Wednesday, August 3, 2016

1997 : ARUNA ASAF ALI (1909 - 1996)



         Aruna Asaf Ali was born July 16 1909 on at Kalka , Punjab
         She was educated at Sacred Heart Convent, Lahore and All Saints College , Nainital and obtained her BA
         She joined the Indian National Congress in 1928 and actively participated in the independence movement (1928 – 1947). She was imprisoned by the British Raj during Civil Disobedience movement and Quit India movement
         She worked for the Socialist Party (1947 – 1950) and Communist Party of India (1950 – 1956) . She was elected he first Mayor of Delhi in 1958
         She founded and edited the Link Publications Delhi. She extensively and tirelessly worked for welfare of women and depressed classes
         She died on July 29 1996 at New Delhi aged 87 years.

Independence Activist
         She participated in the independence movement and hoisted the Indian National Congress flag despite a large police presence at Gowalia Tank maidan Bombay on August 09 1942 and began the Quit India movement. She directed the movement from underground for three years and is regarded as the Heroine of Quit India Movement.






Social welfare activist
       She worked tirelessly for the welfare of women, children and the depressed classes .She cofounded and headed the National Federation of Indian Women for several years.

Journalist
        She co founded and edited the Link Publications House which published the daily newspaper Patriot and the weekly magazine Link.

Awards
        The Government of India honoured her with the Padma Vibhushan in 1991 and Bharat Ratna in 1997.
        She also received the International Lenin Peace Prize in 1975 , Jawaharlal Nehru Award for International Understanding in 1991 , Indira Gandhi Award for National Integration in 1986.





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