Don't Forget the Brave Lady!!!

Today is the date to remember Capt. Dr. Laxmi Sehgal - the brave lady who fought to bring independence to undivided India. My father used to be volunteer to help the INA in Burma and he used to narrate those memories that INA was on the verge of Victory - and it would have been an undivided great Bharat and lives of Crores of people would have been saved (who died during partition riots). If the then Congress could have extended its full support, the INA would have definitely won the battle. Today is the day to remember the brave lady Capt. Dr. Laxmi Sehgal, who was one of the pillars of INA in that war, which we lost.

Captain Lakshmi Sahgal, originally named Lakshmi Swaminathan, was born on October 24, 1914, in Madras (now Chennai), British India. She was born into a progressive Tamil Brahmin family. Her father, Dr. S. Swaminathan, was a renowned lawyer, and her mother, A.V. Ammukutty (also known as Ammu Swaminathan), was a social worker and independence activist. Inspired by her mother's involvement in the freedom movement, Lakshmi developed a keen interest in nationalistic activities from a young age.

Lakshmi pursued her medical degree from Madras Medical College and completed her MBBS in 1938. She later received her diploma in gynecology and obstetrics, becoming a practicing physician. Her career as a doctor brought her to Singapore in 1940, where she set up a clinic to serve the poor, especially the migrant Indian community.

Indian National Army

Lakshmi's life took a significant turn during World War II when she encountered Subhas Chandra Bose in Singapore in 1943. Bose, a prominent freedom fighter, had formed the Indian National Army (INA) with the aim of liberating India from British rule. Inspired by his vision, Lakshmi joined the INA and played a crucial role in forming the Rani Jhansi Regiment, the women's regiment of the INA - the brave women of Bharat.

Rani Jhansi Regiment fought against the British forces in Burma (now Myanmar). The regiment symbolized the active participation of women in the struggle for India's independence, and Lakshmi's leadership became a source of inspiration.

Post-Independence Activism

Following the defeat of the INA and the end of World War II, Capt. Lakshmi Sahgal was arrested by the British forces in 1945. She was later repatriated to India, where she continued her medical practice and her involvement in social and political activism.

Lakshmi married Colonel Prem Kumar Sahgal, a fellow INA officer, in March 1947, and the couple settled in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh. They had two daughters, Subhashini Ali and Anisa Puri. Subhashini Ali later became a prominent political figure and trade unionist.

Lakshmi remained actively involved in politics, joining the Communist Party of India (Marxist) in 1971. She worked tirelessly for the rights of women, refugees, and the marginalized sections of society. Her contributions to healthcare, particularly for the poor and underserved, were widely recognized.

Later Years and Legacy

In 2002, Capt. Lakshmi Sahgal was nominated as a candidate for the Indian presidency by the Left parties, highlighting her enduring influence and respect in Indian politics. Although she did not win the presidency, her candidacy brought attention to her lifelong commitment to social justice and national service. Capt. Lakshmi Sahgal passed away on July 23, 2012, in Kanpur, at the age of 97