A war heroine dies fighting government apathy
An IVT NEWS NETWORK tribute to Netaji's youngest solider Laxmi Indira Panda
Bhubaneswar, Oct. 6: Finally, - she fell in the battle field – not as tired and vanquished solider, – but as valiant heroine exposing the rotten faces of the society and people in power. Laxmi Indira Panda, one of the youngest soliders in Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose's Indian National Army (INA), passed away on Monday at All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi. She was 83.
Recruited to Ranj Jhansi Regiment of INA at an early age of 13, Panda had rigorous training in Burma (Myanmar). During the World War II, she displayed uncommon courage and volour in the battlefield, surprising the British forces.
The country got independence, but Laxmi continued to fight an unending, relentless battle against poverty and governmental apathy. The iron lady – who carried the heavy guns in war zones – had to eke out here living in Orissa's Jeypore town by working as a domestic maid. After death of her husband Khageswar Panda, she had to feed her children and grandchildren by washing utensils at different households.
Until August last, Laxmi was literarily gasping with her 10 family members in a dirty, dingy single-room house at Nagarchi lane. She appealed the state government several times for a piece of land and consolable means of livelihood, but in vain.
With poverty choking her voice everyday, Laxmi one day said: "I want to forget Kadam kadam badhaye ja, khushike geet gaye ja."
"This line was very close to my heart. I would murmur it and sing it in my every breath. But now I want to forget this line as it has lost its meaning for the people in the administrative set-up," she had said to describe the apathy of the people in power to understand her misery.
Apart from washing dishes, Laxmi sold dolls on a handcart on the streets of Jeypore town in the evening. Her son Surendra – who runs makeshift vegetable shop in the same town - earns around Rs 25 a day, insufficient sufficient for sustenance of the family.
Contemporaries of Laxmi in Jeypore still recount how Netaji suggested that she change her name. "There are so many Laxmis. Your captain's name is also Laxmi (Laxmi Sehgal). Netaji is believed to have told her, before suggesting a new name, Laxmi Indira Panda," say elderly people of Nagarchi lane.
Laxmi's last desire was to participate in the August 15 Independence Day ceremony at New Delhi. She was flown in to Delhi at the behest of the President Pratibha Devisingh Patil. The president received her with a warm welcome and ordered for a monthly pension of Rs 25,000. God had His own verdict. Before Laxmi got justice and her due, she breathed her last.
May her soul rest in peace.
Bhubaneswar, Oct. 6: Finally, - she fell in the battle field – not as tired and vanquished solider, – but as valiant heroine exposing the rotten faces of the society and people in power. Laxmi Indira Panda, one of the youngest soliders in Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose's Indian National Army (INA), passed away on Monday at All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi. She was 83.
Recruited to Ranj Jhansi Regiment of INA at an early age of 13, Panda had rigorous training in Burma (Myanmar). During the World War II, she displayed uncommon courage and volour in the battlefield, surprising the British forces.
The country got independence, but Laxmi continued to fight an unending, relentless battle against poverty and governmental apathy. The iron lady – who carried the heavy guns in war zones – had to eke out here living in Orissa's Jeypore town by working as a domestic maid. After death of her husband Khageswar Panda, she had to feed her children and grandchildren by washing utensils at different households.
Until August last, Laxmi was literarily gasping with her 10 family members in a dirty, dingy single-room house at Nagarchi lane. She appealed the state government several times for a piece of land and consolable means of livelihood, but in vain.
With poverty choking her voice everyday, Laxmi one day said: "I want to forget Kadam kadam badhaye ja, khushike geet gaye ja."
"This line was very close to my heart. I would murmur it and sing it in my every breath. But now I want to forget this line as it has lost its meaning for the people in the administrative set-up," she had said to describe the apathy of the people in power to understand her misery.
Apart from washing dishes, Laxmi sold dolls on a handcart on the streets of Jeypore town in the evening. Her son Surendra – who runs makeshift vegetable shop in the same town - earns around Rs 25 a day, insufficient sufficient for sustenance of the family.
Contemporaries of Laxmi in Jeypore still recount how Netaji suggested that she change her name. "There are so many Laxmis. Your captain's name is also Laxmi (Laxmi Sehgal). Netaji is believed to have told her, before suggesting a new name, Laxmi Indira Panda," say elderly people of Nagarchi lane.
Laxmi's last desire was to participate in the August 15 Independence Day ceremony at New Delhi. She was flown in to Delhi at the behest of the President Pratibha Devisingh Patil. The president received her with a warm welcome and ordered for a monthly pension of Rs 25,000. God had His own verdict. Before Laxmi got justice and her due, she breathed her last.
May her soul rest in peace.
posted by orissapolitics at 7:33 PM
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