RIP Sharad Joshi: 7 things the veteran farmer activist will be remembered for

Sharad Anantrao Joshi, credited for spearheading path-breaking protests for farmers rights in India, passed away on 12 December in Pune.

The 80-year-old dedicated over three decades of his life to the cause. Here's a look at Joshi's efforts to enhance living and working conditions for those in the agricultural sector.

1. In 1979, he floated the Shetkari Sanghatana, a non-political union of farmers formed with an aim to provide "freedom of access to markets and technology".

Sharad Joshi passed away. The leader who changed d dynamic of farmer's movement. Inspired a generation of activists. My salute!

- nikhil wagle (@waglenikhil) December 12, 2015

2. He was the member of Advisory Board of the World Agricultural Forum (WAF), the foremost global agricultural platform that initiates dialogue between those who can impact agriculture.

3. Joshi is also the of leader of Kisan Coordination Committee (KCC), which includes sister organisations from 14 states - Maharashtra, Karnataka, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Orissa, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala.

4. He led a number of agitations for remunerative prices of crops, against hike in electricity tariffs, for liquidation of rural debts and against state dumping in domestic markets.

Watch- https://t.co/2M5TP70kqgRIP Sharad Joshi - An era! pic.twitter.com/RgJd7XAaN7

- Raju Parulekar (@rajuparulekar) December 12, 2015

5. In 1997, Joshi founded the Swatantra Bharat Paksh party. The party is allied with the BJP and is in favour of a separate Vidharbha state. Joshi was also a Rajya Sabha MP from Maharashtra from July 2004 to July 2010. He was the only MP in the Upper House who was against the bill seeking 33 per cent reservations for women in Parliament and state Assemblies.

Sharad Joshi brought farmers' issues into mainstream politics. Best tribute to him wud be to dedicate ourselves to continue his fight. RIP

- Preeti Sharma Menon (@aapkipreeti) December 12, 2015

6. He also founded the largest organisation of rural women Shetkari Mahila Aghadi (SMA) celebrated for its work for women's property rights notably for the Lakshmi Mukti programme that has conferred land titles on lakhs of rural housewives.

7. He was a columnist for leading dailies like The Times of India, Business India, and Lokmat. Joshi also authored books on agricultural issues.