Sarojini Naidu

Sarojini Naidu was writing poems before she was tall enough to reach a bookshelf. She studied in England, came home, and used her voice to help India fight for freedom.

People called her the Nightingale of India because her words felt like music. She marched with Gandhi in the Salt Satyagraha, took charge when he was arrested, and later became the first Indian woman to be Governor of a state.

She showed girls everywhere that a woman could write, speak and lead all at once.

Sarojini Naidu was born in 1879 in Hyderabad and lived until 1949. A gifted poet from childhood, she published books like 'The Golden Threshold' and 'The Bird of Time' that won her praise in Britain as well as India.

She joined the freedom movement early and became one of Gandhi's most trusted colleagues.

In 1925 she became the first Indian woman to be elected president of the Indian National Congress. During the 1930 Salt Satyagraha, when Gandhi was arrested, she led the daring raid on the Dharasana Salt Works, where marchers walked calmly into police lathis without lifting a hand.

After Independence in 1947 she was appointed Governor of the United Provinces (today's Uttar Pradesh), making her the first woman ever to be Governor of an Indian state. She is remembered as both a fine poet and a fearless leader who opened doors for many women in Indian public life.