India’s Women Unsung Heroes’ Book

As a part of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, Ministry of Culture is set to release three pictorial books on 75 unsung heroes of the freedom struggle.

Key Points

• The pictorial books will be released in partnership with “Amar Chitra Katha”.
• These books will highlight the contributions of women namely, Rani Abbakka, Parbati Giri, Matangini Hazra, Chakali Ilamma, et al.
• Book celebrates the lives of these women who led the charge and lit the flame of protest and rebellion across the country.
• It comprises of stories of queens who battled against British powers. These women dedicated and laid down their lives for the cause of the motherland.

First series launched

Union Minister Meenakshi Lekhi launched the first of the series in Delhi on January 28, 2022. First part is dedicated to 20 women, whose contributions is largely unrecognised. Among 20 women include:

1. Rani Abbakka– she was the first Tuluva Queen of Ullal. She fought the Portuguese in latter half of 16th century.
2. Matangini Hazra– She was Bengali revolutionary. In September 1942, she was shot dead by the British Indian police.
3. Chakali Ilamma– Her act of defiance against the local zamindar inspired many during the rebellion in Telangana region.
4. Parbati Giri– She is nicknamed as Mother Teresa of western Odisha. She was a prominent female freedom fighter from Odisha.
5. Gulab Kaur– She was a freedom fighter, who abandoned her dreams of a life abroad for mobilising Indians against the British Raj.
6. Padmaja Naidu– She was the daughter of Sarojini Naidu and a freedom fighter. She later became Governor of West Bengal.
7. Bishni Devi Shah– She inspired a large number of people in Uttarakhand for joining the freedom movement.

Second Edition of the series

Second edition of the series is in process. It will comprise of stories of 25 unsung tribal freedom fighters.

Third Edition

Third and final edition of the series will contain stories of 30 unsung heroes.

How one can access these books?

These books will be available free of cost, in digital format, on Amar Chitra Katha app.