Helen Lepcha – Daughter of the soil
Helen Lepcha Also Known As savitri Devi was a distinguished freedom fighter from Sikkim whose contributions to India’s struggle for independence are both remarkable and inspiring. Born on January 14, 1902, in Sangmu Village, South Sikkim, she was the third of seven children in her family. Shortly after her birth, her family relocated to Kurseong, a town near Darjeeling, West Bengal, in search of better opportunities.
Early Life and Inspiration
In 1917, at the age of 15, Helen was deeply moved by the Charkha and Khadi movements propagated in the hills. A speech by a Bengali gentleman from Calcutta ignited her passion for the freedom struggle. Determined to contribute, she traveled to Calcutta in 1918 and trained in spinning at a center run by the granddaughter of Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar. Her dedication led her to represent Calcutta at the Khadi and Charkha Exhibition in Muzaffarpur, Bihar.
Association with Mahatma Gandhi
In 1920, during the devastating floods in Bihar, Helen selflessly assisted the affected communities. Her commitment caught the attention of Mahatma Gandhi, who invited her to the Sabarmati Ashram. There, he rechristened her as Savitri Devi, believing that her original name sounded foreign. Embracing Gandhian principles, she became actively involved in the Congress Labour Union, working across regions in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.
Role in the Non-Cooperation Movement
In 1921, Savitri Devi played a pivotal role in the Non-Cooperation Movement. She led a procession of over 10,000 coal mine workers from the Jharia coalfields, protesting against the exploitation of tribal laborers. Her leadership and growing influence alarmed the British authorities, leading to an arrest warrant against her. To evade arrest, she sought refuge at Anand Bhawan, the residence of Jawaharlal Nehru in Allahabad.
Return to Kurseong and Continued Activism
Upon learning of her mother’s illness, Savitri Devi returned to Kurseong. There, she mobilized local volunteers, conducting door-to-door campaigns advocating the boycott of foreign goods. Despite the imposition of curfews, she persisted in her efforts, which led to her arrest on January 29, 1922. She was imprisoned at the Darjeeling Sadar Jail for three months and subsequently placed under house arrest in Kurseong for three years. In 1932, she broke new ground by becoming the first woman commissioner of the Kurseong Municipality.
Assisting Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose
During 1939-40, when Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose was under house arrest in Kurseong, Savitri Devi played a crucial role in his escape. She facilitated secret communications by concealing letters in bread sent from her husband Ishan Ahmed’s bakery. She also assisted in disguising Bose as a Pathan, complete with a beard and mustache, enabling his escape from Kurseong to Calcutta and eventually to Germany via Kabul.
Participation in the Quit India Movement and Later Life
Savitri Devi remained an active participant in the Quit India Movement of 1942. Beyond her political activism, she was deeply involved in social work, serving as the chairperson of various associations in Kurseong, including the Sherpa Association, Nagar Congress, Anjuman Islamia, and the Lepcha Association. Later in life, she held the position of Mandal of Kurseong.
Recognition and Legacy
On August 15, 1972, in recognition of her invaluable contributions to India’s freedom struggle, Savitri Devi was honored with the Tamra Patra and granted a freedom fighter’s pension. The then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, who fondly remembered her from childhood days at Anand Bhawan, presented the award and affectionately called her “Saili Didi,” referring to her birth order as the third child. Savitri Devi passed away on August 18, 1980. Her home state, Sikkim, proudly honors her as a “Daughter of the Soil,” ensuring that her legacy as a dedicated freedom fighter and social activist continues to inspire future generations.