WOMEN'S LIBERATION IN INDIA 53 -with a mass base among women) began to express itself in the context of a ' broad women's movement. And along with the focus on toiling women was the explicit recognition of the connection of the women's movement with the working class and all oppressed sections, a recognition that while perhaps women needed a separate organization, their needs could be achieved only through revolutionary social change and the establishment of a socialist society. The conference did not create a solidified organization. A kind of ^communications committee" was formed to exchange information about work going on in a variety of places. The aim from the very beginning had been not to build an organization but to give thrust and direction to a movement. Most of those attending seemed to feel that in some significant way this had been achieved. There was a new voice of women that was beginning to be heard in the speeches of both labourers and students. In contrast with the peace dove (women's symbol of IWY) and rolling-pin (of the Anti-price rise-Front,) the badge of the conference was the clenched fist with the slogan ^Unity ^indabad^ that had become the mark of the largest organized section of women, the Shahada tribal labourers. And a new burst of creative energy among young women and men found expression in poems and poster exhibitions and the new songs of the conference. These songs were sung not only by the tribal labourers but also by young housewives and workers from Bombay who were beginning to realize that their struggle was a fundamental one and that it was bound up with the total movement for the liberation of society. While the building of a women's organization and movement lay ahead, the real objectives were not lost even in the rhymes and rhythms of poetry: Hear us, 0 hear us, The age of oppression will be over now. Mother Ganga, mother Jamuna will not have to meet the sea; No girl, no mother will have any fear of men. The age of oppression will be over now: On the earth the toilers will not be bound in chains, And each woman will have the right to work alongside of men. Hear us, 0 hear us, The age of oppression will be over now. * See People's Democracy, 30 January 1972; 29 April 1973; 19 January 1975; and interviews. fl See for instance the coverage of women and the photograph of volunteers at the Vijayawada session in Mew Age dated 9 February 1975. From the beginning of IWY the CPI-led Indian Committee for International Women^s Year has been working closely with the government-led National Committee for International Women's Year; see almost any issue of New Age, especially that dated 23 February 1975. 8 New Age, 26 January 1975. 4 New Age, 16 December 1973.