National Women’s Day is annually observed on 13th February across India to honor the birth anniversary of Sarojini Chattopadhyay Naidu also known as Sarojini Naidu and popularly named as the “Nightingale of India” or “Bharat Kokila”.
- 13 February 2025 marks the 146th birth anniversary of Sarojini Naidu.
About Sarojini Naidu:
i.Sarojini Naidu, born on February 13, 1879, in Hyderabad, Hyderabad State, British Raj (present-day Telangana), was a distinguished poet, freedom fighter, and political leader.
ii.In 1917, alongside Annie Besant and other notable figures, she co-founded the Women’s Indian Association (WIA) to advance women’s rights and welfare.
iii.A prominent figure in India’s freedom struggle, she played a crucial role in the Indian Nationalist Movement (INM) and became the first woman to serve as the President of the Indian National Congress (INC) in 1925.
- She served as a Member of the Bombay Municipal Corporation (BMC) (1923–29) and embarked on international lecture tours to South and East Africa (1924) and North America (NA) (1928-29)
iv.She also served as the President of the All India Women’s Conference (AIWC) in 1930, advocating for women’s education, political participation, and social reforms.
- In 1931, she was also appointed as the President of the All-Asian Women’s Conference (AAWC).
v.She played an influential role in several pivotal movements, including the Salt Satyagraha (1930), the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM) (1930), and the Quit India Movement (1942).
vi.She was the first woman to hold the position of Governor in Independent India, serving as the Governor of the United Provinces (now Uttar Pradesh,UP), post-independence, from August 15, 1947, until her death on March 2, 1949.
vii.She was an active participant in India’s freedom struggle, working alongside prominent leaders like Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, popularly known as Mahatma Gandhi and Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru.
viii.Mahatma Gandhi bestowed upon her the title “The Nightingale of India” or “Bharat Kokila“ in recognition for her patriotic songs and poems that inspired millions during the independence movement.
ix.She became a symbol of India’s cultural heritage, with her poetry, written in both English and Hindi, capturing themes of patriotism, love, and beauty, which earned her international acclaim.
x.She passed away at the age of 70 on 2 March, 1949, in Lucknow, UP.
Awards: She was awarded the ‘Kaisar–i-Hind’ Gold Medal in 1911 by the British government for her social work during flood relief in Hyderabad, Telangana and in 1929 for her work during the plague epidemic in India
Notable Works:
i.The Golden Threshold (1905): Her first volume of poetry, published in London, United Kingdom (UK) which introduced her lyrical style.
ii.The Bird of Time (1912): A collection reflecting themes of life, mortality, and renewal.
iii.The Broken Wing: Songs of Love, Death and Destiny (1917): This volume delves into deeper emotional and philosophical themes.
iv.The Sceptred Flute: Songs of India (1928): A compilation of poems celebrating India’s cultural heritage.
v.The Feather of the Dawn (1961): Published posthumously, this collection was edited by her daughter, Padmaja Naidu.
