The passing away of veteran freedom fighter Captain Lakshmi Sahgal evokes tearful memories. Hers was an illustrious life of irrepressible commitment to social and political ideals. Her remarkable determination to fight casteism at a very young age enabled her to develop clarity on India’s freedom, which for her was not just political but also social and economic. She had a towering personality. The warmth she radiated is unforgettable. Red Salute to you, dear Captain!
S.V. Venugopalan,Chennai
I have heard of courageous anecdotes involving Capt. Lakshmi from V.J. Dhanan who was the recruiting officer of the Indian National Army in Malaysia. Though Dhanan opted for Malaysian citizenship after India became free, he lived in Chennai until he died after a decade.
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Many octogenarian Indians I have met in Indonesia, Thailand and Singapore ask me about Capt. Lakshmi when they come to know I am from India. Even people of ethnic communities in South East Asia admire her. Besides playing a phenomenal role in the freedom struggle, Capt. Lakshmi served the downtrodden through her medical profession and worked for women’s causes. She richly deserves the Bharat Ratna.
Madan Menon Thottasseri,Chennai