It was
the second decade of the twentieth Century. A girl child was
born with a revolutionary blood in North Lakhimpur, a backward
place of then backward Assam. She was the great grand,
daughter of martyr Peoli Saikia who sacrificed his life for
the cause of India�s freedom. That Peoli Saikia�s son was
Betharam and Betharam Saikia�s son Rameswar Saikia�s was a
subdeputy collector of North Lakhimpur at that time. He was
the father of that girl child, who was born on 27th
March, 1915. Every one used to call as �Ma=Kon� whose
horoscopic name was �Menoka�. Her mother wanted to keep her
name as �Manashi� as this name has close resemblance with the
name �Menoka�. But she was suggested by somebody to choose a
name starting with the alphabet �P�. But before she came into
conclusion what name is appropriate �Puspa or Punya, Makon
told her name as Pushpalata in her first day at school. And
from that day she has been known as �Pushpalata� Pushapalata
Saikia.
Pushpalata started her formal education in a primary school of
Borpeta district of Assam as her father was posted there at
that time. It is notable that she plunged into the freedom
movement of India in 1921 when she was only six years old. She
actively participated in khadi circulation campaign and became
an active member of Sarkha Sangha. Pushpalata even led the
Baan sena. After she moved to Guwahati, she began her
studies in a L.P School started at the rented house of
Karmavir Nabin Chandra Bordoloi. After that she took
admission in Panbazar Girl�s High School. She used to go
school wearing a frock made up of home span Khadi cloth woven
by her mother.
Father
Rameswar Saikia and mother Swarnalta Saikia brought up their
three children with utmost care so that they could be well
educated and self reliant in life. Pushpalata had a brother
named Suren Saikia and a sister Majoni (Kalpita Duwarah) who
was almost eleven years younger to her.
Ever
enthusiastic, courageous and talented Pushpalata was a good
dancer. She used to sing Robindra Sangeet very melodiously.
She could recite with heartfelt feelings. She used to deliver
speech with booming voice. She could weave even dreams in her
handloom. For her self �defense she did acquire the technique
to climbing and swimming wonderfully. Studious Pushpalata
started writing short stories and article when she was in
Class-V or VI. Her Chinese dragon tales were published in �Arun�,
the only child magazine of that time. Since then she has been
writing poems and articles on various topics. Lazzawati Jha, a
congress worker, coming from Pune to Guwahati in 1926, was
amazed to see the amalgamation of so many virtues in that ten
years old girl,She was so much astonished that she wanted to
take Pushpalata along with her, But Pushpalata�s father did
not give his consent in this regard. Because, he believed that
she would acquire proper education staying in her own place.
Her intellectual growth in every step ascertained the faith of
her father on her capability. But unfortunately he could not
live long to see his daughter�s achievement. In 1930,
Pushpalata�s father, Sub Deputy collector Rameswar Saikia took
his last breath suffering from high blood pressure while he
was on duty. For the first time, that fifteen years old girl
received a shock in the hand of destiny. In 1930, while the
whole country became tumultuous with the news of the hang
order of Bhagat Singh, Pushpalata was the secretary of
Chatree Sangha (Girl�s student club) of Panbazar High
school. At the same time Motilal Nehru also died. To protest
against the hang order and to attend the condolence of Motilal
Nehru, the members of Chatree Sangha of Panbazar Girl�s
High School assembled in the Curzon Hall. Except the five �six
year old daughter of the Principal of Cotton College, all girl
students spontaneously came out to attend the meeting held in
the Curzon Hall. Though no agitation ultimately required,
Pushpalata as a secretary of the girl�s club was accused of
instigating the girls and she was expelled from the school. It
was also told that if she could produce a letter from her
guardian with a promise of never to be involved in these kinds
of activities in future, she would be exempted from
punishment. But her mother Swarnalata Saikia, a women with
rare dignity, refused to write that kind of litter to send her
daughter back to school. AS a result Pushpalata�s education in
Panbazar High School came to an end. This experience surly
taught her the lesson of the importance of self respect in
life.And here in the beginning of the fifteen year old girls�
non-cooperation with British Government. The demand of the
withdrawal of the hang order of Bhagat Singh was sounded all
around in India but the hang order of Bhagat Singh was sounded
all around in India but the British Government denied of
fulfill the demand. They even rejected the humble request of
Gandhiji in this regard. Moved by the whole situation,
Pushpalata along with some of her friends took the oath in
writing sitting in a room of Kamrup Mahila Samittee
library-�Dictates of the time is the dictates of our motion-
Freedom of India would be our only motto until India gets
independence�.Under these words of oath all four girls put
their signature with their blood-Punya Prabha Barua (Rajkhowa)
Sarala Saxena, Jyotshna Mazumder, Pushpalata Saikia (Das).Pushpalata
had learnt to burn the needle to pick blood from Dr.
Bhubanswar Baruah, Pushpalata step into acquire the lessons of
struggle of life after dismissal from formal education in
Panbazar girl�s high school in March,1931. Multi � talented
Pushpalata could win a prize in spinning competition in 1933.
She also received the prestigious-Auniati Satradhikar Award
in the state level essay writing completion in 1934. Her
mother Swarnalata was the source of inspiration for all hers
works. Under the care of her mother, she could excel in games,
instrumental music, recitation, oration, dance etc.
Swarnalata Saikia, while she was the secretary of Kamrup
Mahila Samittee brought the magazine �Arthik Jagat� from
Kolkata so that women of Assam could obtain proper knowledge
of economics and become self-reliant. Moreover she tried her
best to bring most of the magazine to the Mahila Samittee
library published in Bengal and Uttar Pradesh. She showed the
instance of integration by appointing Begum.Tayabulla and Miss
P.Rasul together as joint secretary and Kalicharan Sen as the
president in Kamrup Mahila Samittee.It was her mother who sow
the seeds of patriotism in her tender mind. During the
Swadeshi Movement seeing her mother throwing foreign cloths in
fire Pushpalata asked her mother-�You said Gandhiji is a very
nice person. Why did he ask to put fire in these clothes?�Her
mother explained the reason in the language of an innocent
child-�The things which should be abandoned must not be kept
with us. Sometime we may be tempted to use them if we do so.
If we completely destroy them and take an oath not to use them
again, we can go forward with new enthusiasm�.This woman
reminded Dr. Bhubanswar Baruah about his duty for his country
people while Edruze Sahab wanted to take him to Africa for
welfare activity in that country, That is why Dr. Baruah used
to call her �Gurudev� sportingly. Even Karmabari Nabin Chandra
Bordoloi, Deshabhakta Tarunram Phukon etc. also used to show
grandfather British Government because, it was the
exploitation of these British for which their fore father had
to sacrifice his life living in the prison. Holy blood of
patriotism has been flowing in the vein of Pushpalata, the
great grand-daughter of revolutionary Peoli Saihia.
Swarnalata Saikia, the only protector and the source of
strength and inspiration, of these three fatherless children,
took her last breath in 1934 cherishing the dream of India�s
independence in her heart. Pushpalata was only nineteen years
old at that time. Her mother�s valuable advice, she received
while her mother was in death bed, were her guidance for her
life�s the country until it gets its freedom, my soul will
rest in peace� Broadminded mother also told her that though
she is a girl, marriage should not be her only aim in life.
Music and literature can be made companion of life. She wanted
Pushpalata to marry an ideal man with an attitude of sacrifice
if she decides to marry in life.Those valuable advice given by
her mother was always kept alive in her inner mindscape.
Ebracing her brother and sister at the death of her mother,
Pushpalata took an oath by heart that she would fulfill the
wishes of her mother
After
her mother�s death, Pushpalata went to Benaras Hindu
University having passed the Matriculation. Her amazing talent
sparkled during this period. She met Miss Durgabai Deshmukh
during her stay in Banaras University. That woman filled up
the empty space of her mother. Conferring love and care she
became her guardian and occupying the place of her mother she
began to indicate the direction of her life�s boat Pushpalata
got the opportunity to put into practice of all her learning
such as recitation, dance , singing etc, she learnt from her
mother, at that time. She took part in the national level
debating and recitation competition both in Hindi and English
held in Banaras Hindu University. The topic of the debate was
��Idealism and Realism in literature�. Amongst the poems given
for recitation were-�Bharat Tirtha�, �Bandi-Vir� and �Urvashi�.
That occasion was presided over by Kabiguru Rabindranath
Tegore. The sweetness of his composition mesmerized her
emotions and sensitivity. Submerged in patriotism she recited-
�O my
soul, awake slowly in this holy pilgrim�s place
Where
India�s greatness reigns before the ocean�s space
I
spread my arms here, I renew and worship God in man.
His
praise repeats��
She
again recited with amour thrill-
�Neither a mother, nor a daughter
Not
even a wife in an earthly home
O�
fair Urvashi you are a denizen of heaven!�
She
could present patriotic feelings and original sweetness of the
poem with fluent Bengali pronunciation so beautifully that
Pushpalata could win the first prize amongst so many
participants. Moreover she won prizes in debating competition
held in English, Hindi and Bengali medium. She could receive
warm welcome standing on the stage with elegant wearing
beautiful Assamese attire. She received profuse appreciation
from the students coming from different parts of the country.
She stood out as an unique personality amongst that erudite
crowd.
Graduated from Andhra University in 1936 and Post graduated in
Political Science in 1938. Pushpalata had been very closely
associated with Indian�s freedom movement and art and culture
of south India till 1939. She received tremendous appreciation
by writing two dance-dramas ��Amritprabha� and �Chitralekha�,
in response of Durgabai Deshmukh in Madras, based on the
background of Assam history.
In 1939,
coming back to Assam, she enrolled her name as a student in
Earl Law College. In the next year, she was elected as the
union Secretary. In 1938-39, she was a vice-president of Assam
Student Federation. Pushpalata, who had had been longing for
the freedom of India by heart, had to undergo imprisonment
after she joined �Satryagraha� while she was a union secretary
of the law college. But after she was released from prison she
did not come back to the law college as a student. She
received lots of invitation from various schools and colleges
from Assam, but her conscious yearning of freedom of India
brought her to political world and she engaged herself as an
organizer women wing of congress.
From
1940 to 1942, as a member of the woman branch of National
Planning Committee in Mumbai she engaged herself with various
works of the committee along with Bijoy Lakshmi Pandit and
Mridula Sarabhai . Mridula Sarabhai wanted her to keep in
Gujarat but she came back Assam as in Assam women workers
were very less in number and just after coming back as a joint
secretary with social worker Amalprabha Das , made could
realize at that time that woman of Assam have great courage in
them. But they are ignorant their own strength.
Besides,creating awareness amongst the women moving one after
another village personally, Pushpalata. Also tried her best to
make women awake their dormant strength by her writing. She
used to give speeches in village after village with high pitch
. She talked of their dormant strength and infused courage in
them.
In the
process of making India free from the bondage of subjugation,
Pushpalata herself entered into a different bondage �bondage
of marriage with a revolutionary gentleman Amiyo Kumar Das on
24th February 1942. Amiyo Kumar Das wanted to avoid
opulence in their marriage ceremony but he could not prevent
the opulence of heartfelt good wish from thousands of these
two great personalities. Rajabari field of Guwahati was Jam
packed with the presence of their well wisher. Nobody waited
to receive any formal invitation. From that day Pushpalata
Saikia became Pushpalata Das.They stepped into the conjugal
life with bountiful of blessing from countless well wishes. A
generous man with distinguished personality became
Pushpalata�s life partner as desired by her mother.
Amiyo
Kumar Das was a leader in the freedom movement, a faithful
friend of deprived community, a good adviser, excellent
orator, Journalist and renowned litterateur. Following the
path a Gandhiji he tried to serve his country whole heartedly.
His translation of Gandhi�s �My experiment with Truth�
into Assamese is his remarkable contribution to Assamese
literature. Pushpalata had to move the Tezpur along with her
husband due to the transfer of his place of work. In Sonitpur
she got acquainted with the workers through her husband and
Vijoy Chandra Bhagawati and they planned planning new agenda
for the freedom struggle. They plunged into the movement with
new enthusiasm and firm determination to break free their
motherland from the grip of the foreigners. During that time
Pushpalata met Jyotiprashed Agarwala as her co-worker. She
also came into contact with the Satradhikar (head monk) of
Nikamul Satra, Gahan Chandra Goswami, Mahadev Sharma, Biswadev
Sharma and may other devoted workers,. She was overwhelmed by
seeing their simplicity, eagerness and their commitment. The
light of hope for freedom brightened up. Especially getting
the artist, litterateur poet dancer, political personage like
Jyoti Prashad Agarwala as her co worker, she became delighted.
Jyotiprashad everything regarding their agenda with her only.
She also used to seek advice from him considering him her own
brother �in-law. It is notable that there was a close
resemblance in their opinion. In 1942 she met Jyotiprashad as
an artist as well a revolutionary.
In the
same year 1942 when the whole country was flooded with the
wave of freedom it also touched the heart of the people of
Assam and all the revolutionaries of India formed a new party
based on non-violence resistance to work for the freedom of
the country. The workers of the movement were divided into two
group after �� Santi Bahini� and �Mrityu Bahini�. Many
workers, group after group joined the party. Powerful
speeches, leaders moved the workers with hope of freedom Boys
and girls below eighteen years were prohibited to join the
Mrityu Bahini (Death Army). Surprisingly a fourteen years old
girl from Gohpur came to Pushpalata with an urge to join in
�Mrityu Bahini. Thousand advice and prohibition of Pushpalata
failed to deviate her from her firm determination . May be it
was the illuminating speeches of Pushpalata Das that
encouraged her to sacrifice her life for the great cause of
India�s freedom. This fourteen years girl was no other but
Kanaklata, Gentle, courageous Kanaklata appealed with
humility-� Baideu, please let me join the Mrityu Bahini. I
shall keep the glory of the flag intact sacrificing my life if
needed �. Untimely she was given the permission to join after
a long discussion having been failed to forbid the unrest
desire of the girls . Pushpalata was supposed to lead the
procession of Gagpur Police Station. But Kanaklata forcefully
occupied that position and Jyotiprased and others also told
Pushpalata that police might hesitate to fire if they saw a
young girl in the front. So, Pushpalata decided to lead
procession in Dhekiajulee, Leaving her place to Kanaklata with
respect to her heartiest desire It was planned to hoist Indian
flag in all the police stations in the same day. Jyotiprasad
was an underground worker at that time. He supposed to go to
Kolkata sending Pushpalata to Dhekiajulee . But Pushpalata got
a news that her husband Amiyo Kumar Das was seriously ill.
Mrs. Das thought of visiting her husband in Tezpur on her way
to Dhekiajulee but everybody did forbid her to start her
journey at night and advised her wait till down. In the
morning on her way to Tezpur, she came to know that police had
been waiting to arrest her. Coming to Tezpur, she came to know
that the news of her husband�s illness was not true, it was
rather a conspiracy.
Kanaklata readily led the procession with much enthusiasm and
proceeded to hoist the flag, Within no time, the tender body
of that fourteen year old girl smashed with the bullets from
the guns of British army. Kanaklata handed over the flag to
one of his companion to save the flag from failing down. She
did not cease to walk forward with fear of death by British
firing. She kept the honour of the flag intact with her
strong determination and devotion. The drops of the red blood
young Kanaklata splashed over the pages of history.
The news
of Kanaklata made Pushpalata burst into tears with extreme
pain . At that time she was in prison as she had been arrested
after her entry in Tezpur . She had been in solitary
confinement for three and half years . She was transferred to
Jorhat prison by ship after keeping her in Tezpur prison for
one month. She was kept in a cell fenced with bamboo and her
bed was also made of bamboo. As a result she suffered from
severe cough problem and she was shifted for medical treatment
doubting tuberculosis.
Jail
visitors Dulal Bhattachayya and few others told her that they
would arrange a spinning wheel for her in the prison to pass
her time. That was the time when she was in the Tezpur prison.
Few days later the spinning wheel came . She used to spin
cotton sitting in the lonely prison keeping aside the sheets
of small papers she got in the cotton wisps. In one sheet she
suddenly noticed a number and leaving aside her spinning work
she began to collect papers from the wisps and joined the
numbers. She received lost of news of firing in Gohpur. The
news of Kanaklata�s death was an unbearable one that made her
shedding tears alone in the jail. She was consoled by some
news sent to her applying amazing technique. In prison it was
quite impossible to meet someone or to read any news papers.
In their
conjugal life, Pushpalata and Amiyo Kumar Das could hardly
spend time together. Sometime they used to meet amidst poor
villagers, sometime in prison and rarely at home. Actually
they hardly had a home of their own. Mr. Das used to stay with
his maternal uncle while he was in Tezpur. In Guwahati he used
to stay in the residence of Dr. Bhubanewar Baruah, uncle of
Pushpalata and in other place, people used to make arrangement
for him. His plot of land in Dhekiajulee was given the him by
a man from tea tribe. The Das couple did so much for the
welfare of the tea tribe that they used to consider them their
God. In that plot of land a house was built with reed by
people. That property was donated for the �social welfare�
after his death according to the wishes of Mr. Das. That
property is now a handicraft training center for the
economically backward tribes, labourers and women to provide
adequate education for their self resistance.
In
January 1947, in a special confidential meeting of the All
India Congress Committee held in Delhi wherein Pandit
Jawaharlal Nehru put forward his argument in favour of
sovereignty in the hand of federal court, Pushpalata Das
speaking on behalf of Assam, stunned everybody with her strong
argument against Mr. Nehru�s views in her fiery speech.
Aruna
Ashraf Ali gave her a warm hug when she came down from the
stage after her speech . She expressed the agony of Assam with
emotion and sulkiness using soothing and restraint language in
such a way that it could shake the Congress Working Committee
of that time. After her speech, Pandit Nehru saved Assam from
its inclusion to Pakistan by taking an amending proposal by
Purushuttam Das. Tendon . Already Gopinath Bordoloi also had
informed the mental agitation of the people of Assam to the
working committee.
In 1948,
when both Amiya Kumar Das and Pushpalata Das were invited to
join constituent assembly, Mr. Das was not in favour of that
proposal Indicating some instances of couples joining
assembly, he stayed back promoting his wife with an intension
to work with a grass root worker , Eventually, he had to join
due to his wife�s decision not to join the assembly. Their
thoughts and perceptions were very clear and impartial. They
be lived that they should give chance to other workers too
instead of going both of them together to the assembly.
In 1948,
Pushpalata gave birth to her first and only child Jeu (Nandini).
She now occupied with a new sweet experience of bringing up
her child coming from her busy schedule of political and
social works. Due to her excessive work pressure and various
problems during her pregnancy, the weight of her newly born
baby was only two and half pound. Her aunt Induprabha Baruah
and uncle Dr. Bhubanswar Baruah tried their level best to
bring up the little child keeping her amidst cotton balls.
In 1951,
Mrs. Pushpalata Das was elected as an M.P. to Rajiyasabha for
the first time from Shillong. Second time she was elected from
Tezpur. She had been serving as MP for ten years in total.
They used to live a very simple life even while Mr. Das was a
minister of Assam ministry. They used to spend major amount of
their salary for the welfare of the society and kept only a
small portion for themselves. The simple life they used to
lead was known and admired by all.
In 1958,
Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi coming to
Guwahati to attend Pandu Congress Conference searched for
Pushpalata Das in the airport and they sent a message to meet
them. Pandit Nehru was very pleased to meet her. Indira Gandhi
requested her to be a member of working committee,but
Pushpalata objected with a fear of losing the power of
speech. But Indira Gandhi comforted her by saying � If you
sometime feet like that you may come out. But now an honest
and devoted worker like you is very much needed and that is
why I am requesting you again and again. Ultimately she
became a member of the working committee responding the
constant request from the congress workers of Assam. She was
also requested to take the responsibility of Parliament
Secretary and Deputy Minister. But she declined those
proposals as she be lived that other workers should also get
some opportunity to serve the county.
Pushpalata Das had the capacity of delivering her lecture
using sweet poetic language.. While she was in Rajya Sabha,
she used to express her strong resolutions using soft language
. As an orator she has been occupying a distinct place in
Assam as an well in India. She visited many country of East-
Europe as a delegate of Indian Government whiles she was a
member of parliament . She brought back glory and honour to
the country visiting Czechoslovakia, Bulgaria, Romania,
Poland, Italy, Egypt, West Germany, French, England and many
places of Saudi Arabia in 1959.
The
lecture she delivered centering round the problems of language
agitation in Assam in 1960 created strong reaction both inside
and outside the country, she presented in her speech in
parliament could shake both inside and outside the country.
Then Home Minister Govind Ballav Pant appreciated her speech
as a �� remarkable speech .�Dr Nihar Ranjan Rai, MP from
Bengal also praised her speech as �� Wonderful speech.�
Another MP from Maharashtra commented-� When Mrs. Das stood I
could guess that it would be a �dignified speech . You have
attacked the anti Assam leaders of Bengal, but there is no
bitterness in the speech and it is in this that lies the
magnanimity of the speech. P.S.P leader of Rajya Sabha Atin
Basu went forward as soon as she finished her speech and
said��I could not life my head and shame. Our forefathers have
done same injustice, for which we are suffering now... On
behalf of all Bengali people I beg forgiveness from Mrs. Das,��
Bhupesh Gupta remarked � �Whole speech seemed to be a poem��.
Eminent Journalist and MP of that time Sapalakanta
Bhjattacharjee said-� A speech flew down from his eye
listening to the speech of Pushpalata Das. It is notable that
Bhattacharjee was known as Anti- Assam leader at that time.
Many news papers presented that news with headline as� �
Fought like Mulagabharu�. Heaps of letters from Assam went to
her carrying so much praise and appreciation Nalinibala Devi,
Satradhikar (Chief monk) of Garamur Satra etc also sent
letters of appreciation to her. Assam Kesori Ambika Giri
Raichoudhury wrote to Pushpalata Das- In Rajyasabha, you with
fearless eligibility showing zent spoke out the heart & mind
of exploited Assamese and created astonishment in whole India
and by thus you set an instance of the humanistic attitude of
courageous daughter of Assam� you are praiseworthy for that
��� Whole Assamese nation is deified. She is Pushpalata with a
unique personality.
Pushpalata, very simple by nature with honest and strong
personality, was taken into very much confidence and faith by
the Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, and it ia
expressed in various incidents. Many rumors were in air during
the time of Assamese language Agitation and these were
published in the news paper of both Assam and Bengal. The
panic situation created by these rumors made many people
refugees. To convey the real truth to the refugees and to send
them to their respective homes, Prime Minister Nehru sent
Indira Gandhi and Pushpalata Das to Koch Bihar by the airplane
gifted to him by Russia which was almost like a house with an
office room, dining room and a bed room too. Sucheta
Kripalini, Abha Mairty and Lala Ashinta Ram also had already
arrived Koch Bihar. They saw that a maddened crowd of young
boys were waiting in the air port. They could guess the evil
intention of the crowd and Indira Gandhi therefore instructed
the pilot to park the plane left after they had landed. When
Ashintyaram and other officers came forward, the group of boys
approached them breaking the security check. Drunk , maddened
boys had two black sarees in their hand. One was for Indira
Gandhi tore the saree with her teeth given to her with a very
dirty gesture. With high security the police immediately look
Gandhi to the circuit house leaving Pushpalata alone in
hurry. The whole incident happened so suddenly that nobody
noticed that Puspalata was left along. Pushpalata Das also
realized it only after they had left. Without any deep
speculation , when she stepped forward that ferocious group
surrounded her and asked whether she is Pushpalata Das.
Immediately after her positive answers, a boy rushed to pull
Pushpalata Das without showing any anger or bitterness gazed
at the red eyes of the boys with a soft look grasping her
breasts with her hands. There prevailed a silence for a
moment. Suddenly a tall, long haired drunk boy came to her and
protecting her with his hands shouted in Bengali � No, No I
would never allow mother to be insulted . I will protect her
honour. Don�t come forward.� The voice was weak but
emotional and confident. It seems some miracle has happened.
All other boys stepped back. Now Pushpalata Das stepped
forward to the circuit house without any obstacle, without any
fear. The whole crowd also followed her. They enquired whether
the news of heinous killings is true or not. Pushpalata tried
to convince them that the news is more rumors to create
sensation amongst people. She also urged- �If you want to
visit those place to know the truth. I would request
government to bring you there. You can pay an appeal today
itself to Indira Gandhi residing in the circuit house.�
The Group of boys returned quietly leaving. Pushpalata in the
circuit house. Already an uproarious situation occurred when
all realized that they left Pushpalata amongst mob. Indira
Gandhi sent people to search her and out of tension when she
herself was about to go out Pushpalata stepped in the Varanda
of the circuit house. This shows what a unique personality
Pushpalata Das was.
During
the time of Chinese aggression in 1962, Amiyo Kumar Das and
Pushpalata Das stayed back alone in desolate Dhekiajulee,
Tezpur. Those who had the capacity and even the leaders, head
and administrators of the country left for different place
like Guwahati, Delhi etc: wherever they could go . Before the
left the political leaders advised Amiyo Kumar Das to leave
Dhekiajulee as they feared that if they were caught by the
enemy, they might be tortured violently for secret
information. But Mr. and Mrs. Das did not go anywhere and
objected to leave their people in such a measurable condition.
They visited many houses of the workers and appealed them not
to be emigrant leaving their homes with fear. They suggested
that if war breaks they should go inside the village. If
required, they should defend themselves being united. Even if
the owner, manager leave, he urged the workers to continue
their work. Taking the pain of distributing ration amongst the
labours, they inserted courage and mental strength in them to
stay back in tea gardens. During those days in Tezpur,
currencies were burnt, mileposts, houses were destroyed. In
such one midnight at around 2 o�clock, somebody knocked at the
door of Pushpalata Das�s house. Assuming somebody from Chinses
Arm force, Mr Das opened the door without hesitation. But he
was surprised to see Indira Gandhi and Jashpal Kapoor in this
threshold. In their cottage they have no arrangement to offer
them proper hospitality (Fooding & Lodging). But Pandit
Jawaharilal Nehru sent his daughter Indira Gandhi to meet only
Pushpalata and Amiyo Kumer Das. He said � Stay there until
Assam is rescued. Already Fakaruddin Ali Ahmed Saheb and
Tripathi Saheb went to Shilling. They story of Pushpalata Das
who used to work without food and sleep for making the mental
strength of people intact was published prominently in
�Breeze� news paper. Going back, Indira Gandhi broadcasted the
devotion and courage of Pushpalata Das again and again
through radio.
After
staying ten years in Rajya Sabha, Mrs. Das kept herself away
from active politics for five years and engaged herself to
work for the betterment of the poor along with her response to
the ceaseless requests of people, in 1967 Pushpalata contested
from Dhekiajulee constituency and was elected to state
assembly. Since then they permanently settled privileged
people around.
In 21
January, 1975 Pushpalat Das went to Guwahati with her husband
Amiyo Kumar Das. Next day on 22th they attended a couple of
meeting . On 23rd January Amiyo Kumar Das suddenly
died of coronary Thromphosis in his son-in-law�s place. A
woman who stood bold in front of any kind of adverse situation
was hurt severely at the death of her life partner Amiyo Kumar
Das . She could not imaging such a disaster in her life.
Ever
courageous and strong Pushpalata was shacked with the
unbearable trauma of the loss of her husband who had been her
companion in both of her life and struggle. She never even
imagined that their happy conjugal life would end so
unexpectedly. In the ears of Pushpalata, who became dumb and
motionless after that shock, her husband seemed to remind her
duty. She again engaged herself in her duty to serve the
society. She donated her property in Dhekiajulee to �Welfare
home� for the poor according to the wishes of her husband. She
even returned back Rs.5000 given by government for the death
ceremony of her husband. This time she served the society
staying away from active politics. Apple�s eye of the society
Pushpalata Das was wanted raptly by many organizations.
Therefore she had to be a member of �Shillong Mahila Samittee�
member of �Bharat Sewak Samaj�. Honorary President of T.B.
Association, a member of APCC, Chairperson of Khadi Gramadyog
borad, Member of Kasturba Ashram , Chairperson of Assam
Savings Board, member of the Court of Dibrugarh University,
member of women Wing of Planning commission, member of Central
Social Welfare Advisory Board, member of the All India Radio,
Guwahati and Delhi and member of East India Mission picture�s
Sensor Board.
The
writing of Pushpalata Das outstanding. From a very young age,
she used to contribute to be periodicals like �Arun� and
�Akon� later she wrote many valuable articles in the pages of
�Bahi�, �Asom Sewak� , Jayanti�, �Navajyog�, �Natun Asomiya�,
Dainik Asom�, Asom Bani�, Saptahik Nilachal�, Prakash, Lokayar�,
etc. Amongst Chandraprabha� (rebelChanddrapaba) it noteworthy.
In her style of writing there is a articles characteristic
which is distinctively her own .We find some rare information
in her biographical like ��Silent Rebal Vinoba�, :Future of
Assam in the thoughts of Medhi�, �The man Bhupesh Gupta�,
�the man I respected from heart� (Amiyo Kumaer Das),�Whose
life itself is a poem� (on Dimbeswar Neog), �Benudhar, who
became history within history� etc. Her language is very
smooth and lucid. Her language with poetic touch always
reveals a realistic picture in front of the eyes of the
readers.
Pushpalata �s article on Chandraprabha Saikiani , with whom
she worked together , �Rebel Chandraprbha� is a well written
and a very precious one. On demand of many it an illustrative
one. National book trust took the responsibility of
publishing it but unfortunately it has not been published
till date . it is notable that eminent litterateur Nirupana
Borgohain wrote the beautiful novel �Abhijatri � on the basis
of this article by Pushpalata Das which could bag the
prestigious Salutya Academi Award, she wrote more than two
hundred articles in English, Hindi and Assamese. There would
have been a number of books if we could compile her articles
scattered in various magazine and news paper. For Pushpalta
Das, who used to be busy and lived a lonely life. It was quite
impossible to preserve her valuable literary creations. Many
of her articles are lost due to the lake of proper
preservation . only few pages of some of her articles have
been found. The news papers containing her article are also
not with her at present as those were transferred to different
hands .
Her
available articles are-
1.
Swadhinata Andolonot Mahillar Sahayog
(Cooperation of women in freedo. Movemen to (Om Shanti,
Souvenir of sunitpur District Committee, Tezpur,1994).
2.
Gandhijir Sadhana
(practice of Gandhji) (Poyudhora , October, 1994).
3.Vinobajir Jivan aru Darshan ( Life and Philosophy of
Vinubaji)
4.
Samyayogi Samajir Pratik � 18th April
(The symbol of Eglitarian Society -18th April).
5.Agrajor
Drishtit Yobati -Yobati
( Young stars in the eyes of seniors)
112.
Antarjyatik Mahila Basarat Asomor Nari Samaje Kenebhabe Kamot
Agborha Uchit (How women of Assam should go forward in the
International Women Year.)
113.
Gandhiji aru Ganatantra ( Gandhiji and Republic)
114.
Sikshak Divasar Kathare (In the words of Teacher�s
Day)
115.
1949 Sonor Bidai Kalot ( In the moment of the farewell of
1949)
116.
Mukti yodha Laskheswar Barua Devar Smritit (In memory of
Freedom
fighter Lakheswar Barua)
117.
Dr. Kanak Chandra Barua Sannidhyat ( In company of Dr.
Kanak Chandra Barua)
118.
Ejon Mukti Jujarur Drishtie Swadhinatar Panchash Basar (Fifty
years of India�s Freedom through the eyes of a freedom
fighter.)
119.
The heritage of Assam in a nut- shell
120.
Gandhiji � �a writer
121.
Women Martyrs of Assam.
122.
Assamese Women and her status in society.
123.
Gandhiji Beauty of his teaching
124.
Nehru ji � �As I knew hm.
125.
Assam � A profile.
126.
The role of Assamese Women in the freedom movement
127.
Maitri Vinobaji�s last message for Assam.
128.
Problem of unwanted child
129.
Life in the city- The Vagrant dwellers.
130.
Handicraft of Assam � �Its Past, Present and Future
131.
Glimpses of Assam
132.
Letter to Jayram Das Daulatram
133.
Secularism
134.
Kanaklata
135.
An Old Letter
136.
The Values that Nehru stood for.
137.
Chandraprabha Saikiani-Flame of Revolt
138.
Swadhraprabha Suruj (The sunbeam of freedom)
This is
not the complete list of her publications. Radio Talk and
interviews are not include here. Her writings for children are
also not mentioned here. Only a few articles received are
cited here.
Amongst
her creative literary words. �Contribution of Women in Indian
Literature� is a precious one. She writes in the beginning of
the article ���. Art is the outcome of human endeavor directed
for creative beauty.: Again she writes- �Pursuit of truth,
love for God and Worship of Beauty is source of the creator.
The epics were created in the world till then, until when a
nation could celebrate this art of devotion.� In an article on
gender equality, she writes-�How far it is possible to take
initiative in the literary world can be proved by women of
past and present. Verses of Verses of Veda were written and
chanted by women in this India, Recollecting the memories of
those days when both men and women used to take part equally
in knowledge and religious discussions , she write- � The
glory of Indian women had been neglected until the history
abandoned days in spite of the birth of legendary women like �Debahuti,
Viswawara, Lupamudra, Aitreyee, Gargi, Maitrayee etc. in this
nation. But these incidents do not reflect any lack of
capability, it rather reflects an absence of favorable
condition.� While going to take the names of some legendary
women who overcame the social restrictions even in an
non-independent country and could shine with their talent, she
takes the name of Pandita Rama Bai Saraswat . She sats- � Rama
Bai without any school or college education could occupy the
position of professor in European college. She was the
juncture between the education of East and West. The flow of
her writing could flood both Eastern and Western world. Mrs.
Das also writes about the awakening brought by 16th
century Vaishnava movement to the lives of women of Bengal.
�That
time brought a kind of fertility to the thought and mind of
Bengali women . In the Vaishnavite literature of that period,
the names like Sita Devi, Jahnabi, Vishnupriya, Madhvi,
Gangamoni, Chandrewati, Anandamoyee, Priyongboda, Vaijayonti
and Jaminee are especially notable.� Mentioning about the
contribution of Thakur family of Jura Saku to the development
of literature music and art of Bengal, she write � �The first
women novelist of Bengal Swarna Kumari Devi was born in this
great family� In 1876 her first novel �Deep-Nirban� was
published. Her multifaceted talent was not confined to writing
novel only. She wrote a number of short story , drama, poem
and songs. After Swarna Kumari Devi, many women writer emerged
in Bengal. Amongst them, Nirupama Devi, Anurupa Devi, Indira
Devi, Sita Devi, Shanta Devi, Prabhawati Devi, Saraswati etc.
are notable. In poetic literature Taru tutt, Sarujini Naidu,
Kamini Rai, Jashu Kumari Basu, Radhasani Dutta�s contributions
are remarkable . Kamini Rai�s � Alu�s O Saya � is still
glittering in the Bengal literature. The literary works of the
poetess Sri Bharti Sarabhai from Gujarat enriched both
Guajarati and English literature. Pushpalata mentions that
Head lecturer of JyoktPradesh Prayag Mahila Vidyapith,
Ex-editor of �Channd� magazine and the reviver of lyrical poem
in Hindi literature Mahadevi Verma is a remarkable writer in
English. Her poem books Nihar, Nirja, Rashmi, Sandhyageet
etc. are delightful contributions to the Hindi literature. Mrs
. Das writes �� A different kind of sentiment is found in the
poems of Subhadra Kumari . This ternd inclusion of this heroic
sentiment is started by her for the first time in Hindi
literature. It is- which style was flown by this women for
the first time in Hindi literature. Her�Jhansi Ki Rani� poem
is a good expel of this �Vira Rasha� (heroic sentiments ).
Pushpalata discusses the short story and article writers,
poet, critic like Sivarani Premchand , Vidyawati Kokeel, Tara
Pandey, Usha Mitra, Sumira Sinha, Satyawati Moulik and
Sakuntala Suri from Panjab in her work. Amongst those who
introduced a new kind enthusiasm and thoughts in literature,
Mrs. Das takes the name of Mrs. Kamala Devi from Karnataka,
Durgabai from Andhra Pradesh, Kamalabai Tilak from Maharashtra
and Sarala Devi from Orissa. She writes �� Sarala Devi is an
illustrious writer in Oriya literature�. She has contributed
to Bengali literature too. Though there were many women
writers in Tamil literature for original flow of thoughts,
writers like Kamala Satinathan , Rukmini Devi, and Lakhi Anna
have been occupying special position in the field of Tamil
literature. Women writes like Lali Kutte and Sridevi with
their works have enriched Malayalam literature with so many
resources. A few women writers like Raja Soni, Janki Bai,
Lalita Devi and others enriched the Telegu literary by
investing it with aesthetic essence.�She writes about Assamese
women in her article that like women of various parts of
India, women society of Assam also has been contributing a
great deal to the literary world of Assam with their utmost
capacity. After Late Padmawati and Saraswati Devi of Jonaki
period, we get the trace of potes and writers like-Rajeswari
Khatoniar, Dharmeswari Devi, Hemala Baruah, Hemaprabha Das,
Nalinibala Devi and many others. Late Kamalaya Kakoti and
Kanaklata Chaliha used to encourage Assamese women to step
into the world of literature through the monthly periodical �Gharjeuti�.
Chandraprabha Saikiani besides directing Abhijatri earned
name and fame for her articles, novels, short stories and
poem. Amongst the modern women writers some have carried a ray
of hope to Assamese literature with their healthy and strong
expressions. The growth of both original writings and
translation literature can enrich a language. Mrs. Das
believes that fine art is inseparably related to all aspects
of Assamese women�domestic, social and political life.Assamese
women would be able to lead Assamese literature to an
outstanding position by adding splendor and brightness with
their continuous literary practice for which there is need of
earnestness and hard work. Though this articles were written
years back, Mrs. Das�s in � depth study and well-ascertained
expressions reflected in the article has considerable
significance in the present scenario.
In her
article � Universality of Gita� Pushpalata writes- �A
small book like Gita has been a light house for human race
since five thousand years. Scientists in science books,
litterateur in literature, Saints in holy books put forward
their own respective views and critical analysis. And it is
Gita from which all �whether he is a Scientist,
litterateur, saint, social worker or a revolutionary receive
inspiration. Speaking about the importance of Gita in the
critical situation of present time, she says-� Human existence
is jeopardized at present due to the extroversion of physical
science. People are restless today. Life is becoming complex
day by day due to hatred and distrust for each other. With the
confluence of inward and outward observation can only make the
manifestation of humanity possible. People of this world now
have found this source of fulfillment in the pages of Gita.
Pushpalata Das believes that the holy teachings of Gita not
only satisfy the spiritual thirst, it also enlightens the
thoughtful minds of all over the world. She quotes famous
remarks of the Ex-Vice President of Yugoslavia Milborne
Visualise ������. �One cannot be a revolutionary in true
sense, if he/she does not have ideas on the immortality of
soul.�
Martyr
Bhagat Singh standing in front of the gallows said- �Body is
mortal but soul is Immortal. And with this mortal body one can
perform his duties and there by can perceive our immortal
soul. I gained this knowledge from mother Gita�.
Pushpalata Das, citing many thought provoking quotes from
various great personalities eastablishes the value of Gita in
human life. Mrs. Das tell us how T.S.Eliot, the father of
modern English poetry, remarks on the magnaimitynof the
Gita. He Said that there are only two portical works of
supreme order on this earth � one is the Bhagawat Gita
and another is Divine Comedy by Danta.She tries to
prove the wide acclamation of the Gita by refereeing of
Alexander the Great who said that he would be able to die in
peace as he had got the opportunity to read that precious book
in his lifetime.
Writing
an article by picking up valuable remarks of the thoughtful
personalities from the pages of history is rare in Assamese
literature. Amongst her articles , Stree-sakti (women power)
is a significant one where she analyses the word �stree� or
�mahila� in a very thought provoking way to establish the
power of women and their importance. This interesting articles
is written in such a simple language that anyone can
understand the richness of its content. Her articles are very
attractive due to her use of poetic language . Her article
like - Role of Women in Eradicating Corruption from Society
is an eye opening one for womenfolk where she analyses the
duty of to keep her husband away from any kind corruption .
She believes that a women can create both hell and heaven on
earth if she wishes. . So she thinks that womenfolk can play a
significant role to eradicate corruption from the society.
Das�s
another significant article �Handicap � in the eyes of
Society� shows how those deprived people are part and
parcel of our society citing some examples of great people
like �social worker Halen Keller (who was deaf , dumb and
blind), legendary musician Beethoven and blind Louis Braille,
Pushpalata Das says that they can contribute to the society in
spite of their disabilities as they can feel the pain of
deprived and they all had strong determination at heart. Mrs
Das�s another thought provoking article is Role and
Contribution of Assamese Women in the formation of Assamese
Nationalism in which she talks about the borders of
Kamrupa drawn by Yogini Tantra. She thinks that the
historical written accounts are not at all up to date. Even
before history was written Assamese women like Rukmini, Usha,
Bhanumoti, Padmawati, Beula could earn name and fame in
Indian history due to their beauty. Virtue and artistic
talent. The stories of Chitrangada and Hirimba from North East
are also very adorable.
The wide
spread history of Kamrup from the time of Mahabharata to the
time of king Naraka is a golden history of Assamese women..
Kings and princes from various parts of India felt proud to
marry Assamese girls who always drawn towards
proficiency.Mrs.Das givens us some examples of courageous
legendary women of Assam who plunged in war to save their
motherland from the grab of enemy. Amritprabha was a princess
of Kamrup whose fame for beauty, virtue and talent were widely
known. Meghabahan, king of Kashmir regained his throne after
marring this virtuous women. Besides these stories of pride,
Mr. Das reveals many names of Assamese women whose names have
been written in history and literature with golden letters.
Pushpalata Das leads a very simple life and it is well
reflected how much she respects the philosophy and principle
of Gandhiji and Vinobaji in her Khadi attire she wears every
day.In her articles written on Gandhiji and Binobaji, she
tries to present a clear and flawless picture of their
munifgicent lives. Those pictures of love and sacrifice can
serve as an ideal for the present day distracted minds. Real
values and peace of life lies in love and sacrifice.
Somewhere in the Maitri Vinobaji�s last message for Assam,
Mrs .Das has written-� Vinobaji�s Bhoodan movement itself is a
manifestation of friendship where he broke the barrier
between rich and poor. Gramdan is another step forward where
no one is anyone�s master- all are equal like family members
sharing their own village as their own. To unify this
friendship he churned the sector of all the religions and
served it to the hungry mind as the essence of Koran,
Namghokha. His scientific mind appealed to all and his message
is like the elixir to the thirsty souls. He appeals the right
thinking people to adopt Devnagri script as the vehicle of
their language and thought. It will not only minimise the
strain on the brain of the future generation but it will
enrich the vision of future.�
In her
another article �Assamese Women and her Status in Society� she
writes ��Assamese Women�s social disabilities are few as
compared to other states of India. Child marriage, purdha
system, Dowry system, professional prostitution,
untouchability are uncommon things in Assamese Society.
Assamese women�s status in the society also is not so low as
she enjoys a certain amount of economic independence. In spite
of all these advantages Assamese women feel restive about her
status in the society. Her intellectual aptitudes, hungers of
knowledge, thirst for something higher than bread alone which
would magnify her personality with befitting dignity.��. She
also writes in the same article-�Assamese women are not lack
of talents. Ancient history is full of proofs of their talents
in various fields specially in the field�s of fine Arts and
Literature.
�The
heritage of Assam in a nut-shell� is a beautiful article
published in �Vivekananda Kendra Patrika� where she
wries- �Mahapurush Sankardeva was well versed in Sanskrit, but
except Bhakti Ratnakar and Totoi (hymn) all other books were
written in Assamese. Late Chinatamon Deshmukh, Finance
Minister, Government of India, who was also�a great Sanskrit
scholar said that �Sankardev�s Rukmini Haran Nat could
be compared with Mahakabi Kalidas�s Shakuntala, if it
was a written in Sankskrit the whole world have been
benefitted with the sweetness of the verses whose every word
carried different meaning�s��..�Angkianat or one act play is a
creation of Mahapurush Sankardev , afterwared many
Vaishnavite poets of Medieaval Assam took this form�.. � She
has written in the same article-� the late Rajagopalchari
came to Assam as a member of the enquriry committee. He was
charmed to see the activities of the young workers. He was so
much impressed by their personality that he wrote in � YOUNG
INDIA�S� editoral column thus-� India would achieve
independence in a year if she got a group of selfless workers
like the workers of Assam. If Rajai was alive today I donot
know what he would have written . Today�s problem is the
crisis of values.�
She
wrote various valuable article like these in English, Assamese
and Hindi. Her writing style is very lucid and attractive. She
has the ability to make an article on a dull topic attractive
using soft language. Dr. Banikanata Kakati once told Dr.
Bhubaneswar Barua � You dragged a good writer to politics
depriving her to be good litterateur. If Pushpalata Das
could solely devote herself in study of literature deviated
from social works, she could have enriched the field Assamese
with her valuable contributions.
There
would have been a number of books if we could compile her
scattered articles. But unfortunately not a single book has
been published till date. Is their time and energy to spend
for herself for a selfless women like Pushpalata. But it is
very unfortunate that neither any publication board nor
publisher has shown any enthusiasm in this regard.
In spite
of that, her pen never stopped though she had completed eighty
two years of her life. She is still very young at heart with
much passion and strength to work for the society. She is
still very active and enthusiastic like a teenager. With a
very sharp memory, she tells the story of freedom movement
with so much vibrancy that a listener can visualize the
incidents and personalities involved in the movement . It
Pushpalata is a synonym for the words � talent and knowledge
of high order.
(NB:
- This article was prepared while Mrs. Pushpalata Das was
alive.)
