Simdega: Jharkhand’s former minister and two-time MLA from the Simdega Assembly constituency, Vimla Pradhan, is being remembered in the region following her death. She breathed her last at a hospital in Ranchi on the night of September 18. She was 69.
Political, social and religious figures expressed condolences following her death.
Vimla Pradhan won the Simdega Assembly election twice on a BJP ticket, in 2009 and 2014. She represented the constituency in the Assembly from 2009 to 2019. During her tenure as an MLA, she also held portfolios including Social Welfare, Women and Child Development and Tourism in the Jharkhand government. In 2017, she received the Outstanding MLA Award.
Initiative to bring electricity to Kersai, Kurdeg and Bolba
Basic facilities in rural areas were also among the issues associated with Vimla Pradhan’s political career. During the Raghubar Das government, she took initiatives at the departmental and government levels regarding electrification in several villages across the Kersai, Kurdeg and Bolba blocks of Simdega.
Several villages in these areas had remained without electricity for a long period. Her role in efforts to bring electricity to these areas is remembered locally. Expansion of basic facilities in rural areas remained one of the notable aspects associated with her political tenure.
Active in social and religious activities alongside politics
Vimla Pradhan had started her public life through social work. Even after entering politics, she remained associated with social and religious activities. She was involved in various social, religious and cultural activities in the region, including those connected with Ramrekha Dham. She was also interested in promoting sports and youth activities.
Following her death, leaders from different political parties, social organisations and local residents paid tribute to her in Simdega. She was given a state funeral on September 20.
Although Vimla Pradhan did not return to the Assembly after 2019, her public life included around a decade of representation of Simdega, and her work and association with the region continue to be remembered.
