Why in News?
National Women’s Day in India is observed annually on 13 February. The day commemorates the birth anniversary of Sarojini Naidu, a key figure in India’s freedom struggle and women’s empowerment.
Sarojini Naidu:
Sarojini Naidu is a vital figure representing the intersection of the Indian national movement, women’s empowerment, and literary excellence. Known as the “Nightingale of India” (Bharat Kokila).
Key Institutional Milestones
- Indian National Congress (INC): She was the first Indian woman to be elected President of the INC at the 1925 Kanpur Session. (Note: Annie Besant was the first woman President overall in 1917).
- First Woman Governor: In 1947, she was appointed the Governor of United Provinces (now Uttar Pradesh), becoming the first woman to hold such a post in independent India.
- Women’s Indian Association (WIA): She co-founded the WIA in 1917 alongside Annie Besant to advocate for women’s suffrage and education
Role in the Freedom Struggle
- Non-Cooperation & Civil Disobedience: A staunch follower of Mahatma Gandhi, she participated in the Non-Cooperation Movement (1920) and the Salt Satyagraha (1930).
- Dharasana Satyagraha: After Gandhi’s arrest during the Salt March, she took command of the raid on the Dharasana Salt Works on May 21, 1930, leading 2,500 volunteers.
Literary & Cultural Contributions
Her poetry is noted for its vivid imagery and themes of patriotism and Indian life. Key works include
- The Golden Threshold (1905)
- The Bird of Time (1912)
