Science Fair Project Encyclopedia
Lakshmi Sehgal
Captain Doctor Lakshmi Sehgal, an India freedom fighter and politician. Born as Lakshmi Swaminathan on October 24 1914 in Madras.
In 1940 she travelled to Singapore to practice medicine there. She became one of the most popular and prosperous gynecologists in the city.
During the Second World War, Swaminathan became the Minister in charge of Women's Organization in Arzi Hukumate Azad Hind (Provisional Government of Free India), led by Subhash Chandra Bose. She held this portfolio over and above her command of the Rani Jhansi Regiment of the Indian National Army. The unit had the strength of a Brigade. In a regular army, this women's army unit was the first of its kind in Asia.
In March 1947 she married Prem Sehgal , also an INA leader, in Lahore. After the wedding they settled in Kanpur, were she retook her medicine practice.
In 1971 she joined the Communist Party of India (Marxist), and became a leader of the All India Democratic Womens Association.
In 1988 she was awarded the Padma Vibhushan award.
In 2002 four leftist parties (Communist Party of India (Marxist), Communist Party of India, Revolutionary Socialist Party and All India Forward Bloc) nominated her as a candidate in the presidential elections. She was the sole counter-candidate to the winning A.P.J. Abdul Kalam.
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