Agro-economist
The veteran Agro-economist, prolific journalist and stalwart farmer leader, Sharad Anantrao Joshi (81) passed away in Pune, Maharashtra. He was the founder of Shetakari Sanghtana (farmers’ Organisation), an NGO dedicated to the cause of farmers in Maharashtra. He was also the member of the Rajya Sabha during the period 2004 and 2010. Mr. Joshi was the only MP in Rajya Sabha to vote against the bill providing 33% reservation for women in Indian parliament and assemblies. He argued that it was much preferable to make women strong electorally first through the entire Panchayat Raj system before partial reservations were introduced at the Centre and State levels.