Lakshmi Sahgal
was born Lakshmi Swaminadhan on 24.10.l914 in what was then still called Madras. Her
father was Dr. S. Swaminadhan, a brilliant and leading lawyer practising criminal law at
the Madras High Court. Her mother was A.V. Ammukutty, a social worker, freedom fighter and
tireless campaigner for women's rights who successfully contested elections to the Madras
Municipal Corporation, the Constituent Assembly, the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. She also
served as National President of the All India Women's Conference.
As a young girl,
Lakshmi participated enthusiastically in nationalist programmes of burning of foreign
goods, including her own clothes and toys and picketting of liquor-vends. She decided to
study medicine not from the point of view of embarking upon a successful career but
because she wanted to be of service to the poor, especially to poor women. As a result,
she received the MBBS degree from Madras Medical College in l938. A year later, she
received her diploma in gynaecology and obstetrics.
In l940, Lakshmi
left Madras for Singapore. Here she quickly established a clinic where the poorest of the
poor, especially migrant Indian labour, could receive medical treatment. Not only did she
establish herself as a successful, compassionate and extremely competent doctor, but she
played an active role in the India Independence League which contributed greatly to the
freedom movement in India.
In l942 came the
historic surrender of Singapore by the British colonial power to the Japanese. Lakshmi was
kept extremely busy tending to the many casualties and injuries that resulted from
skirmishes. She also came in contact with many of the India POWs who were deliberating
over the Japanese proposal to form an Indian army of liberation. She was extremely
enthusiastic about this possibility and argued strongly in its favour. As a result, she
was very much part of the deliberations that finally resulted in the formation of the INA
under Gen. Mohan Singh.
Events moved
very fast with the arrival of Subhas Chandra Bose in Singapore on 2nd July, l943. In the
next few days, at all his public meetings, Netaji, as he was popularly known as, spoke of
his determination to raise a women’s regiment, the Rani of Jhansi regiment, which
would also fight for Indian independence and make it complete. On the 5th of July he spoke
to Shri Yellappa, and enquired whether there was any Indian woman in Singapore who would
be suitable for the task of leading such a regiment. Shri Menon immediately suggested
Lakshmi’s name. Netaji insisted on meeting her immediately and she was brought to
meet him quite late the same night. As soon as he put his proposal to her, she accepted it
without a moment’s hesitation and, the very next day, she closed her clinic and began
preparations for the formation of the Rani of Jhansi Regiment of the INA.
These
preparations were underway very soon and, in a short time, a well-trained fighting force
of women recruits took shape. On 21st October, l943, when the Provisional Government of
Azad Hind was announced, Lakshmi was the sole woman member of its Cabinet.
The Rani of
Jhansi Regiment saw active duty on the front. Lakshmi who was given the rank of Colonel,
although in the popular imagination she remained ‘Captain Lakshmi’ was active
both militarily and on the medical front. She played a heroic role not only in the
fighting but during the terrible days that INA personnel were hunted by the victorious
British troops and saved many lives because of her courage and devotion. She was finally
captured and brought to India on 4th March, l946 when she received a heroine’s
welcome. The British authorities realised that keeping her a prisoner would be
counter-productive and she was released.
After her
release, Capt. Lakshmi campaigned tirelessly for the release and rehabilitation of
imprisoned and de-mobbed INA personnel and for the freedom of India. She travelled the
length and breadth of the country and was able to collect huge funds for the INA soldiers
and also mobilise people against the colonial power.
After the
release of the prisoners, including Col. Prem Kumar Sahgal, from the Red Fort the campaign
for freedom continued. In March 1947, Col. Sahgal and Capt. Lakshmi were married in Lahore
(Col. Sahgal was the son of Justice Achhru Ram Sahgal, a member of the Punjab High Court
Bench who was one of the judges in the Gandhi Murder Case). After their marriage, they
settled down in Kanpur.
In Kanpur,
Lakshmi plunged into her medical work almost immediately because the influx of refugees
started even before August, l947 when it became a flood. She worked tirelessly among them
for several years. Later on she established a small maternity home in a hired premise
where it continues till today. Her compassion and service to the poor have become
legendary in the city.
In l971, when
huge numbers of refugees came from what was East Pakistan into West Bengal, Lakshmi worked
at a camp in Bongaon for several months.
After this, she
became very active in left politics and in, first, the trade union and, then, the women's
movement although she never neglected her medical work. When the All India Democratic
Women's Association was formed in l981, she became Vice-President of the largest women's
organisation in the country and has been actively involved in its activities, campaigns
and struggles ever since.
In October,
l984, when anti-Sikh riots broke out in the city in the wake of Smt. Indira Gandhi’s
assassination, she came out on the streets in defence of Sikh families and shops near her
clinic and did not allow any of them to be harmed.
In l998, she was
awarded the Padma Vibhushan by the President of India
Even during her last days, she used to leave for her maternity home at 9.00 every morning, seven days a week and works
till late in the afternoon. Adulation and awards mean very little to her. Her unassuming
manners and modesty are a source of amazement and inspiration. Her untiring and undying
commitment to humanity and its service were truly exceptional.
