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Independence- quite a glorious feeling to inhabit. But was India always this lucky enough to have lived in its magnificent state as it is today offering us multiple rights and freedoms? Unfortunately, no. The free country that we live in today is only in this state of emancipation due to the struggles and constant motivation of our freedom fighters that endured with them throughout their journey to independence just to make sure the coming generations live in security and happiness, and India touches new horizons every day. Mahatma Gandhi, Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, Jawaharlal Nehru, and a page full of prominent freedom fighters can be penned seeing their elaborate and distinctive contributions to freedom struggles. But what about the unsung heroes that lost their lives fighting for the country whose names faded in the shadows of such incidents that went down in history? They are meant to be cherished, respected, and remembered for the sacrifices they made to envision a free and Independent India. To recall one such hero whose grand deeds went unnoticed in this great war for independence was Lakshmi Sehgal.

Born Lakshmi Swaminathan, she spent prime years of her life contributing towards the greater good. Always preaching the triumph of right over wrong and breaking stereotypes from a young age, there were mentions regarding her first case of rebellion harking back to her childhood days where she stood up against the demeaning institution of caste in Kerala. Having heard the hollers of people living in surrounding jungles and hills, she once held the hands of a young tribal girl and led her to play. This incident followed a very furious grandmother who was of this belief, that tribals were the people “whose very shadows are polluting”. Nonetheless, Lakshmi’s values and beliefs remained unvanquished.

Having a family of political background and wanting to join the national movement, she was first determined to finish her studies. Completing her MBBS in Madras, Lakshmi then moved to Singapore to initiate her private medical practice. Joining the India Independence League under Rashbehari Bose there, she focused on doing welfare work and underground broadcasts. It was only in 1943 when Subhash Chandra Bose arrived in Singapore, and he reorganized the Indian National Army and dropped the news of initiating a women’s regiment named the ‘Rani of Jhansi’ regiment. Lakshmi being the very first woman to join the force, she was allotted a room in INA’s headquarters the very next day. The response to women joining the force was tremendous. She was not only able to raise a regiment of 1500 women but also earned herself the title ‘Captain Lakshmi’ which would stay with her for a lifetime.

When the provisional Azad Hind government was formed by Netaji, owing to the liberation of Indian women, he appointed Lakshmi as the minister in his government. She was given the portfolio of women’s problems and the regiment, which she proved to be quite capable at. When the Indian National Congress descended their journey to the second world war, Lakshmi turned out to be a reliable veteran. And when the army faced heavy casualties, she volunteered at the Indian National Army hospital to aid the severely wounded and incapacitated personnel. Even after Independence, Lakshmi continued to fight for women and their rights. She was one of the founding members of the All-India Democratic Women’s Association- an organization achieving democracy, equality, and women’s emancipation. This organization has now embedded its presence in 23 states of India with a membership of 11 million people at present.

Further, she resumed her medical practice in Kanpur where she treated the refugees and the most marginalized sections of the society. Each and every step taken by Lakshmi has only been a turning point for her. Starting from a young doctor wanting in in the freedom struggle movement, to being the leader of the women’s regiment, to being the minister at Netaji’s Azad Hind government, to dedicating her life to treat the downtrodden and helpless people, to starting All-India Democratic women’s association, she has only been a citizen of service, breaking dogmas. Having a woke personality and being a powerful leader amongst the people, she promotes working for the betterment of others and lifting them. A great freedom fighter, a colossal helping hand, leader, and a trend-setter, Lakshmi Sahgal bid adieu to the world in 2012 at the age of 97 years, permanently bagging a place in the hearts of people and leaving them with a fine legacy to follow.