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Captain Lakshmi Sahgal: Officer Of The Indian National Army

Written By: Sonali
October 24, 2020
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2020 marks the 106th birth anniversary of Lakshmi Sahgal, the ardent freedom fighter and a social activist who served in Subhash Chandra Bose’s Indian National Army (INA). ‘Captain Lakshmi’, as she was fondly called, dedicated her life to public service in various capacities — as the commander of the all-woman regiment in the Indian National Army; as a medical practitioner serving among the poor and the marginalised; and as a member of the Communist Party of India (Marxist).

Sahgal was unequivocally committed to the ideals of socialism, anti-imperialism, equality, secularism, social justice, women empowerment, and adhered to them in her professional and personal life.

Lakshmi Swaminathan, popular as Capt. Lakshmi Sahgal was born on 24 October 1914 to Ammu Swaminathan, a social worker and Dr. S. Swaminathan, noted lawyer in Chennai. A Padma Vibhushan awardee in the year 1998 was a significant voice of Indian women’s movement prior to the Independence and later as well, carefully drawing a line between politics and activism on women’s issues. She worked as a medical practitioner in Singapore after completing her medical education from Madras Medical College in 1938. 

Her meeting with Subash Chandra Bose in Singapore changed a lot for her. However, she had seen him in meetings and programmes when she had accompanied her mother in her early childhood days. While talking about her days in the Indian National Army, she narrates about her unwillingness to be a part of the recruitment drive of doctors into the (British Indian) Army post Second World War and therefore, she chose to go to Singapore in 1940 to pursue her medical practice.

“The Japanese forces attacked Singapore on December 8, 1941. Rashbehari Bose, who was a veteran freedom fighter, had come with the Japanese. He started the India Independence League. All Indians were expected to join the League. It was helpful because we got our ration cards, and Indian property was not treated as enemy property, and Indians were not recruited forcibly. I joined the League but could only do welfare work and underground broadcasts.” – Lakshmi Sahgal in My days in the Indian National Army.

On 8 July 1943, Sahgal had started recruiting other women into INA. Soon a regiment of 1500 women trained as soldiers was ready. In the Provisional government of Azad Hindi formed by Bose, Sehgal was appointed as a minister and handed over the portfolio of Women’s Affairs and Rani of Jhansi Regiment. Subash Bose was equally overwhelmed to find a woman to lead the regiment.

In the post-Independence era, Sahgal resumed her medical practice in Kanpur. She worked among the refugees of post-Partition India. During the Bangladesh war of 1971, she travelled to Calcutta (as it was known then) and worked in the border areas of Bongaon for six weeks, providing medical help to the displaced and the migrants.

She joined CPM in 1971 and remained an active member till the end of her life. Sahgal was the founding member of the All India Democratic Women’s Association, which was formed in 1981. The organisation became a suitable platform for her to raise women’s issues consistently and embark on several campaigns for the same. She became the joint candidate for the Left parties in the presidential elections of 2002 and ran against A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. Although she lost the election, she spent a number of days traversing the length and breadth of the country, addressing a number of rallies.

She died of a cardiac arrest causing a brain stroke on 23 July 2012 in Kanpur at the age of 97 after suffering from a prolonged sickness. In her final rites, tributes were paid by political leaders from various parties, activists, communists, school children as well as students from colleges and universities amid revolutionary slogans. 

Across generations, people admire her, and women especially such is her aura and contribution in public and social affairs. Some lives are born to make a difference and such was the figure of our beloved Lakshmi Sahgal who lived for others’ celebrating life, happiness, freedom and Nation.

Sonali

A 'non-9-5 desk job' ambivert geek who chooses her own audience, Sonali loves sharing stories and finding the corners where humanity still exists! She believes that every individual's story is unique and special. She loves writing about the untouched and unspoken segments of society. When not writing, you can find her listening to someone's stories or playing with dogs. Sonali values mental health and encourages people to speak their heart out!

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National Sports Day: Famous Para-Athlete Champions Taking India To The Internationals!

Written By: Sonali
August 29, 2020 | 11:22 AM |
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They say a woman can do anything! Yes, from glorifying in different fields to taking the country to the international level, they are doing everything. Even when life hits them hard, they do not back off!

On the occasion of National Sports Day, here’s a tribute and a sincere thank you to some of those path-breaking female para-athlete champions who have glorified India in the world of para-sports.

Deepa Malik

Source

An international para-athlete from Haryana, Deepa was diagnosed with a spinal tumour in 1999. She went through three surgeries and with 183 stitches in her shoulder blades for 14 years, Deepa was left paralysed from the waist down.

She became the first Indian woman to win a medal in the Paralympic Games in 2016. An Arjuna awardee, she is currently the world number one in the F-53 category and the only Indian female para-athlete to win medals in three consecutive Asian Para Games (2010, 2014, 2018).

Participation & Achievements 

  • National and State level medals – 51 Gold, 5 Silver, 2 Bronze
  • International medals – 23
  • Holds An Official IPC Asian Record In Javelin F-53 Category – Felicitated by Milkha Singh and P.T.Usha
  • Holds All Three National Records In Throws [Discus, Javelin, Shot-put] In F-53 Category
  • Holds All Three National Records In S-1 Swimming Category [Back Stroke, Breast Stroke, Free Style]
  • President Role Model Award
  • Arjuna Award
  • Haryana Karambhoomi Award
  • Padmashri Award
  • Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award
  • Karamaveer Chakra award

Karamjyoti Dalal

Source

An international para-athlete from Haryana, Karamjyoti fell from the terrace, which affected her motor sensation.

Currently a coach at Department of Sports and Youth Affairs, Haryana, she was a kabaddi player before her accident. 

Participation & Achievements 

  • Two Bronze medals at Asian Games, 2014
  • Ranked as world no. 8 at Asian Games 2014
  • Bronze Medal at World Para-Athletic Championship, 2014
  • Gold Medal at Fazaa Grand Prix, 2017

Manasi Joshi

Source

An international para-badminton player from Mumbai, Manasi lost her leg in an accident in 2011.

A software engineer based out of Gujarat, she created history by clinching gold at the BWF Para-Badminton World Championships in 2019.

Participation & Achievements Asian Para Games, 2018

  • Silver medal at BWF Para-Badminton World Championships, 2015
  • Bronze medal at BWF Para-Badminton World Championships, 2017
  • Bronze medal at Asian Para-Badminton Championship, 2016
  • Bronze medal at Para-Badminton International Women’s singles, 2018
  • Bronze medal at Asian Para Games, 2018
  • Gold medal at BWF Para-Badminton World Championships, 2019

Ekta Bhyan

Source

An international para-athlete from Haryana, Ekta met with a road accident damaging her spinal cord in 2003.

She made a record by winning gold at the Asian Para Games in 2018. She also earned one gold and one bronze at the World Para Athletics Grand Prix, 2019.

Participation & Achievements 

  • Silver medal at IPC Grand Prix, 2016
  • Gold medal at National Para Athletics Championships, 2016
  • Two Gold medals at National Para Athletics Championships, 2017
  • Gold medal at Asian Para Games, 2018
  • Gold medal at IPC Grand Prix, 2018
  • Bronze medal at IPC Grand Prix, 2018
  • Two Gold medals at National Para Athletics Championships, 2018
  • Bronze medal at National Para Athletics Championships, 2018
  • National Award for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, 2018
  • State Award by Honourable Governor of Haryana, 2018
  • ESPN Athlete of the Year (Para Athlete), 2018

Jennitha Anto

Source

A Woman International Master from Tamil Nadu, Jennitha caught polio at age three. 

She is a six-time champion of the World Chess Championship for the Physically Disabled conducted by IPCA, consecutively from 2013 to 2017 & 2019.

Participation & Achievements 

  • Gold medal at Asian Para Games, 2018
  • Two Silver medals at Asian Para Games, 2018
  • Bronze medal at Asian Para Games, 2018

Parul Parmar

Source

An international para-badminton player from Gujarat, Parul was afflicted by Poliomyelitis at a young age.

She is a three-time world champion, ranked world number one in para-badminton women’s singles SL3 and was awarded the Arjuna Award in 2009 by the Government of India and Eklavya Award by the Government of Gujarat.

Participation & Achievements 

  • Bronze medal at Asian Para Games, 2010
  • Silver medal at Asian Para Games, 2014
  • Gold medal at Asian Para Games, 2014
  • Gold medal at BWF Para-Badminton World Championships, 2015
  • Gold medal at BWF Para-Badminton World Championships, 2015
  • Gold medal at Asian Para Games, 2018
  • Gold medal at Para-Badminton International Women’s singles, 2018

August 29 is observed as the National Sports Day in India in the memory of Major Dhyan Chand, the renowned hockey player who won gold medals in Olympics for India.

Participation & Achievements Details

femaleinspirationpara athletesportswomen

Sonali

A 'non-9-5 desk job' ambivert geek who chooses her own audience, Sonali loves sharing stories and finding the corners where humanity still exists! She believes that every individual's story is unique and special. She loves writing about the untouched and unspoken segments of society. When not writing, you can find her listening to someone's stories or playing with dogs. Sonali values mental health and encourages people to speak their heart out!

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