Brinda Karat is a known face in the national political scenario as the fiery representative in the women's movement in India, through sheer hard work and commitment in the decades that she has been part of it. Though born in an aristocratic family, from her student days she became interested in the leftist ideology. In her student days it was quite natural, since the Leftist rebellions were being perceived in different parts of the world. It was this juncture of history that mad her interested in the communist ideologies and made her a fierce communist and feminist. She is at present the General Secretary All India Democratic Women Association and has been in this position for the past the years. The All India Democratic Women's Association (AIDWA), I a left organization, being the largest in India with 8 million members. It is in the role of the General Secretary of AIDWA from 1993 to 2004, she initiated struggles based on issues like water, land rights, trade union demands etc. Apart from this, she has also worked on the trade union front with the Centre for Indian Trade Unions (CITU). Witnessing her dedication and endeavor she was elected to the Politburo of the CPI(M) in April 2005, as the first woman to be so honored in the history of the Communist Party of India (Marxist). She is at present an honorable member of the Rajya Sabha from West Bengal.
By nature she is a very lively personality and is sensitive to the popular concerns, irrespective of class, sex, caste or creed. It has been found time and again, that she has the unique ability to establish rapport across class and region, and her quality for remembrance is endearing to all. In her personal life she is married to Sri Prakash Karat, the General; Secretary of the CPI(M). in the recent times, she has written a wonderful book on the women's movement in India titled, Survival and Emancipation, Notes From Indian Women's Struggles.
