Sarojini Naidu

In News

• Recently, the nation observed the 143rd birth anniversary of freedom fighter, poet, activist and lyricist Sarojni Naidu.
  • Her birth anniversary is also celebrated as National Women’s Day (13th Feb) in India

Sarojini Naidu (13 February 1879 – 2 March 1949)

• About:
  • She was also known as the ‘Nightingale of India’ or ‘Bharat Kokila’, a name given by Mahatama Gandhi. She was at the forefront of India’s freedom struggle.
• Significant contributions:
  • In 1905, she joined the Indian National Movement and began her political career. She became a follower of Mahatma Gandhi and his philosophy of swaraj.
  • She joined the Home Rule movement launched by Annie Besant. 
  • She was arrested, along with other Congress leaders including Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, and Madan Mohan Malaviya for participating in the 1930 Salt March.
  • Sarojini was one of the major figures to have led the Civil Disobedience Movement and the Quit India Movement. 
  • Sarojni Naidu also accompanied Mahatma Gandhi to London for the Second Round Table Conference for Indian–British cooperation in 1931.
  • She was instrumental in establishing the Women’s India Association, founded by Annie Besant in 1917.
  • She was appointed the President of the Indian National Congress in 1925 and later became the Governor of the United Provinces in 1947, becoming the first woman to hold the office of Governor in the Dominion of India.
  • Wrote the 1300-line poem, ‘Lady of the Lake’ at a very young age. She gained international acclaim for her Persian-language play ‘Maher Muneer.’

Source: PIB