Madam Bhikajee Cama
Madam Cama was the life and soul of Indian independence movement and one of the greatest patriots of India. Madam Cama was born on 24 September, 18611n Bombay. She was admitted in Alexandria Girls School, which was run by Christian missionaries. Madam Cama was a very brilliant student, but she could not concentrate much on her studies, because her heart and Mind cried at the atrocities done by British over Indians.
She wished to gain freedom from the clutches of the outsiders forever for the benefit of the suppressed and exploited people of her nation. In 1885, she became the member of Indian National Congress. Madam Cama began to give powerful speeches to awoke the Indians from the deep slumber of ignorance. She instilled the spirit of valiance in them and tell than to fight for freedom bravely till their last breath. She was so devoted to the service of her nation that her husband began to feel ignored and neglected.
He thought of sending her abroad, so that she could forget about loving her nation, and become more devoted to her family. Madam Cama Was sent to England in the year 1902.
In London Madam Cama met noted freedom fighter Dada Bhai Nauroji. She worked with him as his personal secretary for one and half years. During her stay in London, she met many more freedom fighters like Shyamji Krishan Verma. Madam Cama began to rage a ‘War against British in London to gain freedom from them in India.
The British got annoyed by her. They told her to leave London, else they would arrest her, but she didn’t agree to step down from her mission to gain freedom for her county.
On 18 August 1907 she gave a lecture in Germany. She said “British rule in India is a matter of great insult for Indians. I want to speak under the flag of my nation. This time, we don’t have any flag. So what if we don’t have any flag?” Then Madam Cama tore up the piece of cloth from her saree and shouted, “See this is the flag of my nation. Let’s bow before it.”
There was a loud applaud at her words. Thereafter she told the Indians to unite and fight against the British with all their might.
After observing the anti-British activities of Madam Cama, the government became against her.
Madam Cama fled from London secretly through English Channel and reached France. There, she told the people about the atrocities done by the British over Indians. The government of France gave protection to her, as it sympathized with the condition of her fellowmen in India.
In 1909, she started the publication of a newsletter called ‘Vande Matram’.
After living in abroad for 35 years Madam Cama returned back to her home in 1935 at the age of 74.
Madam Cama had then become weak and fragile, thus she was brought on the stretcher to India. On 13th August 1937 she breathed her. last repeating, “Let my India gain freedom and let democracy prevail in my India.”
