PRAVABATI DEVI: A FACE IN THE CROWD

In addition to being the better half of man woman is an integral part of society but for whom man cannot bring any change in the society. History stands a great testimonial to this. The freedom movement of the nation would not have been possible without the participation of the women. Many women of Odisha forwent their domestic work, crossed their conservative boundary of family and joined the freedom movement of India. In this context, the women of Sambalpur had not lagged behind. One such luminary of the soil is Prabhavati Devi who had shown her valour and valiant role in the freedom struggle of the land. She went to Bari Ashram with the noble mission of imbibing all the virtues from the inspiring company of Malati Devi and Rama Devi. Thereafter, she took active part in various national movements such as Satyagraha, Non cooperation, Salt Movement, Individual Satyagraha, Quit India movement and Bhoodan Movement and went to jail. She carried out many social activities by establishing Matruniketan and Balniketan to serve depressed and deprived people. Because of her unique contribution both in political and social field, she has been accorded many awards both from government and non- government organizations.