Minimata first woman MP of Chhattisgarh : Minimata, the first female Member of Parliament from Chhattisgarh, had a multi-dimensional personality. Thanks to her exceptional leadership skills, she had a unique identity among national leaders. Not only the oppressed Dalit society, but people from all sections recognized her leadership. She played a crucial role in passing the Disability Elimination Act in Parliament. Mini Mata gained popularity for her work in the interest of society.
Minimata actively participated in the progress and betterment of all sections of society, including social reforms. She considered public service as the purpose of her life and worked towards it. She made significant contributions in women empowerment, farmers’ rights, eradication of untouchability, laws against child marriage and dowry, establishment of ashrams for the disabled and orphans, women’s education, and various decisions for the welfare of the people. Minimata’s political activism and dedication led to the enactment of several laws for the rights of the oppressed in the parliament.
Minimata’s real name was Meenakshi Devi. She was born on March 13, 1913, in Daulagaon village in the state of Assam. She had a good knowledge of Assamese, English, Bengali, Hindi, and Chhattisgarhi languages. She was a true embodiment of truth, nonviolence, and love. She married Guru Baba Ghasidas Ji, the fourth descendant of Guru Agam Das. After marriage, she came to Chhattisgarh and dedicated her entire life to the development of the region. Inspired by Guru Agam Das Ji, she actively participated in the freedom movement, social reforms, and upliftment of humanity.
After independence, the first general election of the Lok Sabha took place in 1951-52. Minimata, from 1951 to 1971, remained a member of the Lok Sabha as a Member of Parliament. She will always be remembered as the first female Member of Parliament from Chhattisgarh for her work for the upliftment of Dalits and women. She was elected as the first female Member of Parliament from the reserved Bilaspur-Durg-Raipur constituency in undivided Madhya Pradesh. She later won four elections from the reserved Jangir Lok Sabha constituency for Scheduled Castes.
In memory of Minimata, the Chhattisgarh government has renamed the Sister Maternity Assistance Scheme, which provides financial support for laboring women in the weaker income category of the unorganized sector, to the “Minimata Mahatari Savings Plan.” To make Minimata’s contribution permanent, the Hasdev Bango Dam in former Madhya Pradesh was named after Minimata and a tribute was paid to the farmers for their work done in their interest.
Today, thousands of farmers in the Bilaspur and Janjgir districts are benefiting from irrigation facilities. Minimata advocated for providing employment opportunities to local people in industries. In the year 2000, after the formation of Chhattisgarh, the Chhattisgarh government established the Minimata Memorial to honor her outstanding contributions in the upliftment of society and women empowerment.
