When was Vijayalakshmi Pandit born? Was Kini educated?
‘Swaroop Kumari’ was born on 18 August 1900 in the house of Motilal Nehru, a rich lawyer of Prayagraj (then Allahabad). This Swaroop Kumari later became Vijayalakshmi Pandit. There was no dearth of wealth in the house. She was very fond of brother Jawaharlal Nehru. The surprising thing is that Vijayalakshmi did not take a degree from any college or university. She was educated at home and was only 12th pass. But his English, his general knowledge and his understanding of diplomacy were such that even big PhD holders were in awe of him.
Who was Vijayalakshmi Pandit’s husband?
Vijayalakshmi Pandit: Nehru’s ‘lioness’ sister who bowed down to the world. (Photo: Congress Party Website)
The biggest storm in her life came when her husband Ranjit Pandit was put in jail by the British government. Ranjit fell ill due to the poor prison conditions and died in 1944. A mountain of sorrows fell upon Vijayalakshmi. According to the Hindu law of that time, the widow did not get any right in her husband’s property. She went through financial difficulties, but she did not extend her hand to anyone. He turned his pain into strength and threw himself into the fight for freedom.
Vijayalakshmi Pandit: Country’s first woman cabinet minister
Even before getting independence, Vijayalakshmi had proved her capability. When elections were held under the British Raj in 1937, she was elected to the Legislative Assembly of the United Provinces (now Uttar Pradesh). He was made the Health Minister. This was a historic moment. She was the first woman in India to become a cabinet minister. She had proved at that time that women were made not only to run the household but also to run the government.
When did Vijayalakshmi Pandit’s diplomatic career start?
After independence, India needed a face who could strongly represent the country on the global stage. Brother Jawaharlal Nehru trusted his sister’s abilities. Vijayalakshmi was made the first Ambassador of India to the Soviet Union (now Russia).
This was the period when the Cold War had started. Russia and America were thirsty for each other’s blood. In such a situation, it was not easy for a woman to go and work in Moscow. But Vijayalakshmi impressed even a tough leader like Stalin with her diplomacy.
After this she became India’s ambassador to America. Her beauty, eloquence and style of wearing saree made everyone crazy in Washington. Wherever she went, people gathered to see and listen to her. He explained the meaning of India’s non-aligned policy to America. He made it clear that India will not become a follower of any group.
Jawaharlal Nehru and Vijayalakshmi Pandit, US President Henry S. With Truman. (Photo: US Presidential Library)
When did Vijayalakshmi Pandit reach the United Nations?
The year 1953 was a year of pride for India. Vijayalakshmi Pandit was elected President of the United Nations General Assembly. She was the first woman in the world to hold this post. This was a record which changed the thinking of western countries. Till that time, people in the West considered Asian women weak. But Vijayalakshmi sat on that chair and taught rules and regulations to the big leaders of the world.
‘Iron Lady’ who stopped nuclear war
- Vijayalakshmi Pandit’s biggest contribution was seen during the Korean War. In the 1950s, there was a fierce war going on between North Korea and South Korea. America and China were face to face. The world was afraid that America might use the Nuclear Bomb. If this had happened then great destruction was certain on earth.
- At that time Vijayalakshmi Pandit played the role of peacemaker. With his diplomatic acumen he brought both sides to the negotiating table. He created an environment against nuclear weapons along with scientists and thinkers like Robert Oppenheimer (the father of the atomic bomb) and Bertrand Russell.
- He warned the world that no one would win in a nuclear war, only humanity would lose. The result of his efforts was that nuclear weapons were not used in the Korean War and millions of lives were saved.
- Critics often said that Vijayalakshmi got everything because she was Nehru’s sister. But it is not true. Nehru definitely gave her a chance, but Vijayalakshmi herself did the work of converting that opportunity into gold. She was a fearless woman. He even had differences with his niece Indira Gandhi.
- When Indira Gandhi imposed emergency in the country, Vijayalakshmi Pandit openly opposed it. He campaigned against his brother’s daughter and fought to save democracy. This shows that for him country and principles were above family.
Vijayalakshmi Pandit was the first woman President of UNGA. (Photo: UN Archives)
Last time spent in loneliness
Vijayalakshmi, who had seen so much glamor and fame, spent her last days in simplicity. She retired from politics and started living in Dehradun. He neither had any big position nor any power. But his status had not diminished even then. He breathed his last on 1 December 1990 at the age of 90.
Vijayalakshmi Pandit is an example for today’s generation. She crushed gender bias at a time when women were not allowed to leave the house. She bore the social stigma of being a widow but never became poor. She showed the world that Indian women can run the world even wearing a saree.
