Yesterday when I went to the AKG Bhawan Book Stall, I saw the Book ” A Revolutionary Life”, the autobiography of Lakshmi Saghal or Captain Lakshmi, as she is popularly known. I purchased the same and read it.

The life of Captain Lakshmi is a saga itself. The formation of the Indian National Army (INA) under Netaji Subhas Bose, the formation of the Rani Jhansi Regiment with Lakshmi as captain, the move to liberate India from the British, capture and jailing by the British – all are explained in detail.
After Independence, she settled at Kanpur (UP) and continued her medical practice by opening a clinic. Became a CPI(M) member. She was elected as the Vice-President of the AIDWA. Contested for the post of President of India.
Her life has been full of struggles and fight for the people.
I remember the few occasions I met her. She spoke in Malayalam and enquired about the union activities. When I went to Kanpur, I went to her house, but she was not there. But we comrades met subhashini Ali, her daughter, and discussed about our activities.

The Book is worth reading – a must to read. The autobiography was written in the 1970s and is added by an interview with her by journalists.