Rani Jhansi Lakshmi Bai

Rani Jhansi Lakshmi Bai was born on 19th November 1835 at Kashi. That is presently known as Varanasi. Some sources say her birth date lies in 1830.Rani Lakshmi Bai father was a Karhade Brahmin and her mother was Bhagirathibhai. Rani Lakshmi Bai mother was a cultured, intelligent and religious woman. Rani Lakshmi Bai called as Manu (Manukarnika) in her child hood. Lakshmi Bai lost her mother at age of four. Then the complete responsibility of her fell to her father.

Lakshmi Bai completed her education. And also she learned   to Ride Horses, Sword fighting and Shooting. Lakshmi Bai was married to Raja Gangadhar Rao. He was the maharaja of Jhansi in 1842. When she married Gangadhar Rao, Lakshmi Bai became the Rani of Jhansi. In 1851 Jhansi Rani gave birth to a son. But when was about 4months old, unfortunately the child died.  After that, Raja was adopted a son. On 21st November 1853 Maharaja Gangadhar Rao was died. After death of Raja, Jhansi Rani left alone.

At this time she was eighteen years old. Jhansi Rani did not lose her courage,   she always remembered her responsibility. At That time the governor-general of India, the marquess of Dalhousie, announced that through little Damodar Rao. Adopted son of late Maharaja Gangadhar Rao and Jhansi Rani was Maharaja’s heir successor as per the Hindu tradition, But the Jhansi Rani claim that Damodar Rao was their legal heir, rejected the British rules.

The British ruler announced in March 1854 Sixty Thousand annual pensions for Jhansi Rani and also ordered to leave the Jhansi fort. Rani Jhansi appealed her case to London. But that appeal was turned down. Rani Jhansi was a symbol of patriotism and self respect. She was determined not to give up Jhansi to them. Jhansi Rani was determined to get rid of Briteshers. Then Britishers were making every effort to destroy the freedom of country.

In March1858 the britisher’s were attacked the Jhansi. Rani Jhansi assembled a volunteer army of rebellious. Military training was given to women’s also. They were also seen working the food and water to soldiers. The fight continued for about two weeks. Jhansi Rani was very active. She her self was inspecting the defense of the city. Jhansi fell to the British forces after this Great War.

Then the British army entered the Jhansi City. Rani of Jhansi, still full of courage and deathless patriotism dressed as a man, took up arms, her son Damodar Rao was strapped tightly to her back. She was holding the reins of her horse in her mouth. In the fierce fighting she was using the sword with both her hands. Rani of Jhansi with some of her warriors departed from Jhansi.

Many other rebellions force joined with her When Jhansi Rani reached Kalpi. Tatia Tope from Kalpi was also one of them, from Kalpi Rani departed to the Gwalior. Again a fierce battle took place. Rani Jhansi fought with courage, deathless patriotism and martyrdom.

However on the second day of fighting, the great heroine of the first war of India freedom, and she was queen of a small state, but the empress of a limitless empire of glory. At the age of 22 years, lost her life. That unfortunate day was 18th June of 1858.

Mother Teresa Biography

Mother Teresa – The Nun with an unforgettable touch. Mother Teresa was a soul filled with the light of Christ, on fire with love for Him and burning with one desire: “to quench his thirst for love and for souls.”  Mother Teresa, a strong and independent woman was born Agnes   Gonxha Bojaxhiu in Skopje, Yugoslavia, on August 26, 1910 to Nikola and Drain Bojaxhiu.

Mother was a Catholic nun of Albanian ethnicity and received Indian citizenship, who founded the Missionaries of Charity in Kolkata, India in 1950. Through out her life for more than 45 years she ministered to the poor, orphans, sick and dying while guiding the missionaries of charity’s expansion, first throughout India and then in other countries. After her death Mother Teresa was beautified by Pope John Paul 11 and given the title blesses Teresa of Calcutta.

Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity continued to expand, and at the time of her death it was operating in about 610 missions in 123 countries, including hospices and homes for people with HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis  and leprosy , children’s and family counseling programs, orphanages, and schools.

She also faced a diverse range of Criticism. These include objections by various individuals and groups against the proselytizing focus of her work including a strong stance against contraception and abortion, a belief in the spiritual goodness of poverty and alleged baptisms of the dying. Medical journals also criticized the standard of medical care in her hospices and concerns were raised about the opaque nature in which donated money was spent.

In 1952 Mother Teresa opened the first Home for the Dying in space made available by the city of Calcutta, India. With the help of Indian officials she converted an abandoned Hindu temple into the Kalighat Home for the Dying, a free hospice for the poor. She renamed it Kalighat, the Home of the Pure Heart also called NIRMAL HRIDAY. Those brought to the home received medical attention were afforded the opportunity to die with dignity, according to the rituals of their faith. Muslims were read the Quran, Hindus received water from the Ganges, and Catholics received the Last Rites.

Mother Teresa was internationally famed as a humanitarian and advocate for the poor and helpless. She has been praised by many individuals, governments and organizations.

She won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979 and India’s highest civilian honor, the Bharat Ratna, in 1980 for her humanitarian work.