Page 50 - NIS English, 16-30 November,2022

Nation Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav

MIRABEN A devoted follower of Mahatma Gandhi

who took part in the freedom struggle of India

Born: 22 November 1892, Death: 20 July 1982

ahatma Gandhi had followers across the 1931. After coming back to India from London, she
Mworld. But among these followers, there was a got involved in the promotion of Khadi and traveled
wealthy woman who left her country to follow the all over the country for this. Miraben wore a simple
path of truth and non-violence. This follower was dhoti, spun yarn, and traveled from village to village.
none other than Miraben whose real name was She continued to follow the messages of Mahatma
Madeleine Slade. She was the daughter of British Gandhi and was active in propagating the message
Navy officer Edmund Slade. She was born on 22 of non-violence. She wrote thousands of articles for
November 1892 in Britain. Influenced by Mahatma Young India and Harijan Patrika.
Gandhi's principles of non-violence, she made India She was also arrested several times and kept in
her home. Miraben devoted her whole life to the custody during the Civil Disobedience Movement.
advancement of Mahatma Gandhi's principles and The British also accused her of sending information
freedom struggle. She was an Englishwoman, who to Europe and America while in India. She was also
took up the cause of the Indian freedom struggle. arrested during the Quit India Movement. Miraben
She lived in India for about 34 years. Miraben came was imprisoned from 9 August 1942 to 6 May 1944
to Ahmedabad on 7 November 1925 where she was at the Aga Khan Palace in Pune along with Mahatma
received by Mahadev Desai, Vallabhbhai Patel, and Gandhi his wife Kasturba Gandhi, secretary
Swami Anand. Mahatma Gandhi allowed her to stay Mahadevbhai Desai, Pyarelal Nair, Sarojini Naidu,
at the Sabarmati Ashram and named her Miraben. and Dr. Sushila Nayar. She established an ashram
Since then, as a trustworthy ally of Mahatma Gandhi, near Rishikesh in 1947. During the next 11 years,
she always stayed with him. It is said that Bapu she traveled to different regions of India, running
considered Miraben his daughter. During the initial community projects and working on environmental
years of her stay in India, Miraben learned Hindi issues. Miraben left for England on January 18,
and traveled to villages to learn and understand 1959. A year later, she moved to Vienna and lived
India. Soon, she became one of Mahatma Gandhi's there for the rest of her life. The Government of India
trusted aide. She accompanied Gandhi to London honored her with the Padma Vibhushan in 1982.
to attend the Second Round Table Conference in Miraben died on 20 July 1982.

Buckland Stevens on 14 December 1931 on the Mahatma Gandhi and the British government in 1939,
pretext of giving candy and chocolates to him before she was released after serving a seven-year sentence.
Christmas. Stevens ate the candy and said, 'These After her release, she joined the Bengali Women's
are delicious!' On hearing this, Santi Ghosh and Suniti College and completed her studies. After the
Choudhary took out the pistol hidden under the shawl independence of the country, she was continuously
and said, 'Well, how is this Mr. Magistrate?' And with involved in political and social activities. She remained
that, they fired at the magistrate. The magistrate a member of the West Bengal Legislative Council
died shortly after being shot. After this incident, Santi from 1952 to 1962 and again from 1967 to 1968.
Ghosh and Suniti Choudhary were arrested and put She was a member of the West Bengal Legislative
on trial for the murder of a magistrate. Due to their Assembly from 1962 to 1964. She has also written
young age, both were sentenced to life imprisonment her autobiography in the Bengali language by the
and sent to Hijli Detention Camp in Kharagpur. She name 'Arun Bahni'. Santi Ghosh continued to work
was kept in a separate barrack from her companion for the betterment of the country till her death on 28
Suniti. However, as a result of negotiations between March 1989.

48 New India Samachar November 16-30, 2022