Sarojini Naidu Birth Anniversary: Lesser-known facts about the 'Nightingale of India'

Sarojini Naidu Birth Anniversary: Lesser-known facts about the 'Nightingale of India'

Born on 13th February 1879, Sarojini Naidu was a poet and freedom fighter. Here are some lesser-known facts about the inspirational figure.

Shubham BhargavUpdated: Saturday, February 13, 2021, 10:25 AM IST
article-image
Gandhi with Sarojini Naidu walking towards the venue of Round Table Conference, 1931 | Photo: gandhi.gov.in

Sarojini Naidu was born on 13th February 1879 in a Hyderabad to Aghorenath and Sundara Devi Chattopadhyay. Her father was the principal of Nizam's college in Hyderabad whereas her mother was a prominent Bengali poet.

Eldest of the eight siblings, Sarojini studied from the University of Madras and then went to England to study in King's College, London and Girton College in Cambridge. She was highly moved by Mahatma Gandhi and his idea of attaining Independence through non-violence.

Sarojini Naidu joined the Indian Independence Movement in 1905. She was heavily inspired by prominent thinkers and writers like Rabindranath Tagore and Gopal Krishna Gokhale. Sarojini Naidu also raised her voice against evil practices which affected the lives of women across the country.

She played a major role in establishing Women's Indian Association (WIA) in 1917. Naidu again went back to England in 1919 to advocate for freedom from the tyrannical British rule. She came back to India and joined Mahatma Gandhi's Satyagraha Movement.

Sarojini Naidu, along with other freedom fighter played a major role in Civil Disobedience and Quit India Movement. She was a real headache for the British authorities as she inspired women all across the country to step out of their houses and take part in the nation's quest to attain Independence.

Sarojini Naidu was a meritorious student and an inspiring writer. She wrote her first play 'Maher Muneer' in Persian. 'The Golden Threshold', a collection of her poems was published in 1905 and was highly praised by the celebrated writers of that time.

She gained worldwide acclaim for 'In the Bazaars of Hyderabad', 'The Gift of India' and many such poems. After India's Independence, Sarojini Naidu was appointed as the Governor of United Provinces (Uttar Pradesh). She breathed her last on 2nd March 1949.

RECENT STORIES

'Centre Trying To Undermine Karnataka’s Success': Minister Priyank Kharge On US Visit Denial

'Centre Trying To Undermine Karnataka’s Success': Minister Priyank Kharge On US Visit Denial

Bengaluru Airport Placed On High Alert After Hoax Bomb Threat; No Explosives Found In Searches

Bengaluru Airport Placed On High Alert After Hoax Bomb Threat; No Explosives Found In Searches

'PM Modi Should Be Ashamed To Visit Bihar,' Says RJD Leader Tejashwi Yadav Citing Unkept Promises,...

'PM Modi Should Be Ashamed To Visit Bihar,' Says RJD Leader Tejashwi Yadav Citing Unkept Promises,...

94 Jammu & Kashmir Students Evacuated From Iran Reach Delhi Safely, Govt Arranging Transit To Home...

94 Jammu & Kashmir Students Evacuated From Iran Reach Delhi Safely, Govt Arranging Transit To Home...

Justice Yashwant Varma Cash Haul Row: 3-Judge Panel Recommends Initiation Of Removal Proceedings...

Justice Yashwant Varma Cash Haul Row: 3-Judge Panel Recommends Initiation Of Removal Proceedings...