Sarojini Naidu

Sarojini Naidu

News: On 13th February, birth anniversary of Sarojini Naidu was celebrated. She is known as Nightingale of India. Her Birth anniversary is also celebrated as National Women’s Day.

About:
 Born on February 13, 1879, in Hyderabad, India. Sarojini Naidu was an Independence activist, poet and politician.
 She joined the Indian national movement in the wake of partition of Bengal in 1905.
 The British government lauded Sarojini Naidu with the ‘Kaisar-i-Hind’ Medal for her service during the plague epidemic in India.

What was her role in Freedom movement?
 She was elected as the first Indian woman president of the Indian National Congress(INC) in 1925(Kanpur Session).
 She participated in the Non-Cooperation Movement launched by Gandhi in 1920 and was arrested several times for her involvement in various freedom activities.
 In 1930, she was selected by Gandhi to lead the Salt Satyagraha movement. On May 21, Sarojini Naidu led 2,500 marchers on the Dharasana Salt Works.
 She was arrested for her involvement in Quit India movement.
 Naidu traveled to different countries, to raise awareness about India's struggle for independence and to mobilize international support. She also represented India at various international forums and spoke about the Indian independence movement and women's rights.
 She accompanied Gandhiji to London during second session of the Round Table Conference.

Other significant contribution:
 Post Indian Independence, Naidu was appointed as the governor of Uttar Pradesh, becoming the first woman to hold a governor's office in India.
 Important works - 'The Golden Threshold (1905)', 'The Bird of Time (1912)', and 'The Broken Wing (1912)'.
 ‘’In the Bazaars of Hyderabad’’ is one of her popular poems.
 She was a strong advocate of women’s rights.