Usha Mehta: Independence-Gandhian Activist 

As Indians, we have had the opportunity of having many nationalist leaders in our struggle for freedom. Majorly all of them have been men. However, women like Usha Mehta have also been the backbone of struggling India. She was a Gandhian and champion of Indian independence (1920-2000). One of her major contributions was organizing the Congress Radio, a clandestine broadcast station that served as a lifeline during the Quit India Movement of 1942. This article will cover everything about the life of Usha Mehta. 

Overview About Usha Mehta

Usha Mehta was awarded the Padma Vibhushan, India’s second-highest civilian honour, in 1998 for all her contributions to Independent India. 

Field	Value
Name	Usha Mehta
Lifespan	25 March 1920- 11 August 2000
Education	Ph. D. in Gandhian Thought
Achievements	Gandhian and independence activist
	Organized the Congress Radio (underground radio station)
Award	Padma Vibhushan (1998)

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Early Life of Usha Mehta

Usha Mehta was born in Saras, Gujarat in 1920. She first met Gandhi at his ashram at age 5 and then what follows is history. Here is the timeline –

• Participated in protests against the British Raj at age 8 (Simon Commission).
• Father, a judge under the British Raj, discouraged activism until his retirement (1930).
• Moved to Bombay at 12 (1932) and became more involved in the freedom movement.
• Distributed bulletins, visited prisoners, and carried messages.
• Influenced by Gandhi, adopted a simple lifestyle and celibacy.
• Average student but excelled in matriculation exams (1935).
• Graduated with a first-class degree in philosophy from Wilson College (1939).
• Began law studies but left to join the Quit India Movement (1942).
• Dedicated herself full-time to the freedom movement from age 22.

Usha Mehta: Student Activism 

Being raised in a family of revolutionaries, Usha Mehta has always been up for any kind of protest for the welfare of the students. 

• Usha Mehta grew up in a family actively involved in India’s independence movement.
• Inspired by her family, she participated in her first protest at the young age of eight.
• Her early activism targeted the Simon Commission, chanting “Simon Go Back.”
• The teenage years saw her engage in various civil disobedience acts, including picketing and promoting khadi.
• Usha actively responded to Gandhi’s call to defy the salt tax.

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Details of Congress Radio

We know the famous ‘Quit India Movement’ which was launched on August 8, 1942 by Mahatma Gandhi. Here Usha Mehta had a great role to play. 

• She faced challenges in establishing Congress Radio due to a lack of funding and technical expertise. 

• Collaborated with Nariman Printer to overcome technical hurdles throughout the nation. 
• The printer’s skills enabled the building of a functional transmitter. 
• Britishers put a lot of regulatory restrictions on Printers. 
• Congress Radio’s first broadcast on September 3, 1942

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