Context:
Ammu Swaminathan is among 15 women featured in ‘The Life and Contributions of the Women Members of the Constituent Assembly’
Ammu Swaminathan:
- Born in – 1894 in Kerala
- Joined the Indian National Congress in 1934
- Arrested during the Quit India Movement (1942).
- Elected to the Constituent Assembly from Madras in 1946.
- Post-independence she was elected to the 1st Lok Sabha in 1952 and subsequently to the Rajya Sabha 1954.
- Served as the Vice President of the Federation of Film Societies and the Censor Board.
- Also served as the President of the Bharat Scouts and Guides between 1960 and 1965.
- Served as India’s goodwill ambassador to countries like Russia, China and the US.
- Captain Lakshmi Sahgal, who joined the Indian National Army was her daughter
- Passed away in – 1978
- Contributions –
- Defied caste norms
- Strong advocate for women’s rights and called for reform of laws and bills related to succession, inheritance and marriage.
- Co-founded the Women’s India Association (WIA) in 1917 with Annie Besant to fight for economic rights and voting for women.
Source: PIB
Previous Year Question
Consider the following statements:
1. The first woman President of the Indian National Congress was Sarojini Naidu.
2. The first Muslim President of the Indian National Congress was Badruddin Tyabji.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
[UPSC Civil Service Exam – 2015 Prelims]
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (b)
Explanation:
Statement 1 is not correct. Annie Besant was the first woman President of Indian National Congress (INC).