President Murmu pays tribute to Matangini Hazra, Kanaklata Barua:

President Murmu pays tribute to Matangini Hazra, Kanaklata Barua:

Subject : History

Section: Modern History

Context: During the Presidential address to the nation on the eve of Independence Day, President Droupadi Murmu paid tributes to women freedom fighters like Matangini Hazra, Kanaklata Barua.

More about Matangini Hazra:

• She was born in a village named Hogla, near Tamluk, on 19th October 1869.
• She was married at 12 to Trilochan Hazra, a 60-year-old man from Alinan village in Medinipur.
• By age of 18, Matangini Hazra was widowed, without any children.
• In 1905, she became actively interested in the Indian Independence Movement, her source of inspiration being Mahatma Gandhi.
• In 1932, she took part in the Civil Disobedience movement and was arrested for breaking the Salt Act.
• After being released, she became an active member of the Indian National Congress and took to spinning her own Khadi.
• People fondly started calling her Gandhi Buri (Old Lady Gandhi) for her dedication towards Gandhian principles.
• In 1933 when Sir John Anderson, Governor of Bengal visited Tamluk to address a public gathering, Matangini craftily managed to avoid the security and reach the dais where she waved a black flag. She was awarded six months rigorous imprisonment for her bravado.
• She died on September 29, 1942, while leading a procession of around 6000 supporters towards Tamluk police station.

Who was Kanaklata Barua:

• She was born on 22 December 1924 at Borangabari,Assam
• During the Quit India Movement, Kanaklata Barua led a group of protesters, carrying the national flag, in an attempt to hoist it at the local police station in Gohpur on 20 September 1942 and was shot by the police during an altercation.
• She had joined the Mrityu Bahini just two days before the incident.
• The Fast Patrol Vessel ICGS Kanak Lata Barua of the Indian Coast Guard, commissioned in 1997, was named after Barua.

Some other female freedom fighters during Quit India Movement:

• Aruna Asaf Ali: Aruna Asaf Ali, also known as the “Grand Old Lady” of the Indian independence movement, was an active participant in the Quit India Movement. She worked to organize underground activities, distribute pamphlets, and mobilize people against British rule.
• Sucheta Kriplani: Sucheta Kriplani was a prominent freedom fighter and a leading figure in the Quit India Movement. She was known for her organizing skills and leadership in various protest activities.
• Usha Mehta: Usha Mehta was a dedicated freedom fighter who played a significant role in organizing and broadcasting underground radio messages during the Quit India Movement. She used her technical skills to spread the message of independence.
• Kamla Devi Chattopadhyay: Kamla Devi Chattopadhyay was a prominent social reformer and freedom fighter. She participated actively in the Quit India Movement and worked to unite women in the struggle against British rule.
• Rajkumari Amrit Kaur: Rajkumari Amrit Kaur was a key figure in the Quit India Movement and an active member of the Indian National Congress. She also contributed to the Quit India resolution and was arrested during the movement.
• Tara Rani Srivastava: Tara Rani Srivastava was a notable Indian freedom fighter who actively participated in the Quit India Movement and made significant contributions to India’s struggle for independence. In 1942, she and her husband were leading a march in Siwan towards the police station when he was shot by police.