Madam Bhikaji Cama

News :

• Recently ,the birth anniversary of Madam Bhikaji Cama was celebrated.

Madam Bhikaji Cama

• About:
  • Bhikaji Rustom Cama, also known as Madam Cama, was a stalwart of the Indian freedom struggle. 
  • She was born on September 24, 1861, to Sorabji Framji Patel and Jaijibai Sorabai Patel. 
• Life as a Freedom Fighter: 
  • She was an active member of the Indian freedom movement. She propagated the cause of Swaraj among the Indian community in England. In 1907, Madam Cama became the first person to hoist the Indian flag in Germany.   The flag was designed by Bhikaiji Cama and fellow activist Vinayak Damodar Savarkar. 
  • Bhikaiji Cama moved to Paris where she founded the Paris Indian Society. Munchershah Burjorji Godrej and S.R. Rana were the co-founders of this society.
  • Bhikaji Cama was one of the bravest women involved in the Indian freedom struggle. She carried out many campaigns in the country and abroad to empower daughters; organised many exhibitions.
  • She was arrested along with Rewabhai Rana while trying to incite Indian troops at Bordeaux on their way to the front. Rana was exiled to the Caribbean while Bikhaiji Cama was sent to Southern France in 1915. 
• Literary works:
  • She penned, published, and distributed revolutionary works such as ‘Bande Mataram’ and ‘Madan’s Talwar’. 

• Recognition: 
  • In honour of the late freedom fighter, many Indian cities have streets and places named after her. 
  • On January 26, 1962, India’s 11th Republic Day, the Indian Posts and Telegraphs Department issued a commemorative stamp in her honour.
  •  In 1997, the Indian Coast Guard commissioned a Priyadarshini-class fast patrol vessel ICGS Bhikaji Cama after Bikhaiji Cama.

Source: AIR