Prof Sharma was deeply involved with the movement against nuclear energy, and with peoples’ movements in several parts of the country-including Hazaribagh, Uttarakhand, and Rewa, where Azadi Bachao Andolan worked to return the control of resources and the environment to the local people. He was also active in the movement against Posco steel plant in Orissa, and the movement resisting the spread of soft drink multinationals in the country.

Prof Sharma was instrumental in the establishment of National Alliance for Peoples Movements and founded the Swaraj Vidyapeeth in Allahabad, which promoted a new and independent pedagogy. The Vidyapeeth also served as a focus for the Jagrit Samaj.

Prof Sharma trained at the University of Paris, where he obtained his DSc degree under Prof Henri Cartan. He returned to teach at Allahabad University where he made important contributions to differential topology. Remarkably, at the same time as he did this important research, he was involved with the anti-emergency movement and was jailed for 19 months.

At the time of his death, Prof Sharma he was in Chandigarh for a political programme, having just completed a series of events in other parts of the country.

CONDOLENCE MEETING PUNE

Condolence Meeting for Prof. Banwarilal Sharma

Date:    Sunday, September 30, 2012
Time:   6.00 pm
Venue: Lokayat Hall, 3rd Floor, opp. Syndicate Bank, Law College Road, Near Nal stop, Pune.