Sarojini Naidu: The Nightingale of India

1. The Nightingale of India

• Sarojini Naidu earned the endearing sobriquet "The Nightingale of India" for her remarkable contributions as both a poet and a political leader.

2. Joining the Freedom Struggle

• In 1905, Sarojini Naidu was deeply moved by the partition of Bengal, leading her to actively participate in the Indian freedom struggle.

3. Meeting Freedom Movement Stalwarts

• She had regular meetings with prominent leaders like Gopal Krishna Gokhale, Mahatma Gandhi, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, C. P. Ramaswami Iyer, and Muhammad Ali Jinnah.

4. Leader of the Indian National Congress

• Sarojini Naidu rose to become a leader of the Indian National Congress Party.
• She served as a flag-bearer for the Indian nationalist struggle and traveled extensively to the United States and various European countries.

5. Advocating Social Issues

• In 1915, she embarked on a nationwide tour, delivering speeches on subjects like youth welfare, the dignity of labor, women's emancipation, and nationalism.

6. Championing Indigo Workers

• In 1916, Sarojini Naidu championed the cause of indigo workers in Champaran, Bihar, reflecting her commitment to social justice.

7. Active Participant in Freedom Movements

• She was the first to join Mahatma Gandhi's Non-Cooperation Movement in protest against the Rowlatt Act.
• Sarojini Naidu actively campaigned for various important movements, including the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms, Khilafat issue, Sabarmati Pact, Satyagraha Pledge, and Civil Disobedience Movement.

8. International Engagements

• In 1919, she represented India in England as a member of the all-India Home Rule Deputation.
• In January 1924, she was one of the two delegates sent by the Indian National Congress Party to attend the East African Indian Congress.

9. Leadership in the Congress Party

• In 1925, she was elected as the President of the Indian National Congress Party, a testament to her leadership within the party.

10. Poetic Legacy

• In 1905, she published her collection of poems titled "Golden Threshold."
• Her poetic talents also resulted in two other notable collections: "The Bird of Time" and "The Broken Wings."

11. Contributions Beyond Politics

• Sarojini Naidu became the first woman to serve as the Governor of Uttar Pradesh.
• Her chairmanship of the Asian Relations Conference in 1947 was highly regarded.

12. Passing Away

• On March 2, 1949, Sarojini Naidu passed away in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, leaving behind a lasting legacy in both poetry and politics.

Sarojini Naidu, "The Nightingale of India," made significant contributions to India's freedom struggle and was celebrated for her poetic talents, leadership, and advocacy of social causes.