The demise of Shri. Rabi Ray ji, the octogenarian and a socialist leader, not only of Orissa but the Independent India is a sad news in this critical phase faced by all of us. As a great socialist thinker, he has contributed towards imbibing socialist vision and values into our political life. As a speaker of Loksabha he was the one who stood for honesty, integrity, against corruption and communalism, and anti-defection law. He stood by each and every people’s movement that fought for right to land, water, forest, minerals and against displacement to destruction. He supported the struggles as a born struggler who faced the wrath of the State in his younger days and believed in people’s politics throughout his life.
He was a lifelong supporter of Narmada Bachao Andolan and National Alliance of People’s Movements, and founded Lokshakti Abhiyaan and Lohia Academy. He was a consistent promoter of political legacy of freedom movement and took that forward into present movements aspiring for mass based democratic socialist vision. A Lohiaist with an updated reflective analysis and strategies Rabi Ray has had an impact on our social political life that can never be wiped off.
We will continue to be inspired by the message of his life as well as his works and writings.
We salute Saraswatiji Ray, his wife a renowned academician with a social commitment who had a great contribution to the life and service of Rabi Ray till the last moments. We, the people and activists from Narmada Valley and our Saathis from NAPM express heartfelt condolences on his demise and vow to take forward his socialist vision through our struggles.
Medha Patkar and Colleagues, NBA and NAPM
