Lakshmi Sahgal
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Lakshmi Sahgal (or Sehgal) nèe Swaminadhan, also known as Captain Lakshmi. (Tamil:லக்ஷ்மி சேகள்) (born October 24, 1914 in Madras) is an Indian soldier, activist and politician. After coming to notice as one of those captured while fighting for the Indian National Army, she represented the Communist Party of India (Marxist) in the Rajya Sabha and was the Left Front's candidate for President of India in 2002.
She served as an officer in the Indian National Army, as did her husband, Prem Kumar Sahgal, and held the rank of Minister of Women's affairs in the Azad Hind Government. A doctor by profession, Lt Col Sehgal was in Singapore at the time of it's fall to Japanese during WW II, and came to be involved in the Indian Independence League. She later served in the Indian National Army at the time of it's reorganisation under Subhas Chandra Bose, and was later appointed the commander of the Rani of Jhansi Regiment.
In independent India, she served as a member of parliament in the Upper House and later running for President as a left wing candidate. Although she was promted to the rank of lieutenant-colonel in the last days of the war, she is generally remembered as Captain Lakshmi in India, referring to her rank at the time of being taken.
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[edit] Early Life
Sahgal was born as Lakshmi Swaminathan, daughter of Dr S. Swaminathan, a leading lawyer practising Criminal Law at Madras High Court (now Chennai). Her mother was A.V. Ammukutty, better known as Ammu Swaminathan, a social worker and freedom fighter and hailed from the famous Vadakkathu family of Anakkara in Palghat, Kerala. A.V. Kutty Malu Amma was another well known freedom fighter from the same family.
Lakshmi decided to study medicine because she wanted to be of service to the poor, especially to poor women. As a result, she received an MBBS degree from Madras Medical College in 1938. A year later, she received her diploma in gynaecology and obstetrics.
In 1940,she left for Singapore where she established a clinic for the poor, mostly migrant labour, from India. She became one of the most popular and prosperous gynecologists in the city. She was not only a competent doctor but also played an active role in the India Independence League which contributed greatly to the freedom movement in India.
[edit] Freedom Fighter
In 1942, during the historic surrender of Singapore by the British to the Japanese, she worked hard in serving the prisoners of war who were hurt during the skirmishes. In the process, she came in contact with many Indian Prisoners of War (POWs) who were thinking of forming an Indian liberation army.
Subhas Chandra Bose arrived in Singapore on July 2, 1943. In the next few days, at all his public meetings, Netaji spoke of his determination to raise a women's regiment, the Rani of Jhansi Regiment, which would also "fight for Indian Independence and make it complete".
Lakshmi wasted no time in joining the new regiment, called the Rani of Jhansi Regiment. She was given the rank of a Colonel. The unit had the strength of a Brigade. In a regular army, this women's army unit was the first of its kind in Asia. The army fought on the side of the Axis powers against the British.
Lakshmi was active both militarily and on the medical front. She played a heroic role not only in the fighting but during the days that INA personnel were hunted by the victorious British troops and saved many lives.
Later, she became the Minister in charge of Women's Organization in Arzi Hukumate Azad Hind (Provisional Government of Free India), led by Subhash Chandra Bose. She held this portfolio over and above her command of the Rani of Jhansi Regiment.
Lakshmi was captured and brought to India on March 4, 1946 where she received a heroine's welcome. The British realised that keeping her a prisoner would prove counter-productive and she was later released.
[edit] Later Years
After marrying Colonel Prem Kumar Sahgal, the couple settled down in Kanpur. She carried on with her medical profession and served the refugees who were arriving in large numbers during the Partition of India.
In 1971 she joined the Communist Party of India (Marxist), the bitter opponents of both Indian National Army and its leader Subhash Chandra Bose. Later she became a leader of the All India Democratic Women's Association.
In 2002 four leftist parties (Communist Party of India (Marxist), Communist Party of India, Revolutionary Socialist Party and All India Forward Bloc) nominated her as a candidate in the presidential elections. She was the sole counter-candidate to the winning A.P.J. Abdul Kalam.
[edit] Family
Colonel Prem Kumar Sahgal was among those who were released from the Red Fort by the British. In March 1947, Colonel Sahgal and Captain Lakshmi were married in Lahore. Colonel Sahgal was the son of Justice Achhru Ram Sahgal. After their marriage, they settled down in Kanpur.
Her daughter Subhashini Ali is a prominent communist politician and a labour activist.
[edit] Awards and Recognition
In 1998, she was awarded the Padma Vibhushan by the President of India.
[edit] References
- Lakshmi Sahgal: A life in service by Subhashini Ali
- India’s 50 Most Illustrious Women (ISBN 81-88086-19-3) by Indra Guptha
[edit] External links
[edit] See also
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