Sarojini Naidu :The Nightingale and the Freedom Fighter
Author: 
Anu Kumar
age group: 
9+ yrs
Number of pages: 
160
Publisher: 
Hachette
Themes:
Sarojini Naidu freedom struggle education
Genre:
biography, non-fiction, historical
 

 

"The battle for freedom is over. The struggle for peace begins. "

Just as the name suggests "What Sarojini Naidu did and What she said is a perfect combination of the authors understanding of Sarojini Naidu’s role in the freedom struggle and excerpts from her speeches and writings which gives a peek into the mind of this unique poet ,efficient administrator,a women's activist and above all a staunch patriot. She was the first woman to become the President of the Indian National Congress and later the Governor of Uttar Pradesh. A fiery public speaker she shared a special relationship with great leaders of the time right from Gandhiji to Mohammedali Jinnah and was loved and respected by one and all

Sarojini Naidu was born in Hyderabad in a progressive family .Her father Aghorenath Chattoppadhyay was a doctor of Science from Edinburg University and her mother Varda Sundari Devi was a poet.Sarojini Naidu excelled in studies from a very early age. The Nizam was very impressed by her poetry and hard work and awarded a scholarship to King's College London. Like her mentor Gokhale she too believed in the cause of Compulsory Education not only for women but for all.

Freedom struggle is part of the school curriculum and hence this book will be very useful to the young adults. The book provides an interesting insight into the role played by Sarojini Naidu in the struggle for freedom which is often over looked as very little is discussed in the history books .Sarojini Naidu who is known as the Bubul-e -Hind or the Nightingale of India, was inspired by Gopal Krishna Gokhale and Mahatma Gandhi to devote her song and speech ,thought and dreams to her motherland .

The method used by the author is very interesting as it brings together the important role played by Sarojini Naidu not only in the struggle for freedom but also being a mediator for peace and unity not only amongst the leaders but also the community at large.

This book is a must read for all school going children and adults too.

 

 

Reviewed by Nargis Kabani