Parbati Giri

News: Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid homage to freedom fighter Parbati Giri on the occasion of her birth centenary.

About Parbati Giri

• Parbati Giri was a prominent freedom fighter from Odisha. 
• She was born on 19 January 1926 in the Bargarh district of Odisha.
• She is also known as the Mother Teresa of Western Odisha, and epithet as ‘Banhi-kanya’ (daughter of fire).
• She was inspired by Gandhism and adopted it as her way of life.
• Role in India’s Freedom struggle: 
  • She joined the freedom movement at the young age of 11.
  • She travelled across villages spreading awareness and campaigning for Congress. 
  • She participated in direct Satyagraha and Gandhiji’s Khadi Andolan movement.
  • She became a prominent young volunteer in Quit India Movement and led many rallies against Britishers. 
  • She had also staged an agitation at Bargarh Court to persuade the lawyers to boycott the erstwhile court in defiance of the British.
  • She had taken tutelage at the famous Ashrams in Bari, Wardha, and Delhi Gandhi Sebashram.
• After India gained independence, she chose a path of selfless social service, believing that true freedom must reach the poorest.
  • Her major contributions include establishing ashram for women, orphans and destitutes namely Kasturba Gandhi Matruniketan and Dr Santra Bal Niketan.
  • She also dedicated her life in improving healthcare for tribal communities and supporting leprosy patients.
• Recognition: For her dedicated social work, she was awarded a prize in 1984 by the Dept. of Social Welfare of the Govt. of India. 
  • She also received an Honorary doctorate from the University of Sambalpur in 1988.
• Passing: Parbati Giri passed away on 17 August 1995 after a prolonged illness.