Pushpalata Das
Born 27 March 1915 · verify
Died 9 November 2003
Serving as a Rajya Sabha member from Assam between 1951 and 1961.
🔔 Add birthday reminderPushpalata Das was an Indian independence activist, social worker, Gandhian and legislator from the north-east Indian state of Assam. She was a member of Rajya Sabha from 1951 to 1961, a member of the Assam Legislative Assembly and of the working committee of the Indian National Congress. She served as the chairperson of the Assam chapters of the Kasturba Gandhi National Memorial Trust and Khadi and Village Industries Commission. The Government of India awarded her the country's third highest civilian honour, the Padma Bhushan, in 1999, for her contributions to society.
✨ A detail that surprised us
Pushpalata Das was expelled from her school in 1931 for protesting the execution of Bhagat Singh, a bold act for a teenage student in colonial Assam.
1. In 1931, Pushpalata Das was expelled from Panbazar Girls High School in Assam after organizing a protest against the hanging of Bhagat Singh, marking her early defiance against British rule.
2. 🌟 By 1938, she had completed her post-graduate degree from Andhra University, showcasing her dedication to education despite political turmoil.
3. In 1940, while studying law at Earle Law College in Guwahati, she became secretary of the college union and was imprisoned for participating in Gandhi's Individual Satyagraha.
4. After marrying Omeo Kumar Das in 1942, she formed the Shanti Bahini and Mrityu Bahini groups, with the latter leading a protest where Kanaklata Barua was fatally shot by police in September 1942.
5. 🌾 Between 1951 and 1961, Pushpalata Das served as a Rajya Sabha member, influencing Assam’s political landscape during the formative years of independent India.
6. She chaired the Assam chapters of the Kasturba Gandhi National Memorial Trust and Khadi and Village Industries Commission, promoting Gandhian ideals through grassroots social reform.
7. 🏅 In 1999, the Government of India awarded her the Padma Bhushan for decades of social activism and public service in Assam.
8. ❓ How did Pushpalata Das’s leadership shape Assam’s post-independence identity amid its complex political and cultural challenges?
Awards & Honours
- 🏅Padma Bhushan · 1999
🔍 One thing most people don't know
At only 16, Pushpalata Das was expelled from Panbazar Girls High School in 1931 for organizing a protest against Bhagat Singh’s hanging, reflecting her early commitment to the freedom struggle.
🖼️ Through the Years
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📅 The Journey
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🌱 What changed because of them
Pushpalata Das’s activism helped forge Assam’s distinct political voice during India’s early years of independence, especially through her roles in legislative bodies and social organizations. Her leadership in the Kasturba Gandhi National Memorial Trust and Khadi Commission revived Gandhian self-reliance movements in the northeast. These efforts strengthened grassroots social reforms and women's political participation in Assam.
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