Bhubaneswar: Ramadevi Choudhury, affectionately known as Maa Ramadevi, was a towering figure in India’s freedom movement and a leading social reformer from Odisha. Born on December 3, 1899, in the Cuttack district, her life spanned a period of immense political and social transformation, during which she made indelible contributions to the struggle for Swaraj and the upliftment of the marginalized.
Ramadevi’s path to activism was deeply influenced by her family. She was the daughter of Gopal Ballav Das, the nephew of the esteemed Utkal Gaurav Madhusudan Das, and was married to Gopabandhu Choudhury, a prominent administrator who resigned from his government service to join the non-cooperation movement. This environment of nationalist fervor shaped her commitment to public service and the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi.
She actively participated in Gandhi’s constructive programs, wholeheartedly embracing the principles of Swadeshi (self-reliance), simple living, and spinning the Khadi (hand-spun cloth). Her residence in Cuttack became a central hub for women freedom fighters and a training ground for social workers.
Ramadevi played a crucial role in mobilizing women across Odisha for the national movement. She took part in the Salt Satyagraha in 1930, organizing a march to Inchudi, which became known as the second Puri of Odisha’s Salt Satyagraha after Balasore. She was arrested multiple times for her involvement in the Civil Disobedience Movement and the Quit India Movement in 1942.
Beyond the political struggle, her focus on social justice was relentless. She dedicated herself to the eradication of untouchability and worked tirelessly for the betterment of the Harijans (Dalits) and tribal communities. Post-independence, she established institutions for the education and welfare of children and women in rural areas, continuing the Gandhian tradition of grassroots social service until her passing on July 22, 1985. Her life remains an exemplary model of simple living, high thinking, and unwavering commitment to nation-building.