Madam Bhikaji Cama

Who was Madam Bhikaji CamaMadam Cama was born on 24th September, 1861 at Mumbai in a rich Parsi family. Her mother’s name was Jayji and her father’s name was Sorabji Framji Patel. Her father and brother were big traders in Mumbai. They had a palatial residence at Cumballa Hill. The parents named their daughter as Bhikaji. Madam Cama, who completed her schooling in Mumbai, was fluent in four languages English, Gujarati, Hindi and Marathi.

•During the stay in London, Madam Cama received an invitation of the “International Socialist Conference” which was scheduled to start on 18th August 1907. This time the venue for the Annual meet was Stuttgart, in Germany. •Savarkar always attempted to garner International support for the issue of Independence for India. Savarkar suggested that Madam Cama and Barrister Sardarsingh Rana should attend the conference as representatives of India. Savarkar also drafted the resolution that was to be proposed there.

Stitched Flag kept ready

The Meaning of Colours and Symbols of the Flag hoisted by Madam Cama.

On 21st August, 1907, at the International Socialistic Conference, Madam Cama unfurled the flag.

•The top stripe of the Flag was Green in colour. The Eight provinces of India were represented by eight lotus flowers. The slogan “Vande Mataram” .was inscribed on the centre saffron stripe.

•The Sun and Moon on the bottom red stripe indicated that India would remain Independent till Sun and Moon continued to grace the skies.

•The Green colour reflected Courage and Spirit. The Saffron colour indicated victory and Red colour displayed Strength.

• Madam Cama and her colleagues got the information that Savarkar would be taken to India in the ‘Morea’ Ship. On knowing that the Ship had arrived at the Marseilles port, she drove along with V.V.S. Iyer from Paris and reached Marseilles. She reached after Savarkar was caught and taken back on the Ship.

•She informed M Jaures, Mayor of Marseilles about the incident. The news of the illegal arrest published in the newspaper spread across the world and caused huge embarrassment for the British government. she sent a telegram to Barrister Joseph Baptisita to meet Savarkar as lawyer.

•Madam Cama’s wish to secure the release of Savarkar was so intense that she visited the British Embassy in Paris and handed over an application to the Ambassador.

Efforts for release of Veer Savarkar

Longing for Motherland•After the end of war Madam Cama returned back to Paris and resumed her political activities. But her health was not supportive. Being occupied with the revolutionary activities, she had been neglecting her health. Her financial situation had also deteriorated. Her wish to return to her motherland started getting intense.

• In 1935 i.e. after 34 long years she was granted permission to return to India. She came to Mumbai, but did not live for long. On 13th August, 1936 she died.

•But in true sense, the lady who unfurled the First national flag of India across the seven seas is the real ‘Daughter of Maharashtra’ and ‘Daughter of India’.