Page 24 - NIS English 2021 November 16-31

India@75 Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav

RAJKUMARI AMRIT KAUR: THE AMMU SWAMINATHAN RAISED THE RIGHTS OF
PRINCESS WHO BUILT DELHI AIIMS WOMEN IN THE CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY

Born – 2nd February 1889, Died – 6th February 1964 Born – 22nd April 1894, Died- 4th July 1978

hen Rajkumari Amrit Kaur, daughter of King Harnam mmu Swaminathan was elected to the
WSingh of Kapurthala, returned to India in 1918 after AConstituent Assembly in 1946 and was one of
receiving higher education from Oxford, she expressed her the very few women involved in the drafting of the
desire to join politics. Initially, her parents were reluctant Indian Constitution. She attended every meeting of
to her idea of joining politics, but eventually they gave in the Constituent Assembly and actively participated
to her requests. She joined the Indian National Movement in every debate. She was a strong advocate of
after some time. In later years, she remained Mahatma women's rights, their equality and gender justice.
Gandhi's secretary for 16 years and was one of his closest She supplemented Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar's tireless
confidant. Being a staunch supporter of Mahatma Gandhi, efforts in getting equal legal rights for women.
she actively participated in the TIME MAGAZINE When the Constituent
'Salt Movement' and 'Quit India AMMU Assembly resolution was
Movement' and was arrested HAS INCLUDED SWAMINATHAN being discussed, Ammu
on both the occasions. Born on RAJKUMARI AMRIT WAS A STRONG Swaminathan remarked
February 2, 1889, Amrit Kaur also KAUR IN ITS LIST that “people outside have
fought a decisive battle against OF 100 POWERFUL ADVOCATE OF been saying that India did
the evil practices prevalent in WOMEN'S RIGHTS, not give equal rights to her
the country. She insisted on WOMEN OF THE THEIR EQUALITY AND women. Now we can say
introducing sports as curriculum WORLD OF THE LAST that when the Indian people

in schools to make the children CENTURY. GENDER JUSTICE. themselves framed their
stronger and disciplined and later Constitution they have given rights to women equal
helped in setting up the National Sports Club of India. She with every other citizen of the country.” Born on 22nd
was also opposed to evil practices like purdah system, April 1894 in Palakkad, Kerala, Ammu also made a
child marriage and devdasi system. When the Constituent valuable contribution in the freedom movement of
Assembly was formed to draft the Constitution for India, India. She became a follower of Mahatma Gandhi
Rajkumari Amrit Kaur played an important role as a during the Indian freedom struggle and was always
member. After the independence of India, she was made at the fore in the fight to free India from the shackles
the health minister of the country and she remained in of servitude. She was elected to the Lok Sabha in
that position for 10 years. During this period, she made 1952 and two years later became a member of the
concerted efforts to establish the All India Institute of Rajya Sabha. It is believed that though she never went
Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi by getting financial to school, but understood the importance of female
assistance from many countries, including New Zealand, education. This is the reason that she continued her
Germany, the USA, etc. She also donated her ancestral efforts in the field of women's education. She also
house in Shimla to AIIMS so that the nurses could spend headed the Bharat Scouts and Guides (1960–65)
their holidays here. and the Censor Board. She died on 4th July 1978.

22 New India Samachar November 16-30, 2021