A TRIBUTE TO DURGABHAI DESHMUKH ON HER BIRTH ANNIVERSARY JULY 15TH 2016

A TRIBUTE TO DURGABHAI DESHMUKH ON HER BIRTH ANNIVERSARY JULY 15TH 2016

Among the southern states, Andhra had the unique distinction of contributing the largest contingent of women Satyagrahis who unmindful of the hardships, entered the prisons. Durgabai Desmukh (1th July 1909- May 9, 1981) A courageous freedom fighter, committed educationist, active social reformer, a great visionary, and multi-faceted woman,  visionary, administrator, educationist, social reformer and parliamentarian.. This eminent personality was called ‘a born leader' by some, the ‘Iron Lady' by many others and the ‘Mother of Social Work' by Indira Gandhi.

Durgabai G. Deshmukh was the first woman member of the Planning Commission. She is also member of the Constituent Assembly and the Provisional Parliament in 1946–52. He became India’s first finance minister and later Governor of the Reserve Bank of India. As Member of Parliament she worked to set up a social welfare board  in 1953 to carry out programs of educating, training and rehabilitating the needy women, children and the disabled. Truly, a legend among women in her lifetime she exhibited her dynamic abilities by founding a unique organization, the Andhra Mahila Sabha in Madras- which is regarded as the foremost among the women’s welfare and educational institutions of entire South India which to-day runs two hospitals, two colleges and three high schools. From 1935 till her death she devoted her entire energy to the welfare of women and children that is why she is aptly recognized as the ‘Mother of Social Service’ in India.

One is never too old to learn was Durgabai’s motto and she was a self made person, from an ordinary middle class family.She formally educated herself, to the highest level, which rendered her standing tall among people like Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. She completed her education by crash course at Banaras Hindu University for Matriculation.Then she did B.A.(Hons) from Madras University and won a scholarship to the London School of Economics. But she could not go due to war. She joined Law college and specialized in criminal law and went on to become one of the most successful lawyers of her time. She decided never to send back any woman in need of legal aid. In spite of her active participation in the national struggleDurgabai found time to take the M.A. and B.L. degrees.Several of her unique achievements were in the field of social work. Sri Venkateswara College in the University of Delhi also owes its origin to her. Today scores of school children studying in the numerous institutions she founded thank her, especially the special children benefitting from her school for hearing impaired and visually challenged.

Durgabai Deshmukh received several awards in her life. For her outstanding contribution to peace, social welfare and literacy and work among the downtrodden she received honors both nationally and internationally. She won Nehru Literacy Award and UNESCO Award for he exemplary work in the field of Literacy.Durgabai also received Padma Vibhushan. Indian Posts and Telegraphs Department issued a commemorative stamp in her honor.

One honest, sincere and efficient worker could create millions or billions of rupees, no millions or billions of rupees could create an honest, sincere and devoted worker" is what Durgabai Deshmukh said. Her achievements in life and the number of lives she touched through her work goes to prove her saying.Durgabai breathed her last on 9th May 1981. However the indelible legacy she left behind keeps her alive among us. She is greatly remembered for the institutions she built and nurtured which continue to function and serve effectively even today.