Remembering the nightingale of India: 71st death anniversary of Sarojini Naidu

How many brave freedom fighters have contributed to the independence of India, one of those names was Sarojini Naidu, who was an Indian political activist, a poet and the first female governor of India, popularly known as ‘Nightingale of India’. Also known as ‘Bharat Kokila’, she was among the women of our country, whose skills were considered by everyone.  Born on February 13, 1879, at the house of Aghornath Chattopadhyay, her father was a scientist and mother Sundari was a poetess of the Bengali language.

Today is Sarojini Naidu’s 71st death anniversary and on this occasion, here are some facts about her:

1. She started a career in literature when she was just 12 years old. She wrote a play named “Maher Muneer” for which she earned great recognitions and praises from all over the world.

2. At London King’s College, Nobel Laureates Arthur Simon and Edmond Gausse advised her to focus on Indian themes for writing. She received a scholarship at the age of 16 from the Nizam of Hyderabad and came to London King’s College.

3. During her college days in London, she fell in love with Padipati Govindarajulu Naidu a non-Brahmin & a physician and got married at the age of 19 in 1898.

4. She started her political career in 1905 when she became the part of Indian National Movement. In 1915-18, she travelled to different regions in India and deliver lectures on social welfare and women’s empowerment.

5. She became the president of the Indian National Congress in 1925.

6. The British government also awarded her with the Kaisar-i-Hind Medal for her work during the plague epidemic in India.

7. In 1961, Padmaja Naidu the daughter of Sarojini Naidu published her collection of poems named ‘The Feather of the Dawn’ which was written in 1927.

8. She became the first women governor of India and served as the governor of the United Provinces of Agra and Awadh from 1947 to 1949.


9. Sarojini Naidu was nicknamed as Mahatma Gandhi’s “Mickey Mouse.”

10. She died on 2 March 1949 due to cardiac arrest at the Government House in Lucknow.

Check out how people on twitter remembered Sarojini Naidu on her 71st death anniversary:

Cover Image Source- english.dcbooks.com