illuminatidinesh
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KANPUR: The 'tigress' of Azad Hind Fauj and veteran leader of the Communist Party of India-Marxist, Captain Lakshmi Sahgal breathed her last at a private hospital in the city on Monday. She was 97. She is survived by daughters Subhashini Ali and Anisa Puri, her grandchildren Shaad Ali, Neha and Nishant Puri and sister Mrinalini Sarabhai.
Sahgal suffered cardiac arrest on the morning of July 19, which was followed by a brain stroke from which she could never recover. She breathed her last at around 11.20 a.m. on Monday morning. As per her wishes, Lakshmi would not be cremated instead her eyes and body would be donated to the medical collage.
Her colleague Manavati Arya, who was a member of the India Independence League and later joined the INA in an administrative capacity, despite her illness and old age visited the hospital on a wheel-chair to pay her respect to the departed soul.
Manavati recalled that despite being the commander of the regiment and a cabinet minister, Lakshmi was never bossy or authoritarian. She was always friendly and affectionate towards all the women soldiers of the regiment, she said.
Yadupati Singhania, MD & CEO of JK Group of companies, who visited the hospital on Monday, paid glowing tributes to Sahgal, "She was a leading freedom fighter and commander of Subhash Chandra Bose's famous 'Rani of Jhansi' regiment who championed the cause of freedom even in her student life. She was a very popular young freedom fighter and political leader. Her contribution to the nation is unforgettable."
He further said that the departed leader remained dedicated to her mission till her last breath. "Her eyes and body would be donated to the medical college as per her wish. The eyes will give vision to some visually impaired and the body will be used for medical studies," he added.
Despite health problems, Lakshmi used to attend to patients at her clinic in the Civil Lines area of the city besides taking part in social and political activities. Her selfless work with the needy brought her much acclaim -- she was honoured with many awards, including the Padma Vibhushan, the second highest civilian award, in 1998.
She was born on October 24, 1914, as Lakshmi Swaminathan in Chennai, Madras Presidency, British India to S Swaminathan, a lawyer who practiced criminal law at Madras High Court. Her mother was A V Ammukutty, popularly known as Ammu Swaminathan, a social worker and a freedom fighter from the prominent Vadakkath family of Anakkara in Palghat, Kerala.
When Lakshmi finished studying science in college in 1932, she had the option to go abroad for further studies, as had been promised by her father, but she was determined to become a doctor to serve the poor and joined medical college the same year.
She received an MBBS degree from the Madras Medical College in 1938. A year later, she received her diploma in gynaecology and obstetrics. Her college years were eventful. Apart from the pressure of studies, political activities surrounded her both at home and outside.
By this time, her mother had become active in the Congress and in the All India Women's Conference. But Lakshmi was attracted to a more militant brand of politics. She heard and was impressed by Subhash Chandra Bose.
In 1940, at the age of 26, she left for Singapore, where she established a clinic for the poor, most of whom were migrant labourers from India. It was at this time that she began to play an active role in the India Independence League.
The India Independence League in Singapore organized a huge rally on the July 6, 1943. All the men and officers who had rallied to the Indian National Army were there in their military formations and so was almost every member of the Indian community in the city. Subhash Chandra Bose made an inspiring speech in which he promised them their freedom in exchange for blood.
That evening, Netaji met with the leaders of the India Independence League and placed his astonishing proposal before them. He was determined to raise and train a regiment of Indian women. The Japanese had laughed him out of court but he remained firm, determined that he would ask his own countrymen to contribute to the cost of this unusual regiment. He asked the league members to suggest the name of a woman who could lead the regiment. For the moment, this was the only problem he could foresee. He was convinced that once a leader was identified, recruitment would not be a problem. Lakshmi's name was suggested.
RIP to one of the true patriot ......
Sahgal suffered cardiac arrest on the morning of July 19, which was followed by a brain stroke from which she could never recover. She breathed her last at around 11.20 a.m. on Monday morning. As per her wishes, Lakshmi would not be cremated instead her eyes and body would be donated to the medical collage.
Her colleague Manavati Arya, who was a member of the India Independence League and later joined the INA in an administrative capacity, despite her illness and old age visited the hospital on a wheel-chair to pay her respect to the departed soul.
Manavati recalled that despite being the commander of the regiment and a cabinet minister, Lakshmi was never bossy or authoritarian. She was always friendly and affectionate towards all the women soldiers of the regiment, she said.
Yadupati Singhania, MD & CEO of JK Group of companies, who visited the hospital on Monday, paid glowing tributes to Sahgal, "She was a leading freedom fighter and commander of Subhash Chandra Bose's famous 'Rani of Jhansi' regiment who championed the cause of freedom even in her student life. She was a very popular young freedom fighter and political leader. Her contribution to the nation is unforgettable."
He further said that the departed leader remained dedicated to her mission till her last breath. "Her eyes and body would be donated to the medical college as per her wish. The eyes will give vision to some visually impaired and the body will be used for medical studies," he added.
Despite health problems, Lakshmi used to attend to patients at her clinic in the Civil Lines area of the city besides taking part in social and political activities. Her selfless work with the needy brought her much acclaim -- she was honoured with many awards, including the Padma Vibhushan, the second highest civilian award, in 1998.
She was born on October 24, 1914, as Lakshmi Swaminathan in Chennai, Madras Presidency, British India to S Swaminathan, a lawyer who practiced criminal law at Madras High Court. Her mother was A V Ammukutty, popularly known as Ammu Swaminathan, a social worker and a freedom fighter from the prominent Vadakkath family of Anakkara in Palghat, Kerala.
When Lakshmi finished studying science in college in 1932, she had the option to go abroad for further studies, as had been promised by her father, but she was determined to become a doctor to serve the poor and joined medical college the same year.
She received an MBBS degree from the Madras Medical College in 1938. A year later, she received her diploma in gynaecology and obstetrics. Her college years were eventful. Apart from the pressure of studies, political activities surrounded her both at home and outside.
By this time, her mother had become active in the Congress and in the All India Women's Conference. But Lakshmi was attracted to a more militant brand of politics. She heard and was impressed by Subhash Chandra Bose.
In 1940, at the age of 26, she left for Singapore, where she established a clinic for the poor, most of whom were migrant labourers from India. It was at this time that she began to play an active role in the India Independence League.
The India Independence League in Singapore organized a huge rally on the July 6, 1943. All the men and officers who had rallied to the Indian National Army were there in their military formations and so was almost every member of the Indian community in the city. Subhash Chandra Bose made an inspiring speech in which he promised them their freedom in exchange for blood.
That evening, Netaji met with the leaders of the India Independence League and placed his astonishing proposal before them. He was determined to raise and train a regiment of Indian women. The Japanese had laughed him out of court but he remained firm, determined that he would ask his own countrymen to contribute to the cost of this unusual regiment. He asked the league members to suggest the name of a woman who could lead the regiment. For the moment, this was the only problem he could foresee. He was convinced that once a leader was identified, recruitment would not be a problem. Lakshmi's name was suggested.
RIP to one of the true patriot ......
