Sarojini Naidu birth anniversary: Remembering the 'Nightingale of India' - poems, quotes, history

Sarojini Naidu Birth Anniversary, National Women's Day 2023: National Women’s Day is observed on February 13 every year. The day marks the birth anniversary of Sarojini Naidu. She was a political activist, poet and proponent of civil rights. She had also played a vital role in India's independence from British rule.

Referred to as the ‘Nightingale of India’, Sarojini Naidu was born on February 13, 1879, in Hyderabad to a Bengali Brahmin family. 

Sarojini Naidu was appointed as the first woman President of the Indian National Congress in 1925. She had also played a pivotal role during the Civil Disobedience movement. She also faced arrest in 1942 during the Quit India movement.

After Independence, Naidu served as the first Governor of the United Provinces (now Uttar Pradesh) from 1947 to 1949 and also contributed to the drafting of the Indian constitution.

Naidu is well known for her literary accomplishments. Her literary works include The Bird of Time: Songs of Life, Death and the Spring, The Broken Wing: Songs of Love, Death and the Spring, Muhammad Jinnah: An Ambassador of Unity, Feast of Youth, The Magic Tree and The Wizard Mask. Other than this, mentioned below are three of her best poems. Read on to find out!

Sarojini Naidu died on March 2, 1949, at Lucknow.

Sarojini Naidu Poems 

The Gift of India
Is there ought you need that my hands withhold,
Rich gifts of raiment or grain or gold?
Lo ! I have flung to the East and the West
Priceless treasures torn from my breast,
And yielded the sons of my stricken womb
To the drum-beats of the duty, the sabers of doom

The Poet To Death
TARRY a while, O Death, I cannot die 
While yet my sweet life burgeons with its spring; 
Fair is my youth, and rich the echoing boughs 
Where dhadikulas sing. 

Tarry a while, O Death, I cannot die 
With all my blossoming hopes unharvested, 
My joys ungarnered, all my songs unsung, 
And all my tears unshed. 

Tarry a while, till I am satisfied 
Of love and grief, of earth and altering sky; 
Till all my human hungers are fulfilled, 
O Death, I cannot die!

To Youth
O YOUTH, sweet comrade Youth, wouldst thou be gone? 
Long have we dwelt together, thou and I; 
Together drunk of many an alien dawn, 
And plucked the fruit of many an alien sky. 

Ah, fickle friend, must I, who yesterday 
Dreamed forwards to long, undimmed ecstasy, 
Henceforward dream, because thou wilt not stay, 
Backward to transient pleasure and to thee? 

I give thee back thy false, ephemeral vow; 
But, O beloved comrade, ere we part, 
Upon my mournful eyelids and my brow 
Kiss me who hold thine image in my heart.

Sarojini Naidu Popular Quotes

1. When there is oppression, the only self-respecting thing is to rise and say this shall cease today, because my right is justice. If you are stronger, you have to help the weaker boy or girl both in play and in the work.

2. Sense of justice is one of the most wonderful ideals of Islam, because as I read in the Qur'an I find those dynamic principles of life, not mystic but practical ethics for the daily conduct of life suited to the whole world.

3. One needs a Seer's Vision and an Angel's voice to be of any avail. I do not know of any Indian man or woman today who has those gifts in their most complete measure.

National Women’s Day 2023 Wishes

1. “Women are the largest untapped reservoir of talent in the world." –Hillary Clinton

2. A woman is much more than just a person. She has the ability to create a life, to cope with so much pain, and to always emerge as the strongest person in every room. 

3. Happy Woman’s Day to all the strong, intelligent, talented, and simply wonderful women.

4. Never forget the contribution of women. Always love and appreciate.

5. Every woman in our lives is unique and beautiful in her own way. 

Click Here For Latest Updates On Stock Market | Zee Business Live