Introduction:
Durgabai Deshmukh-The Iron Lady & her unending contribution in framing Indian Constitution. Durgabai Deshmukh, Lady Deshmukh was an Indian freedom fighter, lawyer, social worker and politician. She was a member of the Constituent Assembly of India and of the Planning Commission of India. A public activist for women’s emancipation, she founded the Andhra Mahila Sabha in 1937.
About:
- Gammididala Durgabai Deshmukh, Lady Deshmukhwas an Indian freedom fighter, lawyer, social worker and politician. She was a member of the Constituent Assembly of India and of the Planning Commission of India.
- A public activist for women’s emancipation, she founded the Andhra Mahila Sabha (Andhra Women’s Conference) in 1937.
- She was also the founder chairperson of the Central Social Welfare Board. In 1953, she married C.D. Deshmukh, the first Indian governor of the Reserve Bank of India and Finance Minister in India’s Central Cabinet from 1950 to 1956.
- In spite of her active participation in the national struggle, Durgabai found time to complete her higher education.
- 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 Universityin 1942 and started practising as an advocate in the Madras High Court.
A true nationalist:
- Durgabai was elected to the Constituent Assembly from the Madras Province. She made several key interventions on issues that include the national language, judicial independence and human trafficking.
- The struggle for independence against British rule became her training ground. From a young age, she became resolute and determined.
- This tough self-disciplined Satyagrahiwas 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 practised Satyagraha at Kakinada.
- Being a nationalist to the core since her childhood, she left the school, to protest against the imposition of English language education and even went on to begin the Balika Hindi Paathshalain 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. Andhra contributed the largest contingent of women Satyagrahiswho, despite hardships, filled the prisons.
- 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 was so inspired by him that just to translate his speeches from Hindi to Telegu, she improved her knowledge of Hindi.
- Jawaharlal Nehru was impressed to see Durgabai’s courage and commitment towards her duty when he met her during a conference at her hometown of Kakinada in 1923.
Role in India’s Independence Movement:
- In May 1930, she participated in Salt Satyagraha in Madras and was imprisoned in 1930 and 1932.
- In 1936, she established Andhra Mahila Sabha to coach young Telugu girls in Madras for their Matriculation examination conducted by the Banaras Hindu University.
- Durgabai founded and edited a Telugu journal called Andhra Mahila.
- After independence, she was a part of key national organizations like the Central Social Welfare Board, and the National Council for Women’s Education.
- She was also a member of the Planning Commission. In 1958, she headed the National Committee on Girls’ and Women’s Education.
- Durgabai was awarded the Nehru Literary Award in 1971 for her contribution to the promotion of literacy in India.
- She was awarded the Padma Vibhushan in 1975. The Central Social Welfare Board instituted a yearly award in her name to recognize voluntary organisations for outstanding contribution to women’s welfare and empowerment.
