National Women's Day: Date, History, Significance And More
Sarojini Naidu, popularly referred to as the Nightingale of India, was born on February 13, 1879, and is honoured on National Women's Day.
Ankush Pandey
India observes National Women's Day on February 13 each year to commemorate the birth anniversary of Sarojini Naidu, a poet, child prodigy, and freedom fighter who accomplished many firsts. She is honored on this day for her contributions to women's rights, the independence movement, and many other fields. National Women's Day is observed to encourage women's empowerment, gender equality, and leadership, as well as to remind us to value the accomplishments of women in a variety of fields.
National Women's Day 2025: History and Significance
The Nightingale of India, Sarojini Naidu, was born on February 13, 1879, and is honoured on National Women's Day. One of the key players in India's independence movement was Naidu. She was the first female president of the Indian National Congress in 1925 and was a key figure in the Indian Nationalist Movement. She later became the first Indian state governor to be a woman.
February 13 was declared National Women's Day by the Indian government in recognition of Sarojini Naidu's steadfast work for social justice and women's empowerment as well as her inspirational writings.
10 Facts About Sarojini Naidu
- Barada Sundari Devi and Aghornath Chattopadhyaya, a philosopher and scientist, welcomed Sarojini Naidu into the world in Hyderabad.
- She excelled in the Madras University matriculation exam and was a bright student. She went to England when she was sixteen to attend Girton College in Cambridge and King's College in London.
- During a period when intercaste marriages were prohibited, Sarojini Naidu married Dr. Govindarajulu Naidu when she was
- She presided over the East African Indian Congress in South Africa in 1929, and the British government recognized her efforts during the Indian plague epidemic with the Kaisar-i-Hind Medal.
- Sarojini Naidu was a key figure in the Indian independence movement's Civil Disobedience movement. She was also arrested during the 1942 "Quit India" movement.
- She helped draft the Indian Constitution after independence and was the first Governor of the United Provinces from 1947 to 1949.
- Sarojini Naidu started writing when she was thirteen years old, and her poetry was her most significant contribution. Her debut poetry collection, The Golden Threshold, was released in 1905. Her daughter Padamaja edited and posthumously published The Feather of the Dawn in 1961.
- Sarojini Naidu, who consistently followed Mahatma Gandhi's lead, was repeatedly imprisoned for her lengthy support of the nationalist cause.
- Sarojini Naidu passed away in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, on March 2, 1949, following a heart attack.
