The story of INA veteran Saraswati Rajamani, who remains forgotten today.
Ever heard of Saraswathi Rajamani? Maybe not, as she is one who sacrificed her whole life for the National freedom & like many other freedom fighters slipped into oblivion. Very few people know her,
Ever heard of Saraswathi Rajamani? Maybe not, as she is one who sacrificed her whole life for the National freedom & like many other freedom fighters slipped into oblivion. Very few people know her,
even though she was in Netaji’s Indian National Army! Yet, her role in the Independence Movement reads like a spy action thriller!
Rajamani was born in 1927 in Burma (Myanmar) to an affluent and liberal couple. The family was patriotic and passionate about freedom for their
Rajamani was born in 1927 in Burma (Myanmar) to an affluent and liberal couple. The family was patriotic and passionate about freedom for their
country. Her father owned gold mines in Tiruchirapally but had settled in Burma to avoid arrest by the Britishers.
Subhash Chandra Bose chant, “Give me blood and I will give you freedom,” appealed to the young Rajamani. There was ample liberty in her household and she could read
Subhash Chandra Bose chant, “Give me blood and I will give you freedom,” appealed to the young Rajamani. There was ample liberty in her household and she could read
and practice whatever interested her.
Once Gandhi had visited her house in Rangoon (Yangon) and the whole family was excited and all introduced themselves, but little Rajamani was not to be found. Everyone, including the great visitor, searched for her! Eventually, she was found
Once Gandhi had visited her house in Rangoon (Yangon) and the whole family was excited and all introduced themselves, but little Rajamani was not to be found. Everyone, including the great visitor, searched for her! Eventually, she was found
practising shooting in the backyard. Evidently, Gandhiji was surprised and enquired as to why she needed to practice shooting.
“To shoot down the Britishers, of course,” was her firm and candid answer.
“Violence is not the answer, little girl. We are fighting the British
“To shoot down the Britishers, of course,” was her firm and candid answer.
“Violence is not the answer, little girl. We are fighting the British
through non-violent ways. You should also do that,” Gandhi ji had counselled.
“We shoot and kill the looters, don’t we? The British are looting India, and I am going to shoot at least one Britisher when I grow up,” was her quick & unwavering justification
Giving away her
“We shoot and kill the looters, don’t we? The British are looting India, and I am going to shoot at least one Britisher when I grow up,” was her quick & unwavering justification
Giving away her
jewellery for the cause
A few years later when the 2nd World War was at the peak, Subhas Chandra Bose had visited Rangoon to seek help for the great cause of freedom and also to recruit soldiers for his INA. Rajamani had heard his passionate speeches, and had been intensely
A few years later when the 2nd World War was at the peak, Subhas Chandra Bose had visited Rangoon to seek help for the great cause of freedom and also to recruit soldiers for his INA. Rajamani had heard his passionate speeches, and had been intensely
impressed. She gave away all her jewellery, both gold & diamonds, that she was wearing.
The wise Bose presumed that she had done this impetuously and innocently. Therefore, he went to her palatial house and returned her jewellery to her father. The gold miner smiled and remained
The wise Bose presumed that she had done this impetuously and innocently. Therefore, he went to her palatial house and returned her jewellery to her father. The gold miner smiled and remained
silent. But his young daughter fumed and asserted that the jewellery was indeed hers, and that she had the right to donate for a noble cause. She would certainly not take the ornaments back.
Subhas Chandra Bose was amazed at her precocious statement & said; “Lakshmi (money)
Subhas Chandra Bose was amazed at her precocious statement & said; “Lakshmi (money)
comes and goes but not Saraswathi. You have the wisdom of Saraswathi. Hence, I name you Saraswathi.” She had immense sanity and knowledge. From then, she was called Saraswathi Rajamani.
Joining the Indian National Army
But the story does not end there. The 16 year old had been
Joining the Indian National Army
But the story does not end there. The 16 year old had been
electrified by Bose’s fiery speeches and the Indian National Army.  Hence, she insisted he enrol her in his army.
Ironically, to join such movement, it was mandatory for a girl/woman to get the permission of her father or male relative! So convincing & adamant she was, that
Ironically, to join such movement, it was mandatory for a girl/woman to get the permission of her father or male relative! So convincing & adamant she was, that
@RajeswariAiyer
Bose recruited her and four of her friends as spies in INA’s intelligence wing. Thus 16 year old Sarawathi Rajamani became the nation’s youngest spy, who smuggled secrets for the INA.
A thrilling life
Her involvement in the freedom movement & actions are
Bose recruited her and four of her friends as spies in INA’s intelligence wing. Thus 16 year old Sarawathi Rajamani became the nation’s youngest spy, who smuggled secrets for the INA.
A thrilling life
Her involvement in the freedom movement & actions are
exciting & fearful. If caught, the punishments could be terrible. In fact she and her friends were advised to avoid being caught.The girls dressed as young boys & Saraswati Rajamani’s name was Mani. They started working as errand boys at British military camps & officers’ houses
For almost 2 years, the girls carried out the daring task of conveying messages. Unfortunately, one day a spy colleague was caught and jailed. The consequences would be fatal, and Saraswati Rajamani could never leave her friend in the mire. The gutsy girl dressed as a dancer
entertained the officers, and drugged them. However, while escaping with her friend the Britishers fired at them. A bullet hit Rajamani’s foot, but the brave girl ran. It is said that the 2 girls clambered over a tree & camped there for 3 days while the Britishers continued
their search. Eventually, the 2 girls escaped.
The bullet wound left an eternal limp on her foot, but Saraswathi Rajamani was proud of this. It was like a memento of her exciting spy days! Netaji was quite delighted with her great escapade & lauded her lavishly.
The bullet wound left an eternal limp on her foot, but Saraswathi Rajamani was proud of this. It was like a memento of her exciting spy days! Netaji was quite delighted with her great escapade & lauded her lavishly.
The Japanese Emperor himself awarded her with a medal & also the rank of Lieutenant in The Rani of Jhansi Regiment! The young girl was ecstatic.
After the war
When the war was over & The British won,Netaji disbanded his INA.
He asked Saraswathi Rajamani & her friends to
After the war
When the war was over & The British won,Netaji disbanded his INA.
He asked Saraswathi Rajamani & her friends to
return to India.
The family of the brave girl donated all their wealth and came back to their country almost as paupers. Life was too difficult and poverty stricken. But their spirits remained undaunted.
Later, Rajamani continued contributing towards social causes.
The family of the brave girl donated all their wealth and came back to their country almost as paupers. Life was too difficult and poverty stricken. But their spirits remained undaunted.
Later, Rajamani continued contributing towards social causes.
For a long time, she lived alone in a small room surrounded by Netaji’s photos and fond memories of her kaku. Only in 2005 this veteran freedom fighter was given a small one room flat by the Chief Minister in the Tamil Nadu Housing Society!
It is believed she collected small
It is believed she collected small
pieces of cloths from tailors & stitched clothes for the poor, the old and orphans. When in 2006 disastrous floods struck Chennai, she donated her humble pension which she was drawing as freedom fighter.
Many freedom fighters especially, women hardly received recognition &
Many freedom fighters especially, women hardly received recognition &
Saraswathi Rajamani was one. The country, for which she had struggled so hard, must honour her with recognition and respect. She died of cardiac arrest on 13th January 2018, in Chennai.
Please read ...
womensweb.in
Please read ...
womensweb.in
Loading suggestions...