Durgabai Deshmukh

Durgabai Deshmukh was born on July 15, 1909, in Rajahmundry, Andhra Pradesh, then part of British India. From an early age, she became involved in education, social reform and India's freedom movement.

At the age of 12, Durgabai left school in protest against the imposition of English-medium education. She subsequently established the Balika Hindi Paathshala in Rajahmundry to promote Hindi education among girls. She was also influenced by Mahatma Gandhi and became involved in the khadi movement and the struggle for Indian independence.

Durgabai participated in the Civil Disobedience Movement and organized women volunteers during the Salt Satyagraha. British authorities imprisoned her three times between 1930 and 1933 because of her activities in the independence movement.

In 1923, during the Indian National Congress session held in Kakinada, she volunteered at the Khadi Exhibition. One frequently recorded episode from the event recounts that she initially refused entry to Jawaharlal Nehru because he did not have a ticket, following the instructions given to her.

After her involvement in the freedom struggle, Durgabai pursued higher education and obtained a law degree. She later practiced law at the Madras Bar. Her legal and social work increasingly focused on women's rights, education, family welfare and social development.

In 1937, she founded the Andhra Mahila Sabha, an organization that developed into an important institution for women's education, healthcare, vocational training and social welfare. She subsequently helped establish and support several educational and social-service institutions.

Durgabai was a member of the Constituent Assembly of India, where she participated in discussions concerning language and other issues connected with the formation of independent India's constitutional system. She later became the first woman member of India's Planning Commission.

As a member of the Planning Commission, she worked to strengthen social welfare planning. Her efforts contributed to the establishment of the Central Social Welfare Board, of which she became the first Chairperson. The Board worked with voluntary organizations on programs involving education, training and rehabilitation for women, children and disadvantaged groups.

Durgabai also promoted women's education at the national level. In 1958, she headed the National Committee on Women's Education. She later supported the development of social research and helped establish the Council for Social Development.

In 1953, she married Chintaman Dwarkanath Deshmukh (C. D. Deshmukh), an economist and former Governor of the Reserve Bank of India who later served as India's Finance Minister. The couple participated together in several social-service initiatives.

Durgabai received several honors for her work, including the Paul G. Hoffman Award, Nehru Literacy Award and UNESCO recognition. In 1975, she was awarded the Padma Vibhushan for her contribution to public affairs and social work.

Durgabai Deshmukh died on May 9, 1981. Her name continues to be associated with women's education, social welfare, voluntary organizations and social-development institutions in India. The Government of India also established the Durgabai Deshmukh Award for Women's Development in her memory.