Here we talk about that I know as a part of our college curriculum. Women that are hardly known or talked about. I say this because I was one of them who said ‘ who’s that?'. I think our history books were not that informative enough after all (a very good reason to not like history ;) ). When we talk about different women and their contribution for the independence of India the most common names that pop up in my head are Rani Lakshmi Bai, Kasturba Gandhi, Sarojini Naidu, and that's it. My list ends up here. So like I said as a part of my college curriculum we were to study about different women who made a huge contribution for Freedom of India.
The contribution of daughters of India during the freedom struggle to liberate Mother India from the chains of slavery to the building of modern India is so immense etching their names in the pages of history for ages. Two such prominent names are, Hansa Mehta and Durgabai Deshmukh.
While Hansa Mehta played an important role in drafting the constitution of India as well as pressing for gender equality in the Universal declaration of Human Rights by the United Nations, Durgabai Deshmukh devoted her entire life as a volunteer to the service of the country.
It was the efforts of Hansa Mehta that the United Nations finally recognised the Declaration of rights of Men as the Universal declaration of Human Rights. She was a normal women from Gujarat who got the text of Article 1 changed from “ All men are born free and equal...” to “ All humans are born free and equal”. That is why she is called the first lady of the world for her contribution to human rights. She is also a reformist, social activist, an educator, feminist, and a writer. She wrote books such as The Prince of Ayodhya, Ayotiyin Ilavarasan. She was among those who stood behind Jawaharlal Nehru and Dr. Rajendra Prasad to mark the moment of Indian's freedom from British Rule. On behalf of women of India she represented the national flag to the president and said “ We have donned the saffron colour, we have fought, suffered and sacrificed in the cause of our nation's freedom. We have attained our goal today. In presenting this symbol of our freedom, we once more offer our services to the nation”.
On the other hand, Durgabai became famous among the people as the ‘Joan of Arc’ for her wonderful oratory, courageous instincts and determined personality and inspired crores of Indians with her immortal contribution. She was an Indian freedom fighter, lawyer, social worker and politician. She was one of the 15 women in the 299-member constituent assembly, who studied law to help the wrongly convicted.
There's alot to talk about these women, but I think we missed the chance of knowing them. But one thing that we know for sure is that the brave women of India have never been behind men in any field at any point in time. History of India is filled with indomitable courage, valor and achievements. These women and their contribution have been exceptional, and as a women myself I pledge to continue the league.
