Centre of Indian Trade Union (CITU) pays respectful homage to Comrade Sarojini Balanandan, senior leader of the women’s movement in Kerala and former state President of Kerala State Committee and all India Vice President of AIDWA. She passed away on 29 August 2023 at Kochi. She was 86.
Married to veteran trade union leader and former President of CITU, comrade E Balanandan, she joined the movement in 60s in Kerala. She had to face personal hardships as the wife of the trade union leader who had to spend his life in jail and underground.
As part of the women’s movement she led many struggles and faced police atrocities. She faced police lathicharge and was hospitalized for a week and then jailed during emergency for participating in a worker’s struggle.
She had served as the Panchayat President in Kalamassery, Eranakulam District and as the chairperson of social welfare board, Kerala.
CITU expresses profound grief at her demise and conveys condolences to her family members and comrades.