inspiring souls
inspiring souls
Edition 26
(15 August 2021)
Lakshmi Sahgal
“Freedom comes in three forms- Political Freedom, Economic Freedom and Social and Stereotypical Freedom
Indian has only achieved first form, the nation and its people have a long way to go.”
Captain Lakshmi Sahgal or Lakshmi Swaminathan Sahgal, is the most remembered solider and revolutionaries during the independence struggle of India. She was a prominent member of Azad Hind Fauj or The Indian National Army, started by Subash Chandra Bose. She was born into an influent family and was a trained doctor. Her initial name was Dr. Lakshmi Swaminathan. Her journey began when in 1942, Singapore surrendered by British empire to the Japanese. There she was aiding in injured people. At the same time, SC Bose announced that he wanted to draft a regiment of women in INA.
She became the first few initial female member and was given the identity of Captain Lakshmi, Rani of Jhansi Regiment. Soon there was a turn of events, INA marched to Burma with Japanese army in 1944, but by 1945 the war took a tuen towards them, INA leaders decided to take a retreat before they could enter Imphal. Captain Lakshmi was arrested by British officers in 1945 and had to remain in Burma till 1946. After that Indians who wanted a sudden end to imperial power of Britain. She married Prem Kumar Sahgal in 1947, Lahore, he was with her during the trials and a member of INA.
After the partition of India she left warfare and restarted her medical practice in Kanpur and aided injured refugees. Her later life was spent in active participation in politics and being a member of Communist Party of India ( Marxist). She unfortunately died in 2012 in Kanpur due at the age of 97. She left a great legacy behind her and wove a path for women during pre- independence era in military services.
Edition 24
(15 July 2021)
Rosa Parks was an iconic protester and civil rights leader during the black rights movement in USA, led by Martin Luther King Jr, Malcolm
X, Coretta Scott King , etc. She ignited a spark of courage for African-Americans or black people for standing up against discrimination.
She stood up against the bus seat division for blacks and whites. She was jailed but the citizens of USA supported her. After the civil rightsmarch ended she was active in public speaking and charity. Later in her last years she led a quite life. Many honours, awards have been bestowed upon her as well many awards and centres have been named after her.
Louis Zamperini (Recap)
Louis Zamperini is a world war 2 veteran from USA. He is best remembered as being a victim of abuse by Japanese commander ‘The Bird’. He was an Olympic runner and secured 8th position in 1936 Berlin Olympics. He was subjected and targeted to more brutal abuse than anyone else due to his celebrity
status as an Olympic competitor. After returning home he got depressed, mad and psychologically unfit due to recurring nightmares of his abuser and got so deep in getting revenge. But his life changed when he started going to Christian sermons and learnt the art of forgiveness.
Edition 22
(15 June 2021)
“Each Person Must Live Their Lives As A Model For Others.”
This lady just warned the bus driver that she won’t give up her seat for a white man. No one listened to her and she was forced out of the bus. This incident inspired her to start one of the most memorable protests for black civil rights – MONTGOMERY BUS BOYCOTT. During this period there were high tension in the political and civil atmosphere of USA due to black citizens demanding equal rights and questioning the constitution. While white people’s hesitance to meet or let go of the prejudice they held against them. The bus boycott ignited the starting of civil rights protest and march. She along with Martin Luther King JR, Claudette Colvin, Malcolm X, John Lewis and other black rights activists was arrested more than one time. She became a icon for young girls and black women, she taught us that when something wrong is being done, we should stand up against it and question our and the moral of others. She is heroine for all black people who fought relentlessly for equality. She died on 24 october,2005. But she left a legacy behind that we and the world will never forget.
Louis Zamperini
“One moment of pain is worth a lifetime of glory.”
An Italian-American boy who was bullied due to his heritage. At the age of 14 he played truant in the following years. He started training for running after being discovered by his brother Pete Zamperini who saw that this boy could run as fast as wind. This boy was the Unbroken warrior- Louis Zamperini. During the 1936 Berlin Olympics he secured 8th position in marathon. After some years he enrolled and volunteered in WW2. That’s where his legacy began. During an attack on the base of Japan, Louis and his two crewmates jumped off their plane after it was bombed. Out of 65 Pilots they were the only alive. They were stranded in the sea for 3 days before accidently reaching Japanese camp. Louis got arrested and was kept in the camp as prisoner of war (POW).There he met his rival and future torturer Mutsuhiro Watanabe aka ‘THE BIRD’. He was prison guard who was feared for his ruthless methods of torture. Many of them being especially targeted towards Louis. He used to spank him with his belt, slap or punch his regularly, inject needles if he misbehaved. This continued till Japan surrendered in 1945 after twin atomic bomb attacks USA. Watanabe escaped even though he was a war criminal but the free and war veteran Louis was scarred, scared for many years. He used to get nightmare daily and even had violent tendencies which went as far plotting a murder for Watanabe. But a Christian sermon which his wife made him attend changed his life. That taught him forgiveness is the most noble act one could do. One of the most heart warming act by him was when during 1998 Olympics in Japan he decided to meet his abuser Watanabe, but the latter was not ready to meet him. Unfortunately he passed away on 2 July, 2014. A movie named ‘UNBROKEN’ directed and produced by Angelina Jolie was released in 2014 and became an international success watanabe ‘The Bird’.