Dr. Lakshmi Sehgal, also known as Captain Lakshmi, was a prominent Indian freedom fighter, revolutionary and women’s rights activist. She was also the Minister of Women’s Affairs in the Azad Hind government.
Birth and background
He was born on October 24, 1914 in Madras (now Chennai), British India. Her name in childhood was Lakshmi Swaminathan. Lakshmi was deeply influenced by the ideals of Indian independence and social justice from a young age.
His father was – S. Swaminathan and mother’s name was Ammukutty. His father S. Swaminathan, was a lawyer. His mother Ammukutty, also known as Ammu Swaminathan, was a social worker and Indian independence activist. Lakshmi studied at Queen Mary College and later obtained MBBS degree in the field of medicine from Madras Medical College in the year 1938. A year later, she obtained a Diploma in Gynecology and Obstetrics. He worked as a doctor at the Government Kasturba Gandhi Hospital in Triplicane, Chennai.
In the fight for freedom
She joined the Indian National Congress and actively participated in the Quit India Movement against British colonial rule. Later, she became associated with Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose and joined the Indian National Army (INA), which was formed to fight for India’s independence with the support of Imperial Japan during World War II.
Captain Lakshmi, as she was fondly called, became the commander of the Rani Jhansi Regiment, a women’s unit of the INA. She played an important role in organizing and leading the women’s regiment, which contributed significantly to the activities of the INA.
life after independence
After India gained independence in 1947, Lakshmi Sehgal remained active in politics and social work. Lakshmi married Prem Kumar Sehgal in March 1947 in Lahore. After their marriage, they both settled in Kanpur, where he continued his medical service and assisted the refugees who were arriving in large numbers after the partition of India.
She was a vocal supporter of women’s rights, gender equality and social justice. She co-founded the All India Democratic Women’s Association (AIDWA) and remained committed to various social causes throughout her life.
Heritage
Lakshmi Sehgal suffered a heart attack on July 19, 2012, and died in Kanpur on July 23, 2012, at the age of 97. His body was donated to Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi Memorial Medical College for medical research.
Lakshmi Sehgal’s dedication to the freedom struggle and advocacy of women’s rights made her an inspirational figure for generations of Indians. She was a symbol of courage, determination and resilience and her contribution to India’s freedom struggle and women’s empowerment is still remembered and celebrated.
Each phase of Lakshmi Sehgal’s life is an expression of her political evolution. From a young medical student to a freedom fighter; From Jhansi Ki Rani Regiment to a doctor in Azad Hind Fauj; After independence, her life from resuming her medical practice in Kanpur among refugees and the most deprived sections of the society to becoming, in independent India, a member of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and the All India Democratic Women’s Association (AIDWA) touched the hearts of millions of people. Keeps inspiring even today.
https://hindi.ultranewstv.com/jayanti/laxmi-sehgal-jayanti-vishesh-24-october/
