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Recently, the Prime Minister paid homage to Parbati Giri (1926–1995) on her birth centenary.
Born on – 19 January 1926.
Parents – She was born to Dhananjaya Giri and Shrimati in a Gauntia family.
Nativity – Samlaipadar village, Bargarh district, Odisha.
Early Activism – She dropped out of school at age 11.
Shewas inspired by Mahatma Gandhi and Rama Devi of Bari Ashram.
She joined the organizational work of Congress in 1938 and started raising awareness in villages.
Learned weaving, handicrafts, and adopted Gandhism as a way of life.
Freedom Struggle – In 1940, organized meetings and mobilized villagers for Gandhiji’s Khadi Andolan.
Encouraged people to spin charkha and wear khadi.
During the Quit India Movement, Parbati participated in rallies with the tri-colour flag and shouted anti-British slogans.
Parbati Giri went to the Sub Divisional Office (SDO) in Bargarh, sat on the SDO’s chair, and ordered the SDO to be brought in tied with a rope, like a culprit.
This bold act led to her arrest and imprisonment for 2 years.
Ordered lawyers to vacate Bargarh Court and gave two bangles to those who did not comply.
She encouraged many women of Western Odisha to join Satyagraha and the freedom movement.
Social Reform – She led relief work during the 1951 famine in Odisha.
Worked for the improvement of jail conditions and the eradication of leprosy.
Parbati Giri is known as Mother Teresa of Western Orissa for her service to the destitute.
She was called as Banhi Kanya for her resilience and nationalist zeal.
Centenary Tributes – The Prime Minister commended her role in the freedom struggle.
Parbati Giri’s passion for community service and work in sectors like healthcare, women empowerment, and culture were highlighted.
