UM
Freedom Fighter

Usha Mehta

Born 25 March 1920 · Maharashtra — Died 11 August 2000

Organized the Secret Congress Radio during the 1942 Quit India Movement.

Usha Mehta was a Gandhian and independence activist of India. She is also remembered for organizing the Congress Radio, also called the Secret Congress Radio, an underground radio station, which functioned for a few months during the Quit India Movement of 1942. In 1998, the Government of India conferred on her Padma Vibhushan, the second highest civilian award of the Republic of India.

✨

A detail that
surprised us

“

Usha Mehta’s Congress Radio moved locations 6-7 times in three months to evade British police in 1942, yet continued broadcasting patriotic programs daily.

The Story

1
In August 1942, just days after Gandhi's Quit India speech, 22-year-old Usha Mehta launched the clandestine Congress Radio from Bombay, broadcasting patriotic messages despite British attempts to silence dissent.
2
🌟 At age 8 in 1928, Usha led protest marches against the Simon Commission, famously shouting "Simon Go Back," showcasing her early defiance against colonial rule.
3After her father retired as a judge in 1933, her family moved to Bombay, enabling her to distribute secret bulletins and visit imprisoned freedom fighters, deepening her involvement in the independence movement.
4The secret radio broadcasts, starting once a day then increasing to twice daily, reached diverse audiences with tailored programs for students, women, and workers, often evading police by relocating 6-7 times in three months.

🏅 Awards & Honours

—
Padma Vibhushan

🔍 One thing most people don't know

“

At just 8 years old in 1928, Usha Mehta led protests against the Simon Commission, shouting slogans and leading children dressed in the Indian flag colors to defy British police.

📸 Through the Years

📷

No photos yet

Help preserve history — add a photo of this icon

🗓️ A Life in Moments

🕊️
Birth
Birth in Saras village near Surat
Usha Mehta was born in Saras, a village near Surat in present-day Gujarat, placing her close to Gandhi's home state.
1920
⚡
Career
Leads protest against Simon Commission
At age 8, Usha participated in protests shouting 'Simon Go Back' and led children marching dressed in Indian flag colors.
1928
🌟
Other
Family moves to Bombay
After her father's retirement, Usha's family relocated to Bombay, enabling her deeper involvement in freedom activities.
1933
📚
Education
Graduates Wilson College in Philosophy
Usha completed her degree with first-class honors at Wilson College, Bombay, before starting law studies.
1939
⚡
Career
Launches Congress Radio during Quit India
Following Gandhi’s Quit India speech, Usha Mehta organized and ran the underground Congress Radio broadcasting patriotic content from Bombay.
1942
⚡
Career
Police raid on Congress Radio hideout
The British police raided the secret radio station, but Usha managed a final broadcast before capture.
1942
🏅
Award
Awarded Padma Vibhushan
The Government of India honored Usha Mehta with the Padma Vibhushan for her contributions to the freedom struggle.
1998
🕊️
Death
Death of Usha Mehta
Usha Mehta passed away, leaving behind a legacy as a Gandhian and freedom fighter.
2000
More moments to come...
+ Add a moment

🗝️Discoveries

Swipe to uncover hidden stories
01 / 04
🏆ACHIEVEMENT

During the 1942 Quit India Movement, Congress Radio broadcasts included special programs for women, students, workers, and lawyers, broadening the movement’s reach despite constant police chases.

02 / 04
🌍HISTORICAL IMPACT

When the police raided the secret radio hideout in November 1942, Usha managed to relocate equipment and complete a final broadcast playing 'Vande Mataram' even as British officers stormed the premises.

03 / 04
👤PERSONAL

Usha Mehta took a lifelong vow of celibacy and adopted a spartan Gandhian lifestyle, wearing only Khadi and shunning all luxuries as a personal act of protest.

“

"There was no need for any inspiration. The whole atmosphere was so charged that no-one was left untouched."

— Usha Mehta

🎙️ Speeches & Recordings

These recordings preserve the legacy of Bharat's icons
Freedom fighter Dr Usha Mehta on Quit India Movement
More from this archive
Freedom fighter Dr Usha Mehta on Quit India Movement
01
Freedom fighter Dr Usha Mehta on Quit India Movement
Usha Mehta | Freedom Fighter & Gandhian | Setting up Congress Radio
02
Usha Mehta | Freedom Fighter & Gandhian | Setting up Congress Radio
Usha Mehta | Freedom Fighter & Gandhian | 1942 का भारत छोड़ो आंदोलन...
03
Usha Mehta | Freedom Fighter & Gandhian | 1942 का भारत छोड़ो आंदोलन...
Freedom fighter Dr Usha Mehta on Quit India Movement
04
Freedom fighter Dr Usha Mehta on Quit India Movement
Usha Mehta Freedom Fighter | Secret Congress Radio | Ae Watan Mere Watan
05
Usha Mehta Freedom Fighter | Secret Congress Radio | Ae Watan Mere Watan
Usha Mehta | Indian Freedom Fighters | UPSC ESE 2021 | उषा मेहता स्वतंत्रता सेनानी || JAZBA
06
Usha Mehta | Indian Freedom Fighters | UPSC ESE 2021 | उषा मेहता स्वतंत्रता सेनानी || JAZBA
USHA MEHTA IN THE TIMES OF QUIT INDIA MOVEMENT
07
USHA MEHTA IN THE TIMES OF QUIT INDIA MOVEMENT
उषा मेहता: जिनकी आवाज बनी अंग्रेजों के खिलाफ क्रांति || Usha Mehta Indian Freedom || congress radio
08
उषा मेहता: जिनकी आवाज बनी अंग्रेजों के खिलाफ क्रांति || Usha Mehta Indian Freedom || congress radio
Let's know Usha Mehta.
09
Let's know Usha Mehta.
Usha Mehta Biography in Hindi | Sara Ali Khan | Congress Secret Radio | Voice of Freedom | Interview
10
Usha Mehta Biography in Hindi | Sara Ali Khan | Congress Secret Radio | Voice of Freedom | Interview

🌱 What changed because of them

Usha Mehta's organization of the underground Congress Radio helped sustain communication and morale during the Quit India Movement, defying British censorship. Her broadcasts inspired parallel resistance efforts and symbolized youth leadership in the independence struggle. The radio's existence highlighted the use of innovative communication tactics against colonial rule and influenced later independent India's embrace of media for democratic engagement.

💬 Social Buzz

💬

What are people saying about Usha Mehta?

Share posts from historians, journalists and notable voices about this icon. 🇮🇳

💭 Memories & Tributes

Share your memory of Usha Mehta...
Loading memories...
Is this profile accurate?