Page 51 - NIS English 16-31 Aug 2022

Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav Nation

he Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav is a proud movement for every citizen of the country. In 75
years of independence, our country has not only deepened the roots of democracy but has
Texcelled in every development parameter. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has resolved to
celebrate the Amrit Mahotsav in a grand way and has called for celebrating the 25-year period
up to the centenary of independence as Amrit Kaal. The next 25 years are a period of steadfast
resolve which will guide our way to rapid development. The historic date of 22 August is also
coinciding with this edition of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav celebrations. On this day Mahatma
Gandhi made a clarion call for Swadeshi by burning foreign clothes in 1921 to protest against the
British. In this series of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, read the stories of freedom fighters Madam
Bhikaiji Cama, Sundara Sastri Satyamurti, K Kelappan, and Jhaverchand Kalidas Meghani, who
left an indelible mark on India's freedom struggle...

BHIKAIJI CAMA: SHE UNFURLED THE INDIAN FLAG FOR

THE FIRST TIME ON FOREIGN SOIL

our decades before India's independence, in the year 1907, the Indian flag was
Fhoisted on foreign soil for the first time by a woman. She was none other than
Madam Bhikaji Rustam Cama who had hoisted the flag at International Socialist
Congress, Stuttgart, Germany. It was one of the many unofficial flags created during
the freedom struggle, different from today's flag of India.
Popularly known as Madam Cama, Bhikaji was born on 24 September 1861 in a
Parsi family in Mumbai. She played a pivotal role in saving lives during the famine
in Mumbai Presidency in 1896 and the plague that followed afterward. She also
got infected with the plague. She went to London for treatment, where she met
nationalists Shyamji Krishna Varma and Dadabhai Naoroji during her stay.
She was deeply influenced by them and started participating in the Indian
independence struggle. She helped in establishing the Indian Home Rule Society
in London in 1905. Later, she moved to Paris and helped establish the Paris
Indian Society. Joining hands with the Indian diaspora fighting for independence
BORN: 24 SEPTEMBER 1861, during her stay abroad, she wrote and distributed literature for the freedom
DIED: 13 AUGUST 1936 movement. Madam Cama, who played an active role in India's independence
participated in the Second Socialist Congress held in Stuttgart, Germany. In
this conference on 22 August 1907, she not only raised the questions of human
rights and equality but also appealed for India's independence from British rule.
When Cama saw the British flag there, she removed it and hoisted the new
WHEN CAMA SAW Indian flag in the assembly, which she called the flag of Indian independence.
Later this flag was brought to India and kept in the Maratha and Kesari Library
THE BRITISH FLAG AT in Pune. The current flag, a symbol of Indian self-respect, was built on the basis
SOCIALIST CONGRESS of the flag designed by Madam Cama. On 26 January 1962, the Department of
Posts and Telegraph issued a postage stamp in her honor. Madam Cama's life
THEN SHE REMOVED IT is an example of perseverance, commitment, and patriotism. Inaugurating the

TO HOIST INDIA'S NEW Jal Bhushan Bhawan and the Revolutionaries' Gallery at Raj Bhavan in Mumbai,
Prime Minister Narendra Modi remembered the contributions of Madam Bhikaji
FLAG. THIS DAY WAS Cama and said, " Madam Bhikhaji Cama had sacrificed her affluent life and lit
AUGUST 22 the flame of freedom. The source of inspiration for our present-day tricolor was
the flag designed by freedom fighters like Madam Cama and Shyamji Krishna
Varma. Irrespective of the social, familial, and ideological roles, irrespective
of the location of the movement in the country or abroad, the goal was one -
complete independence for India. At the age of 74, Madam Cama breathed her
last on 13 August 1936 at the Parsi General Hospital.

New India Samachar August 16-31, 2022 49