Rama Devi : (1899 – 1985) The Kindling
Spirit in
women
Rama Devi is remembered among the Oriyas as a mother, Maa, for her multifarious socio-
political activities and variously accepted as a lady of lamp, for her transparent character, selfless sacrifice and soft corner towards the helpless destitutes and suffering millions.Rama Devi was a resplendent socio-political
leader among the women
freedom fighters
of modern Orissa, who became a legend
in her lifetime. She was the symbol of
women's pride, met the challenges posed
by the
social rigidity and political instability.
The clarion call of Gandhiji to fight for the nation had a tremendous impact on Rama Devi and changed the course of her life and made her the symbol of "Universal Motherhood" among the Oriyas.
Rama Devi was born at Satyabhamapur in Cuttack district on 3rd December 1899. Her father was Gopal Ballabh Das, the then Deputy- Magistrate and mother was Basanti Manjari. She was highly influenced by the three great ideals like, the Gandhian political ideology, kindness towards the destitutes and the high standard of leadership of Utkal Gaurab Madhusudan Das. She got married at the age of 15 to the renowned social activist Gopabandhu Chowdhury.
The spirit of patriotism first inculcated in her mind by the incidence of Khudiram who was hanged for killing British officials by throwing bombs in 1908. The year 1921 was the turning point in the life of Rama Devi, when she first came in touch with Mahatma Gandhi who visited Orissa to attend the Women's Sammilani at the market complex of Binodbihari in Cuttack. Rama Devi presented him a bundle of cotton-string prepared by her, which was very much admired by Mahatma Gandhi. Rama Devi became a staunch follower of Gandhiji and joined the Khadi
Movement with her husband who resigned from the post of Deputy Magistrate to participate in the Freedom Struggle.
She devoted herself to the promotion of Khadi and the welfare of women and
children in Alka Ashram. She raised voice against purdah system, removal of untouchability. There she took to spinning and weaving by Charakha as her daily routine work and also teach same to common men.
Besides, she organised a brigade of young girls by cutting across the class rigidity and distributed medicines among the poor masses. 26th January of 1931 was decided to be celebrated as the 1st Independence Day all over India. For the first time the word "Purna Swaraj" was taken up as a new slogan of our freedom struggle and it ireverberated in different parts of Orissa. Mass public meetings were organized to observe the pledge of Independence under the leadership of Rama Devi, Gopabandhu Chaudhury and Acharya Harihar Das. To commemorate 26th January as the 1st Independence Day of India, at Bhubaneswar in Orissa the national flag was even hoisted on the top of the Lingaraj Temple. As a result Rama Devi awas arrested by the police. Rama Devi, Lingaraj Mishra and Gopabandhu Chaudhuri took over the charge of the movement and played a very dominant role in propagating the Congress views and the news of the mass movement in Orissa.
Despite depression and gruelling torture by the police under the leadership of Rama Devi, a batch of young girls belonging to the student community plunged into the Civil Disobedience Movement and boycotted the British goods and picketed in front of the offices, wine and opium shops. Rama Devi rose in stature and popularity. Her capacity as an organiser, speaker, indefatigable campaigner and inspirer of ordinary men and women was extraordinary. A veteran of the period of salt satyagraha she soon emerged as a social worker and vehemently opposed untouchability and raised the slogan to treat the Harijans as own sons and daughters.
She was the promoter of basic education in Orissa and successful in introducing the spirit of self help and basic education in 25 schools. She was imprisoned for her participation in Quit India movement and released in 19. Her contribution towards the tribals cannot be undermined as she has reached the inaccessible area of Koraput where leprosy was a major health hazard and started health home for proper care of tribal children of leprosy patients. Hundreds of healthy children were taken care well in the health home due to efforts of Rama Devi. She was the founder of Nabajivan Mandal for welfare of the leprosy children. From 1947 till the end of her life Rama Devi was actively participated in Bhoodan movement.
A women's college is name as Rama Devi Women's College which has been established at Bhubaneswar and dedicated to her sweet memory. She was a good writer also. 'Jeevan Pathe' the autobiography of Rama Devi happens to be a masterpiece of all times. Rama Devi is remembered among the Oriyas as a mother, Maa, for her multifarious socio-political activities and variously accepted as a lady of lamp, for her transparent character, selfless sacrifice and soft corner towards the helpless destitutes and suffering millions. Rama Devi was not only a distinguished leader of National Movement but also a social worker on international fame. She inculcated the spirit of self – respect and self – reliance among the people with whom she worked. She was a perennial source of inspiration for the oppressed, depressed and helpless. Her contribution towards the nation, poor & vulnerables rightly made her a kindling spirit among the women freedom fighters of modern Orissa.
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