Ramadevi Choudhury facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ramadevi Choudhury
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| ରମାଦେବୀ ଚୌଧୁରୀ | |
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| Born | 3 December 1899 Satyabhamapur village, Cuttack district, Odisha, British India
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| Died | 22 July 1985 (aged 85) |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Other names | Maa Rama Devi |
| Occupation | Indian independence activist, social reformer |
Ramadevi Choudhury (born December 3, 1899 – died July 22, 1985) was an amazing Indian freedom fighter and social reformer. People in Odisha lovingly called her Maa, which means 'Mother'. A university in Bhubaneswar, the Rama Devi Women's University, is named after her to honor her great work.
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Her Early Life and Family
Ramadevi was born to Gopal Ballav Das and Basant Kumari Devi. Her uncle was Madhusudan Das, a very respected leader. When she was 15, she married Gopabandhu Choudhury. He was a government officer at that time.
Fighting for India's Freedom
Ramadevi and her husband joined India's fight for freedom in 1921. She was greatly inspired by Mahatma Gandhi. She took a big part in the Non-Cooperation Movement. This movement encouraged Indians not to cooperate with British rule.
Joining the Freedom Movement
Ramadevi visited many villages. She encouraged women to join the independence movement. Other leaders who inspired her included Jai Prakash Narayan and Vinoba Bhave. In 1921, she met Gandhiji for the first time. She and her husband joined the Indian National Congress. They also started wearing khadi, which is hand-spun cloth.
The Salt Satyagraha and Arrests
In 1930, Ramadevi played a key role in the Salt Satyagraha movement in Odisha. This was a protest against the British salt tax. She went to places like Inchudi and Srijang. She was with other brave activists like Kiranbala Sen and Sarala Devi. In November 1930, the British arrested her and her friends. They were sent to different jails.
Ramadevi was arrested many times between 1921 and 1942. She was jailed with other women activists like Malati Choudhury. In 1931, she attended an important meeting of the Indian National Congress. She asked leaders to hold their next meeting in Odisha.
Working for Social Change
After being released from Hazaribagh jail in 1932, Ramadevi worked for the welfare of Harijan people. These were people who faced discrimination. She started a group called Asprushyata Nibarana Samiti. Its goal was to end untouchability, as advised by Gandhiji. This group later became the Harijan Sewa Sangha.
Ramadevi was very involved in Gandhiji's visits to Odisha in 1932 and 1934. She also helped with visits from other important leaders. These included Kasturba Gandhi, Vallabhbhai Patel, and Jawaharlal Nehru. She started an Ashram (a community center) in Bari. Gandhiji named it Sewaghar, meaning 'House of Service'.
The Quit India Movement
During the Quit India Movement in 1942, Ramadevi's whole family was arrested. This included her husband, Gopabandhu Choudhury. After Kasturba Gandhi passed away, Gandhiji asked Ramadevi to represent the Kasturba Trust in Odisha.
Her Work After Independence
After India became independent in 1947, Ramadevi continued her social work. She dedicated herself to the Bhoodan and Gramdan movements. These movements were led by Vinoba Bhave. They encouraged rich people to donate land and wealth to the poor. In 1952, she and her husband walked about 4000 kilometers across Odisha. They spread the message of sharing land with those who had none.
Setting Up Welfare Centers
Ramadevi helped create the Utkal Khadi Mandal. She also started a Teachers’ Training Centre and a Balwadi (a type of preschool) in Ramchandrapur. In 1950, she set up a Tribal Welfare Centre in Dumburugeda.
During a famine in 1951, she worked with Malati to provide relief in Koraput. She also helped soldiers affected by the Indo-Chinese War in 1962.
Protesting During the Emergency
During the Emergency in India, Ramadevi protested against the government. She published her own newspaper with Harekrushna Mahatab. The government banned her newspaper, the Gram Sevak Press. She was arrested along with other leaders from Odisha.
She also established a primary school called Shishu Vihar. She started a cancer hospital in Cuttack.
Awards and Recognition
Ramadevi received many honors for her service to the nation. She was given the Jamnalal Bajaj Award on November 4, 1981. Utkal University awarded her an honorary Doctor of Philosophy degree on April 16, 1984.
Memorials
The Ramadevi Women's University in Bhubaneshwar is named after her. It is the first women's university in eastern India, established in 2015. There is also a museum dedicated to her inside the university. The school she started in Cuttack, Shishu Vihar, is now called Ramadevi Shishu Vihar.
Death
Ramadevi Choudhury passed away on July 22, 1985.
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Ramadevi Choudhury
