She also took active part in the historic and militant working class movement in Bombay in solidarity with the historic Naval Mutiny in 1946.

The statement noted that, Com. Vimaldi, as she is affectionately called by comrades and friends, was married in 1939 to late Com. B.T. Ranadive, a stalwart of the communist movement in India. Together they worked for over 50 years in the revolutionary movement. She shared all the difficulties of underground life and imprisonment. She spent altogether over five yars in jail.

During 1970 Com. Vimaldi became the general secretary of the All India Plantation Workers’ Federation. She became a member of the CITU general council in 1973. She was elected as secretary of CITU in 1977. When the CITU took the initiative in organising the working women , Com. Vimaldi took up the responsibility of steering the All India Working Women’s Coordination Committee as its convenor. Due to her persevering efforts, the All India Federation of Anganwadi Workers and helpers had been built as the leading organisation of ICDS work-force. She was the founder general secretary and later president of the Anganwadi Federation till last conference.

She joined the undivided Communist Party of India in 1942 and later the Communist Party of India (Marxist). She was elected to the central committee of the CPI(M) in 1988, in which capacity she served until death and set a shining example of a foremost communist woman leader of the country.

Com. Vimal Ranadive was after the president of the All India Plantation Workers’ Federation. She was the editor of the The Voice of the working women and also the Kamkaji Mahila, the Hindi bi-monthly. She also served the All India Democratic Women’s Association as its vice-president till recently.

Com. Vimaldi had visited the People’s Republic of China as part of the CITU delegation to the All China Trade Union Federation. Com. Vimal Ranadive is survived by her son Uday Ranadive.

Paying homage to Com. Vimal Ranadive the CITU pledged to carry forward the tasks for which she dedicated her entire life. The CITU secretariat and the staff at the CITU centre have conved their heartfelt condolence to the bereaved family members.

The Central Executive Committee of Students’ Federation of India has also expressed its deep condolences on the demise of veteran communist leader and All India secretary of CITU Comrade Vimala Ranadive. While offering its condolences to the left movement of the country and to the family members the SFI pays its homage to the memory of Com. Vimal Ranadive.