Sarojini Naidu, born on February 13 1879, was an influential freedom fighter and poet, who hailed from a Bengali Hindu family. Sarojini is famously known as the Nightingale of India. She acquired her education from Chennai, London and Cambridge. Sarojini married to Dr. Govindarajulu Naidu, and came back to Hyderabad with him. But, as they say, Naidu’s spirit had always aspired for freedom, and so she joined Mahatma Gandhi on their journey to fight for the freedom of their country. Naidu, apart from being remembered for her contributions to the Swaraj movement was also an exceptionally skilled poet, with works that were based on the themes of nature, love, death and patriotism.
Sarojini wasn’t afraid of being jailed for what she believed in, and joined Mahatma Gandhi in his protests of Quit India. She was prominent throughout the Civil Disobedience Movement, and became President of Indian National Congress and then, Governor of the United Provinces, which is now Uttar Pradesh. She died of a cardiac arrest on 3:30 a.m. (IST) on 2 March 1949, in Lukhnow.
The history of our nation has many courageous women, and Naidu is always mentioned with them, because of her determination and literary gifts. She should be celebrated for her works too, because they are the legacy of a woman who knew what she wanted, and gave herself in the services of her country, her passion for writing and to the people of this country, who have a duty to celebrate her life and death equally.
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