Her father was Dr. S. Swaminadhan, a
brilliant and leading lawyer practising criminal law at the Madras
High Court. Her mother was A.V. Ammukutty, a social worker, freedom
fighter and tireless campaigner for womens rights who successfully
contested elections to the Madras Municipal Corporation, the
Constituent Assembly, the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. She also served
as National President of the All India Womens Conference.
As a young girl, Lakshmi participated enthusiastically in nationalist
programmes of burning of foreign goods, including her own clothes and
toys and picketting of liquor-vends. She decided to study medicine
not from the point of view of embarking upon a successful career but
because she wanted to be of service to the poor, especially to poor
women. As a result, she received the MBBS degree from Madras Medical
College in l938. A year later, she received her diploma in
gynaecology and obstetrics.
In l940, Lakshmi left Madras for Singapore. Here she quickly
established a clinic where the poorest of the poor, especially
migrant Indian labour, could receive medical treatment. Not only did
she establish herself as a successful, compassionate and extremely
competent doctor, but she played an active role in the India
Independence League which contributed greatly to the freedom movement
in India.
In l942 came the historic surrender of Singapore by the British
colonial power to the Japanese. Lakshmi was kept extremely busy
tending to the many casualties and injuries that resulted from
skirmishes. She also came in contact with many of the India POWs who
were deliberating over the Japanese proposal to form an Indian army
of liberation. She was extremely enthusiastic about this possibility
and argued strongly in its favour. As a result, she was very much
part of the deliberations that finally resulted in the formation of
the INA under Gen. Mohan Singh.
Events moved very fast with the arrival of Subhas Chandra Bose in
Singapore on 2nd July, l943. In the next few days, at all his public
meetings, Netaji, as he was popularly known as, spoke of his
determination to raise a women's regiment, the Rani of Jhansi
regiment, which would also fight for Indian independence and make it
complete. On the 7th, hethe on 5th July, spoke to Shri Yellappa, and
enquired whether there was any Indian woman in Singapore who would be
suitable for the task of leading such a regiment.. Shri Menon
immediately suggested Lakshmi's name. Netaji insisted on meeting her
immediately and she was brought to meet him quite late the same
night. As soon as he put his proposal to her, she accepted it without
a moment's hesitation and, the very next day, she closed her clinic
and began preparations for the formation of the Rani of Jhansi
Regiment of the INA.
These preparations were underway very soon and, in a short time, a
well-trained fighting force of women recruits took shape. On 21st
October, l943, when the Provisional Government of Azad Hind was
announced, Lakshmi was the sole woman member of its Cabinet.
The Rani of Jhansi Regiment saw active duty on the front. Lakshmi who
was given the rank of Colonel, although in the popular imagination
she remained 'Captain Lakshmi' was active both militarily and on the
medical front. She played a heroic role not only in the fighting but
during the terrible days that INA personnel were hunted by the
victorious British troops and saved many lives because of her courage
and devotion. She was finally captured and brought to India on 4th
March, l946 when she received a heroine's welcome. The British
authorities realised that keeping her a prisoner would be
counter-productive and she was released.
After her release, Capt. Lakshmi campaigned tirelessly for the
release and rehabilitation of imprisoned and de-mobbed INA personnel
and for the freedom of India. She travelled the length and breadth of
the country and was able to collect huge funds for the INA soldiers
and also mobilise people against the colonial power.
After the release of the prisoners, including Col. Prem Kumar Sahgal,
from the Red Fort on the campaign for freedom continued. In March
1947, Col. Sahgal and Capt. Lakshmi were married in Lahore (Col.
Sahgal was the son of Justice Achhru Ram Sahgal, a member of the
Punjab High Court Bench who was one of the judges in the Gandhi
Murder Case). After their marriage, they settled down in Kanpur.
In Kanpur, Lakshmi plunged into her medical work almost immediately
because the influx of refugees started even before August, l947 when
it became a flood. She worked tirelessly among them for several
years. Later on she established a small maternity home in a hired
premise where it continues till today. Her compassion and service to
the poor have become legendary in the city.
In l971, when huge numbers of refugees came from what was East
Pakistan into West Bengal, Lakshmi worked at a camp in Bongaon for
several months.
After this, she became very active in left politics and in, first,
the trade union and, then, the womens movement although she never
neglected her medical work. When the All India Democratic Womens
Association was formed in l981, she became Vice-President of the
largest womens organisation in the country and has been actively
involved in its activities, campaigns an struggles ever since.
In October, l984, when anti-Sikh riots broke out in the city in the
wake of Smt. Indira Gandhi's assassination, she came out on the
streets in defence of Sikh families and shops near her clinic and did
not allow any of them to be harmed.
In l998, she was awarded the Padma Vibhushan by the President of India
Today, at 87, she still leaves for her maternity home at 9.00 every
morning, seven days a week and works till late in the afternoon.
Adulation and awards mean very little to her. Her unassuming manners
and modesty are a source of amazement and inspiration. Her untiring
and undying commitment to humanity and its service are truly
exceptional.