Sarojini Naidu

Why in news?

• 13th February marks the birth anniversary of Sarojini Naidu. She was famously known as Bharatiya Kokila (The Nightingale of India).
• India celebrates Sarojini Naidu's birth anniversary as National Women's Day.

About Sarojini Naidu:

• Sarojini Naidu, born in 1879, joined the Indian national movement in the wake of partition of Bengal in 1905.
• The British government lauded Sarojini Naidu with the ‘Kaisar-i-Hind’ Medal for her service during the plague epidemic in India.

Contributions to Freedom Movement:

• First Indian Woman President of INC:
  • Naidu was elected as the first Indian woman president of the Indian National Congress(INC) in 1925(Kanpur Session) and continued to hold this position till 1928.
  • Annie Besant was the first woman President of the INC who presided it in 1917.
• Participated in Non-Cooperation Movement:
  • Naidu took part in the Non-Cooperation Movement launched by Gandhi in 1920 and was arrested several times for her involvement in various freedom activities.
• Lead Salt Satyagraha:
  • In 1930, Naidu was selected by Gandhi to lead the Salt Satyagraha, a nonviolent protest against the British monopoly on salt production in India.
  • On May 21, Sarojini Naidu led 2,500 marchers on the Dharasana Salt Works, some 150 miles north of Bombay.
• Quit India Movement:
  • In 1942, Sarojini Naidu was arrested during the "Quit India" movement and was jailed for 21 months with Gandhiji.
• Traveled Abroad to Raise Awareness:
  • Naidu traveled to different countries, including the United States and the United Kingdom, to raise awareness about India's struggle for independence and to mobilize international support.
  • She also represented India at various international forums and spoke about the Indian independence movement and women's rights.
• Second Round Table Conference:
  • She accompanied Gandhiji to London for the inconclusive second session of the Round Table Conference for Indian–British cooperation (1931).
• Governor of Uttar Pradesh:
  • After India gained independence, Naidu was appointed as the governor of Uttar Pradesh, becoming the first woman to hold a governor's office in India.

Other Contributions:

• Naidu was a renowned poetess and wrote in both English and Urdu.
• Her works include
  • The Golden Threshold (1905)
  • The Bird of Time (1912)
  • The Broken Wing (1912)
  • In the Bazaars of Hyderabad (1912)
• She was also a member of the All-India Women's Conference and worked to improve the status of women in India.

PRACTICE QUESTION

UPSC 2015

Consider the following statements:

1. The first woman President of the Indian National Congress was Sarojini Naidu.

2. The first Muslim President of the Indian National Congress was Badruddin Tyabji.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer