Her involvement in people's movements and issues ranged from economic development to culture and secularism.
She co-founded many platforms to further these causes, including the Lok Vidnyan Sanghatana, Maharashtra Dushkal Nivaran and Nirmulan Mandal,Purogami Mahila Sanghatana, Lokayat, Jagatikikaran Virodhi Kruti Samiti and Bayaja Trust.

Brahme was actively involved in experiments to promote organic and sustainable agriculture in the Konkan area.

She authored more than 50 high quality booklets in Marathi and monographs on these topics to create awareness among people and to educate activists. She maintained close links with all the different shades and strands of progressive people's movements.
After completing her PhD from the Gokhale Institute of Economics and Politics, Pune, she worked there in various capacities such as Reader and Registrar.
During her tenure at the GIPE, she conducted a large number of socially relevant studies including two important reports on the Regional Development Plan for Marathwada and Land Use in Western Maharashtra.

She is survived by her brothers, eminent environmentalist Madhav Gadgil and Purushottam Gadgil, and family members.
She was cremated at Vaikunth crematorium in the evening.