NEW DELHI, May 1: Gandhian peace activist Nirmala Deshpande, known to her countless friends in Pakistan and elsewhere as

Didi, elder sister, died in her sleep early on Thursday. She was 79.

“Nirmala Didi was a dedicated peace activist who worked selflessly for good relations between Pakistan and India,” Pakistan’s High Commissioner Shahid Malik said in a condolence message. A wreath on his behalf was displayed most prominently at the coffin where dignitaries led by President Pratibha Patil paid their respects.

Even at the worst of times, for example when Pakistan’s acting High Commissioner Jalil Abbas Jilani too was asked to leave New Delhi in the worsening tit-for-tat expulsions after the December 2001 attack on Indian parliament, Ms Deshpande stood out by becoming the one Indian dignitary who still held his hand even as he packed his belongings.The gesture had brought tears to Mr Jilani’s eyes.

To some of her fans though she often came across as a bundle of contradictions, working on diverse canvasses like Aung San Suu Kyi’s pro-democracy platform or demanding reprieve for Afzal Guru, the convicted Kashmiri death-row inmate at Tihar Jail. On the other hand, she had supported Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s emergency rule.

Later this week, Ms Deshpande was due to fly to Nepal at the invitation of Maoist leader Prachanda and his other senior colleagues, her personal assistant Shivnath Ram told Dawn. He said there were calls from the office of President Pervez Musharraf, with whom Ms Deshpande had a good rapport, to convey his condolences to the family and friends.

“She died in her sleep very peacefully, without causing anyone any trouble. That was the way she lived too,” Mr Ram said.

US Ambassador David Mulford expressed grief. In a statement, he said: “She was a great friend of the United States and represented the best of her country and the natural bond of friendship and respect between our two nations. She held high the flame of Mahatma Gandhi’s vision of peace, freedom and equality throughout her life. We will remember her with affection and respect.”

Many an ordinary Pakistani would remember her best as an impromptu “visa officer”, as she used her influence with Indian officials to get stranded guests out of difficulties and also, on occasions, getting them bonus permission to visit the Ajmer shrine to sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti.

Others would miss her 24-hour hospitality with an open house and vegetarian snacks.

Condolences: In a condolence message to her family, Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani expressed grief and sorrow over the death of Ms Deshpande.

He prayed that her soul may rest in peace and members of the bereaved family be granted fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

The prime minister nominated Information Minister Sherry Rehman to represent the government of Pakistan at her funeral in New Delhi on Friday.

MQM leader Altaf Hussain also expressed sorrow over the death of the senior member of Indian parliament.

In a statement, Mr Hussain said that services and role of Ms Deshpande for friendship and better relations between India and Pakistan were unforgettable.