SUCHETA KRIPALANI -
MODERN INDIA
News: Who was Sucheta Kripalani,
India’s first woman Chief Minister?
What's in the news?
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June 25 is the birth anniversary of Sucheta
Kripalani, India’s first woman Chief Minister.
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Kripalani, a freedom fighter who was born in 1908,
served as Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh for about three and a half years from
October 2, 1963 to March 13, 1967.
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She then served as Lok Sabha MP until 1971.
Sucheta Kripalani:
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Sucheta Kripalani was born on June 25, 1908, in
Ambala, Punjab.
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She studied at Indraprastha College for Women and
St. Stephen’s College, University of Delhi.
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She married J. B. Kripalani, a former Congress president and Gandhian, in
April 1936 against familial and Mahatma Gandhi’s wishes.
Early Career:
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Joined BHU to teach
Constitutional History in 1929, participated in Satyagraha, and was
imprisoned in 1940.
Role in Congress:
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Organized the foreign
affairs wing of AICC and later founded
the All India Mahila Congress.
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She won by a margin of 99 votes over Kamalapati
Tripathi and was sworn in as CM on October 2, 1963.
Contributions and
Achievements:
1. Educational Reforms:
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Waived school fees for girls up to Class 10 from
January 1965.
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Established Meerut University and Kanpur
University.
2. Social Reforms:
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Increased reservation for SCs in government jobs to
24% in Group C and 45% in Group D until the 18% target was achieved.
3. Infrastructure
Developments:
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Established a Sainik School in Ghorakhal, a new
medical college in Meerut, and the UP Awas Vikas Parishad.
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She created the post of agriculture production
commissioner.
4. Crime Control:
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Neutralized many dacoits in the Chambal Valley with
the help of the Police Radio Unit.
5. Anti-Corruption
Stance:
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Emphasized the need to tackle growing corruption in
public services, supporting the Union government’s initiative to appoint a
vigilance commission.
6. Multifaceted
Contributions:
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Involved in relief activities for the 1934 Bihar
earthquake, Noakhali riots, Tibetan refugee rehabilitation, and the Indo-Pak
War of 1971.
Later Life and Legacy:
Post-CM Career:
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Served as Lok Sabha MP until 1971.
Impact:
● Her tenure as CM and various social contributions left a lasting impact on Indian politics and society, especially in terms of women’s leadership and social reforms.