Sarojini Naidu also known by the sobriquet The Nightingale of India was an Indian independence activist and poet. She was the first female President of the India National Congress and the first woman to become the Governor of Uttar Pradesh state. Being one of the most famous women of India, her birthday is celebrated as "Women's day".
Background
Sarojini Naidu was born on 13th of February, 1879 in Hyderabad to a Bengali Hindu family. She was the eldest among the eight siblings. Her father wanted her to be a scientist, but Sarojini was much more interested in poetry, at a young age she began writing . At the age of 12 she managed to enter Madras University. In 1905 Sarojini joined the Indian national movement, the following years she gave lectures on social welfare and women empowerment over the whole country. In 1946 she met Mahatma Gandhi and totally directed her energy to the fight for freedom. She collaborated with such persons as Rabindranath Tagore and Jawaharlal Nehru.
Education
There she met famous laureates of her time such as Arthur Symons and Edmond Gosse who inspired her to depict contemporary Indian life and events in her poetry.
Career
In 1931 she participated in the Round table conference with Gandhiji and Madan Mohan Malaviya. In 1942 was arrested during the "Quit India" protest and stayed in jail for 21 months.
Politics
She was was one of the political leaders during the Indian Independence Movement against the British Empire.
Views
Quotations:
"When there is oppression, the only self-respecting thing is to rise and say this shall cease today, because my right is justice. If you are stronger, you have to help the weaker boy or girl both in play and in the work".