On the occasion of National Girl Child Day, we the NSS unit of Sri Venkateswara College would like to celebrate by reminiscing the IRON LADY of our country.
Durgabai Deshmukh was an energetic and enlivened spirit. A firebrand freedom fighter, a dedicated social worker, and an adept lawyer, she had the potential of turning on her magic at the wink of an eye whenever she felt that people and the country needed her. She was born on 15 July 1909, in a middle-class family in Rajahmundry, Andhra Pradesh. In 1953, she got married to Chintaman Deshmukh, the first Indian Governor of the Reserve Bank of India and Finance Minister in India’s Central Cabinet during 1950-1956.
She finished her B.A and her M.A in Political Science in the 1930s from Andhra University. She went on to obtain her Law degree from Madras University in 1942 and started practicing as an advocate in the Madras High Court. The struggle for independence against British rule became her training ground. From a young age, she became resolute and determined. This tough self-disciplined Satyagrahi was ready to sacrifice anything to make her country free from the clutches of colonial rule.
Durgabai Deshmukh got involved in Indian politics and fearlessly took part in the Non-Cooperation movement of 1922. It was amazing that a young girl of twelve years practiced Satyagraha at Kakinada. Being a nationalist to the core, she left the school, to protest against the imposition of English language education and even went on to begin the Balika Hindi Paathshala in her hometown to promote Hindi education for girls. She was the main driving force behind women in Andhra and successfully garnered their support for the freedom movement. She was an ardent follower of Mahatma Gandhi and propagated his ideas everywhere in and around her hometown by setting up schools for women to give them training in spinning and weaving. She exhibited her leadership skills by establishing a unique organization by the name of Andhra Mahila Sabha in 1937 that played a remarkable role in empowering women through education, health facilities, and vocational training. She was also the President of the Blind Relief Association, set up a school, hostel, and light engineering workshop for the blind. Because of her major contributions in the field of education for girls and disabled children, she was given the title of ‘Mother of Social Work in India’ by late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
Durgabai Deshmukh was the only female member of the Panel of Chairmen in the Constituent Assembly. She played a significant role in the enactment of many social welfare laws. she got nominated as a member of the Planning Commission and gathered a great support for the formation of a national policy on social welfare this resulted in the Central Social Welfare Board and became the chairperson of the board. She was also made the first chairperson of the National Council on Women’s Education, established by the Government of India in 1958. In 1963, she represented the country as a member of the Indian delegation in the World Food Congress held in Washington DC. She was the one who proposed Hindustani (Hindi+Urdu) as the national language of India. She wanted non-Hindi speakers to learn Hindi.
She’s been a great inspiration to all of us, her indefatigable zeal and commitment to her cause became the catalyst for change and social reform in India. A pioneer and transformative leader, Durgabai Deshmukh would continue to be the epitome of women empowerment for the generations to come.
By Shruti Lamba
BA honors economics
NSS SVC Member
Very Well written!