Seva Dal volunteers
Rashtriya Seva Dal volunteers, Queen Mary's College circa 1947, Madras Presidency. Lady Dhanvantari Rama Rao with K.N. Lalitha, R. Vasantha, K.N. Pramila and others. (Rashtriya Seva Dal was the service wing of the Indian National Congress during the independence movement) (photo courtesy R. Shyamala)
Freedom fighter and social activist
S. Manjubhashini was active in the Indian freedom movement. Family stories abound about her deep commitment to the Swadeshi movement and the neighbourhood bonfires of British goods that she organized. She also founded Bala Mandir in 1948, one of the first orphanages of independent India.
The earliest first ladies of the Maldives
Mariyam Saeed and Fathimath Saeed, circa 1940s (sisters and former first ladies of the Maldives). Fathimath Saeed was married to the 1st President and was the first first lady. Mariyam Saeed was married to Ibrahim Nasir who later became the 2nd President of the Maldives. Both are sisters. Photo contributed by Fathimath Saeed's grand daughter... Continue Reading →
Students in a march, 1940s
Queen Mary's College students in a march, Madras Presidency, 1940s. Contributor: R. Vasantha
Freedom front
R. Vasantha and Kamaraj, New Delhi, early 1960s?
Guard of Honour at the All-India Women's conference
R. Shyamala, A.V Lakshmi, E.R. Leela, N. Parameshwaran, R. Susheila, Rajkumari Amrit Kaur, P. Swaminathan, N. Padma. (photo courtesy R. Vasantha)