In 1972, Kamaltai actively supported formation of Maharashtra State level Stree Mukti Andolam Sangharsh Samiti (Women’s Liberation Struggle Committee). She began to be known as a staunch Lohiaite. She had to face marital abuse a few years after marriage but bore it courageously and came out of her suffering by plunging into work for others working with Baburao Samant. All of us knew the history of activism of Kamaltai and her resilience and courage. Aa Gale Lag Jaa is 1994 Hindi language movie directed by Hamid Ali Khan and starring Jugal Hansraj, Urmila Matondkar, Paresh Rawal, Ashok Saraf, Ranjeet, Reema Lagoo, Raza Murad, Arjun and Gulshan Grover. Mrinaltai and Kamaltai had also taken up issues of water supply in newly formed suburns in North Mumbai and both were popularly known as ‘Handewali Bai” and “Paniwali Bai”. Kamaltai was always at the forefront of struggle against price-rise, hoarding, black marketing and corruption. As a college girl, I was highly impressed by her egalitarian ethos, courage of conviction, work ethics, Spartan lifestyle and her commitment to labour standards. I first met Kamaltai in 1974, when she visited Vadodara along with Mrinaltai Gore, Ahalyatai Rangnekar, Manjutai Gandhi and Taratai Reddy to form Vadodara branch of Anti Price Rise Women's Committee. A big void has been created in terms of leadership. With her passing away one could say an entire generation of pioneers of the women’s movement who were committed to the cause of working women have left us orphaned. An Activist Fondly Known as Handewali Bai: Kamaltai Desai (16-12-1921 to 20-2-2018) By Vibhuti Patel It seems strange sitting in the local train from Govandi to Andheri and writing homage to Kamaltai Desai.
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