Check out 16 Return-To-Work Programs In India For Ambitious Women Like You!
Captain Lakshmi Sahgal led the Rani of Jhansi regiment of the INA; an inspiring woman who played an incredible part in the Indian freedom movement.
Captain Lakshmi Sahgal
At a time (the 1930s and 40s) when Indian women rarely stepped outside the home or their role as homemakers, Lakshmi Sahgal (nee Lakshmi Swaminadhan) had bigger plans. Born to a progressive family in Madras, she trained as a doctor, and was leading an independent life as a practicing gynecologist and obstetrician in Singapore.
Fate had bigger plans with her, and when the British forces in then ‘Malaya’ were routed, and the Indian National Army formed with the support of the Japanese, she was gradually drawn into the movement. Not surprising, considering that her family had always had strong nationalist leanings and were active Congress and Gandhi supporters.
Once Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose took the INA in hand and moulded it into a fighting force, she played a key role, leadings its women’s regiment. Through the rest of the war, she was active in the movement, and her role included managing the hospitals that the INA set up in Burma and Malaysia to help those wounded.
She was among the many INA members arrested by the British at the end of the war (since they were on the ‘wrong side’), though she was not eventually sentenced. Till the end of her life, Captain Lakshmi was actively engaged in civil society and continued her work as a doctor almost till the last years of her life.
Why we find her inspiring:
– Because fearlessness was her middle name, and she spoke her mind with courage and candour
– Because she was among the founding members of AIDWA, the women’s wing of the Communist Party of India
– Because she took a keen interest in the challenges facing Indian society, and in doing so, defined patriotism rather than jingoism
– Because she did not let age deter her and continued working well into her eighties
Suggested reading:
An interview with Captain Sahgal
An account of her days in the INA
Women's Web is a vibrant community for Indian women, an authentic space for us to be ourselves and talk about all things that matter to us. Follow us via the read more...
Stay updated with our Weekly Newsletter or Daily Summary - or both!
People say that women are the greatest enemies of women. I vehemently disagree. It is the patriarchal mindset that makes women believe in the wrong ideology.
The entire world celebrates International Women’s Day on March 8, 2024. It should be a joyful day, but unfortunately, not all women are entitled to this privilege, as violence against women is at its peak. The experience of oppression pushes many women to choose freedom. As far as patriotism is concerned, feminism is not a cup of tea in this society.
What happens when a woman decides to stand up for herself? Does this world easily accept the decisions of women in this society? What inspires them to be free of the clutches of the oppression that women have faced for ages? Most of the time, women do not get the chance to decide for themselves. Their lives are always at the mercy of someone, which can be their parents, siblings, husband, or children.
In some cases, women do not feel the need to make any decisions. They are taught to obey the patriarchal system, which makes them believe that they are right. In my family, I was never taught to make decisions on my own. It was always my parents who bought dresses and all that I needed.
It is shameful that in today's world too, women are abused and even killed for giving birth to a girl, and the infant's life is also of no value.
Trigger Warning: This deals with domestic violence, suicide, and violence against women, and may be triggering to survivors.
I am so glad that the esteemed courts are now giving the much-required verdicts regarding certain ideologies that were not at all entertained earlier. I mean we all have studied this much biology at our school level and it is our duty (our generation) to educate our elders about it.
Why someone have to lose a life to bring such awareness to the society. Delhi High Court gave this judgement concerning a case that filed by the deceased daughter’s parents against her in-laws. She committed suicide as she was harassed and tortured for dowry and giving birth to two daughters.
Please enter your email address