19/08/2025
While reading Dr. Achyut Chetan’s “Founding Mothers of the Indian Republic”, I was deeply moved by the power and purpose behind every page. This book is more than a historical account, it is a restoration of memory - honouring the women who wrote themselves into the very fabric of our Constitution.
As India advances towards 33% reservation for women, we must recognize that women like G. Durgabai, Ammu Swaminathan, Amrit Kaur, Dakshayani Velayudhan, Hansa Mehta, Renuka Ray, Sucheta Kripalani, Purnima Banerji, Begum Qudsia Aizaz Rasul, Kamala Chaudhri, and Annie Mascarene were far more than silent witnesses. Their signatures, debates, and collective voice shaped the Republic and the values we now hold dear.
Dr. ‘s work reminds us that these remarkable women were architects of justice and visionaries of equality who fearlessly challenged patriarchy and strategized for a brighter, fairer India. The phrase “missing mothers,” as the book notes, is a call to reclaim their rightful place in our national story.
Their courage and unity continue to inspire us in the ongoing journey toward genuine gender equality. This book absolutely deserves to be in the national spotlight, illuminating not just the past, but the path forward for every Indian who dreams of a just and inclusive society.
