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SEEING THE PROBLEM<o:p></o:p>Hyderabad, where I was born, had many slums, with poverty, starvation, illness and homelessness.&nbsp;<div><img src="https://cdn.builder.io/api/v1/image/assets%2Fb3b13b7f131f44b8b9040dab74852379%2Fd9c8764f932044e3bd1c947319368f08" alt="" style="color: rgb(21, 20, 20); width: 367.824px; height: 272.188px;"></div> <o:p></o:p>I was luckier than others. My father was a scientist, and my mother was a poet. They gave me a good education, which was a blessing in a land where few females went to school.Yet our life was not easy. Father was a member of the Indian National Congress, an organisation that wanted independence from Britain. Because of this, he lost his job. This was not fair, and it made a major mark on my life.&nbsp;All around, I could see other divisions and unfairness – like the caste system which defined and determined your position in society. Those born into the untouchable caste had few opportunities, while those born into families of higher castes had lots.&nbsp;English became the language for business. Our country was being ruled by foreigners.<div>FINDING SOLUTIONS</div>My father explained to me that our country had to become independent. This became my purpose. I was involved in politics while studying at Madras University. My ability to speak Hindi, English, Bengali, Telugu, Urdu and Persian helped. Indeed, I developed my abilities in speech-giving and communication. My experience, skills and drive made me a strong leader.I got young people to join our cause. Along the way, I wrote many poems and stories. The Lady of the Lake was one that became highly thought of. The Golden Threshold and The Gift of India also outlined my hopes.<div><img src="https://cdn.builder.io/api/v1/image/assets%2Fb3b13b7f131f44b8b9040dab74852379%2Fa1af535aa35240aca3036972d5ccbe1c" alt="" style="color: rgb(21, 20, 20); width: 240.569px; height: 364.312px;"></div><o:p></o:p>My marriage in 1898 caused more division. My husband was from a different caste. But we both wanted to break down barriers. And our four children became aware of right from wrong early in their lives.In 1905, I took on responsibilities in the Indian National Congress. Meeting people like Gandhi had a major influence on my life. By 1915, I had visited many towns and cities to raise support. The people I met and spoke to trusted me to guide them in our fight.<div>A BIGGER ROLE</div>In Europe, war had broken out and we were asked to help the Allies. After this, my generation again demanded political change. I joined the Non-Cooperation Movement, led by Gandhi. He led with peaceful, non-violent protest.&nbsp;<div><img src="https://cdn.builder.io/api/v1/image/assets%2Fb3b13b7f131f44b8b9040dab74852379%2F232fdd5abbc649cfaa7123d8fe2cdbfd" alt="" style="color: rgb(21, 20, 20); width: 378.229px; height: 300.75px;"></div> <o:p></o:p>I also went to Britain as our Indian Home Rule Ambassador, and the Indian National Congress invited me to be their first female president. In a society traditionally ruled by men, that was an honour.I joined Gandhi, in the Quit India Movement for independence. I was arrested for this in 1942 and jailed by the colonial rulers. What madness to convict Indian citizens for trying to improve life for fellow Indian citizens! For about two years, I was behind bars, under lock and key.&nbsp;They could lock up my body, but not my mind.<div>A PROUD LEGACY</div>Finally, after World War II, India formally gained independence in 1947.&nbsp;Tragically, Gandhi, who was so important in making this happen, was assassinated in January 1948.I had the great honour to become governor of Uttar Pradesh, a state in northern India. I was the first woman to hold such a position in our country.&nbsp;Maybe I worked too long and too hard. One day in my office, I felt a severe pain in my chest. I knew that I had little time left to improve our society. That had been my main aim and purpose in life.&nbsp;May our children continue to build and defend our right to be independent. GLOSSARY<o:p></o:p>Caste system – a system of grouping people who inherit privileges or are seen as better than others in their society.Untouchable caste – of or belonging to the lowest caste Hindu group or the people outside the caste system.Allies – the countries that fought with Britain in the First and Second World Wars.<o:p></o:p>IMAGE CAPTIONS AND CREDITSHyderabad in the 1800s, Dileguy, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons<o:p></o:p>Sarojini Naidu in 1912, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons<o:p></o:p>Mahatma Gandhi and Sarojini Naidu (1930), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons&nbsp;

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