The First generation feminist- Snehlata Bhoopal

 On 26th October, 2016, there  was a memorial service organised for Snehlatha Bhoopal who passed away on 19th of this month by her daughter Anuradha Reddy.Snehlata was the first feminist I met when I came to Hyderabad and we developed a very close bond and shared many things in common.She was a very witty and humorous person.When my husband would be on his long tours I  remember her taking my kids and me  to her farm which she managed herself and my kids who were young used to have a good time going around and spending the whole day out there in the midst of cattle and nature while we discussed women's issues and many other things under the sun.Snehlatha would for weddings wear very expensive sarees Kanjeevaram silk, south silks and wear white sports shoes with it ( Mind you this was the early 80's).She would tell us for we were much younger those days just try these and you will forget your high heels. You do not know how men have fooled you to wear such uncomfortable Sandles. I could never agree with her then. She introduced me to the women working at the grass roots in Hyderabad and would translate all the discussions taking place in Telugu so that I could follow.I attended many conferences organised by Malladi Subbamma along with her. I met her for the first time when she came to the University in connection with the with  dowry death campaigns.We worked together to organise a Streemela Conference in early 80's and had a series of meeting planning this.She helped me meet all the women during the Anti arrack movement.In her youth she was a good player of tennis and very forward looking.She had fought the feudalistic structures of her family.The last meeting we had was during the organising of the Women's World Congress  for she was  slowly withdrawing from a very active life. Her wit and humour  was very much  intact and we had a great time reconnecting.Snehlatha you will always be missed.They no longer make feminists like you now, one  who was a good mix of the traditional and the modern.You will always remain in my heart.