Women's Day special: Remembering 10 unsung woman heroes of freedom struggle
“When woman, whom we call abala becomes sabala, all those who are helpless will become powerful.” Mahatma Gandhi said this while addressing a the All India Women's Conference in Dec 1936.He believed that India's salvation
7.Parbati Giri
Parbati Giri, is better known as the Mother Teresa of Western Odisha. A prominent brave heart from Odisha who played a significant role in the Indian Freedom Struggle.
She was was born in Samlaipadar village near Bijepur of the present Bargarh district and undivided Sambalpur district.
Due to her anti-British government activities, she was put behind the bars for two years. Parbati Giri was just 16 when she was in the forefront of agitation following Mahatma Gandhi's “Quit India” call.
Her love for the nation made her serve the countrymen socially after independence. She opened an orphanage at Paikmal village and devoted rest of her life for the welfare of orphans.
8.Velu Nachiyar
Rani Velu Nachiyar was an 18th-century Indian queen from Sivaganga. Shewas the first queen to fight against the British in India.
She become the first revolutionary who opposed the rule of British in Tamil Nadu even before the Sepoy mutiny which is considered as the first war against the British rule in India.
She acknowledged powers to Marudu brothers to rule the country in 1780. Velu Nachiar died a few years later. Marudu brothers are the sons of Udayar Servai.
9.Kanaklata Barua
Kanaklata Barua also known as called 'Birbala' was an Indian freedom fighter from Assam. During the Quit India Movement
Kanaklata joined the Mrityu Bahini, a death squad comprising groups of youth from the Gohpur sub division of Assam.
Kanaklata was shot dead while leading a procession bearing the National Flag during the Quit India Movement.
10.Lakshmi Sahgal ( 1914 - 2012)
Lakshmi Sahgal born as Lakshmi Swaminathan was one of the brave hearts who served a sentence in a Burma prison for her role in the World War II. After serving in the prison she returned to her motherland to enroll herself into the army formed by Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose.
Sahgal is fondly known in India as "Captain Lakshmi."
Sahgal was the revolutionary of the Indian independence movement, an officer of the Indian National Army, and the Minister of Women's Affairs in the Azad Hind government.
She was in charge of establishing and leading the Rani of Jhansi Regiment, comprising women soldiers.