An arc lamp of feminism

Roy, a quintessence of remarkable personas, known for their contributions towards the burgeoning days of yore in Bengal. And the designation which counts for a signora as the sole envoy of feminism, is Kamini Roy's.

The sprinter for feminism in Bengal. Image Source: Geni

‘Feminism’- a word sprouting serious discourses and conflicts between the goodly intellectuals of today. It’s a red hot spark, which can set fire to your strongly durable ‘No, I will mind my own business rather than indulging into trivial debates’ conviction in a second.

Out of curiosity, if you go and ask them what their perception is about feminism, you will simply hear, **‘You know how these women want to accomplish empowerment by totally disregarding men or trimming their powers and rise as a more authoritative class over theirs? That’s called feminism.’

But it’s not a liability on the entire manhood. Women, themselves, are not aware of the appellation, the agenda of Feminism. Instead of digging into this trendy feature only to come out as a rational polymath, we should all try to concede the tireless efforts our ancestors had poured in which bestowed us with a tribune to stand up for our rights in present. Let’s rewind to the odyssey of one such feminist- Kamini Roy, the peak of sunshine at the end of the prolonged tunnel of murky societal domination on the women.

Born and brought up in a distinguished, elite family of Bakergunj, Bengal Presidency, in 1864, Kamini Roy’s childhood was baked with the beams of her meritorious siblings. Her brother, Nisith Chandra Sen, was an acclaimed barrister in Calcutta High Court and the Mayor of Calcutta, and her sister, Jamini, was the then Nepal Royal Family’s homestead doctor.

She broke the barriers of predominant superstitions the society imposed on women by attending Bethune School in 1883. In an age when educating girls was an interdict, she became one of the first women to hold a degree in the British India. She studied Sanskrit honours in Bethune College, University of Calcutta, and earned the badge of a Bachelor of Arts’ graduate. Her senior, Kadambini Ganguly, was the first woman graduate who became a physician.

Since she idolized literature and started writing poems from the age of eight, she took it as her profession. Her first compilation of poems, Alo O Chhaya, was published in 1889. Her other extraordinary works comprise of Mahasweta Pundorik, Pouraniki, Jibon Pathey, Nirmalya, Ashok Sangeet, Balika Sikkhar Adarsha.

Her classmate, Abala Bose, invigorated the values of feminism in Kamini’s soul. Abala Bose is popularly the face of advocating the education of women and working for the amelioration of the widows. Kamini Roy announced fearlessly to the deaf, superstitious ears, “The aim of women’s education is to contribute to their all-round development and fulfillment of their potential" in a girls' school of Calcutta.

She wrote in The Fruit Of The Tree Of Knowledge, “The male desire to rule is primary, if not the only, stumbling block to women’s enlightenment…They are extremely suspicious of women’s emancipation. Why? The same old fear-Lest they become like us”

In association with Kumudini Mitra (Basu) and Mrinalini Sen, Kamini Roy fought for the rights of women to vote on behalf of the Bangiya Nari Samaj in 1921. In 1925, women were granted the voting rights by the Bengal Legislative Council. They exercised their right in the Indian General Election of 1926. She was also the member of the Female Labour Investigation Commission*.*

Her words heartened other writers and poetesses. Sufia Kamal, a young maiden, whom Kamini encouraged to continue composing by going out of her way to Barisal. The Bengali Literary Conference witnessed her presidentship in 1930. She was also the vice president of the Bangiya Sahitya Parishad in 1932-33.

Today, when we are here, recalling her vigorous attempts to set the podium a bit higher for the womenfolk, it should be kept in mind why feminism encircles the upliftment of women’s welfare more than men. Women have been deprived of the societal amenities for much longer. Hence, it’s very important for everyone, regardless of gender prejudices or these concerning men might seem less trifling, to focus on the issues of feminism.

Her endeavours had been rewarded by the University of Calcutta in the honour of Jagattarini Gold Medal. Google commemorated her 155th birth anniversary by a doodle on October 12, 2019.

Where she created a history. Image Source: The Indian Express

"Why should a woman be confined to home and denied her rightful place in the society?" Google on her 155th birth anniversary.