The article begins with the significance of 13th February, which marks the birth anniversary of Sarojini Naidu, a prominent figure in Indian history, fondly known as Bharatiya Kokila or the Nightingale of India. This day is celebrated as National Women’s Day in her honour. But what makes her so special? Let’s delve into her life and contributions.
About Sarojini Naidu
Sarojini Naidu was born on February 13, 1879, in Hyderabad, India. She was a distinguished poet, politician and an independence activist who played a major role in the Indian freedom struggle. In response to the partition of Bengal in 1905, she joined the Indian national movement. She was held in high regard by British government too and was awarded the ‘Kaisar-i-Hind’ Medal for her service during the plague epidemic in India.
Naidu’s Contribution to Indian Freedom Movement
Naidu emerged as a frontline leader during the Indian freedom movement. She created history by becoming the first Indian woman president of the Indian National Congress (INC) in 1925 at the Kanpur Session. Notably, while Annie Besant was the first woman president of the INC, she was of British origin.
Naidu actively participated in the Non-Cooperation Movement launched by Mahatma Gandhi in 1920 and faced multiple arrests due to her involvement in freedom struggles. She led the Salt Satyagraha, a significant nonviolent protest against the British monopoly on salt production, in 1930.
Furthermore, during the “Quit India” movement in 1942, Naidu was arrested and jailed for 21 months along with Gandhiji. She also travelled extensively to countries like the United States and the United Kingdom to garner international support for India’s fight for independence and to raise awareness about women’s rights.
Naidu’s Noteworthy Career as a Politician
Her political acumen was evident when she accompanied Mahatma Gandhi to London for the second Round Table Conference for Indian–British cooperation in 1931. After India attained independence, Naidu created history once again by becoming the first woman Governor of Uttar Pradesh.
Other Significant Contributions
Naidu also left an indelible mark in the world of literature. She was a profound poetess and wrote in both English and Urdu. ‘In the Bazaars of Hyderabad’, published in 1912, is one of her most popular poems. Other notable works include “The Golden Threshold (1905)”, “The Bird of Time (1912)”, and “The Broken Wing (1912)”.
Apart from this, Naidu was a strong advocate for women’s empowerment in India. She was associated with the All-India Women’s Conference and made relentless efforts to uplift the status of women in India.
She breathed her last on March 2, 1949, in Lucknow, India.
Sarojini Naidu: The Enduring Legacy
Sarojini Naidu was an extraordinary personality with diverse talents. She continues to be an inspiration for women not only in India but across the globe. Her courage, leadership skill, and unwavering commitment towards the freedom struggle has inspired several generations.
For more insights into Sarojini Naidu’s life and contributions, refer to the infographic available here. The UPSC Civil Services Examination Previous Year Question (PYQ) section provides intriguing questions related to her. Answering such questions can provide a deeper understanding of Naidu’s life and achievements. As per the source from ET, questions based on her literary work and INC presidency have been previously asked and answered correctly.
