Demise of Capt. Lakshmi: Big loss for the people of Anakkara

July 23, 2012 08:45 pm | Updated November 17, 2021 10:59 am IST - PALAKKAD

File picture of Lakshmi Sahgal. Photo: S. Ramesh Kurup.

File picture of Lakshmi Sahgal. Photo: S. Ramesh Kurup.

The sad demise of Captain Lakshmi, the great freedom fighter and humanist, is a big loss to the people of Anakkara village near Kootanad because she had long years of bond of affection with her Vadakkath Tharavad, where she was born, and the people of this remote village in Palakkad district bordering Malappuram.

She also took keen interest in the welfare of the people and started teachers training school, library and hospital etc., at Anakkara.

One of her colleague in the INA and neighbour Appu Nair said that she was always interested in social work and to help the people of Anakkara.

She made it a point to visit the Tharavad every year and spent a few days in the ancestral house.

She also used the occasion for having Ayuveda rejuvenation treatment, Mr. Nair, who is 14 days senior to her, said.

Her last visit to the Tharavad was for Onam festival in 2005. She was here during that time to attend the inaugural function of E.M.S. Memorial hospital at Perinthalmanna.

All the educational institutions like DIET, Swaminatha Vidayalam of 1000 students and the teachers training institute were started in the 10 acre land donated by Vadakkath Tharavad, Mr. Appu Nair said.

The Kuttikrishna Menon memorial library was inaugurated by Ammu Swaminathan, the mother of Captain Lakshmi.

When Captain Lakshmi visited the Tharavad it was a moment of joy for the people of Anakkara because she interacted with them as a friend and guide. She also helped the poor people financially for their urgent needs, marriage, treatment etc, the people of Anakkara remembered.

One of the frequent visitors to the Tharavad and a local journalist C.K. Sashi said that Captain Lakshmi loved her village so much so that she wanted to come and settle down at Anakkara. But she was unable to move away from Kanpur where she was running her hospital and the social and political works for decades. But she always found time to keep her close contacts with her native village and the ancestral house, Mr. Sashi said.

She was very particular in keeping the Nalukettu intact and formed a Trust with nearly 120 other family members to preserve the Vadakkath house where the only inmate now is her sister G. Susheela, also very old and not keeping good health.

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