Page 62 - NIS English 01-15 October, 2025

PERSONALITY | Vijayaraje Scindia

the people. Born on 12 October 1919,
Vijayaraje had no connection with
any royal family before marriage.
Born into a modest family in
Sagar, Madhya Pradesh, she not only
journeyed from Lekha Divyeshwari
to Vijayaraje after marrying into the
royal Scindia family of Gwalior but
also won everyone’s hearts along the
way. She also taught the lesson that
for public service, for state respon-
sibilities, it is not necessary to be
born in a special family. Any ordinary
person who has the ability, talent,
and spirit of serving the country can
make power a medium of service
in this democracy. She had power,
wealth, and capability, but above all,
her true assets were culture, service,
and affection. Rajmata Vijayaraje Scindia, who was a
Member of Parliament and a founding member of the
Jansangh, proved that public service is more important
for a public representative than political power. This Respectful tributes to Rajmata
is why she fought to protect democracy and spent an Vijayaraje Scindia ji on her birth
important period of her life in jail. She gave a great anniversary. She dedicated her
lesson in the letter she wrote to her daughters from entire life to public welfare and
Tihar Jail during the Emergency. She wrote, “We should national service. Her efforts for
bear today’s calamity with patience so that our future
generations get the inspiration to live with pride.” the poor and the underprivileged
Vijayaraje Scindia’s feelings towards the common inspire everyone to build a strong
people can be understood from her prayer during India. She was synonymous with
her visit to Bankebihari temple in Mathura, in which courage and foresight.
she wished Lord Krishna, “O Krishna! Play such a flute
that the men and women of all of India become aware Narendra Modi, Prime Minister
again.” She used to say specifically about women’s
power that “the hands that can rock the cradle can
also rule the world.” She also had a deep connection return to where it came from… from the void to the
with spirituality. Sadhna, worship, and devotion were void. Memories will remain. I will leave behind these
deeply embedded in her inner self, but when she used memories for those with whom I have been connected
to worship God, there used to be a picture of Bharat and for those who have been connected to me.” There
Mata in her worship temple. It is an amazing coinci- were many occasions when posts came to her, but she
dence that the struggle she made for the construction politely declined them. She died on 25 January 2001.
of the Ramjanmabhoomi temple, her dream, also got On 12 October 2020, Prime Minister Narendra Modi
fulfilled in the year of her birth centenary. Vijayaraje, released a special commemorative coin of Rs 100 to
reflecting on her memories, wrote in one of her books: commemorate the birth centenary celebrations of
“One day, this body will be left behind; the soul will Rajmata Vijayaraje Scindia. n

60 NEW INDIA SAMACHAR || October 1-15, 2025