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Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11

THE LITTLE LOTUS

My country, My Bharat
My Mother, My God –

I dedicate to you oh Mother
My body, soul and very life
Bharatmata, I take a vow,
To battle successfully in every strife.

Let us unfurl the banner of unity
Forgetting the petty quarrels
Let feminine power bring,
Greater and higher laurels.

Shed O’ my Hindu sisters
All the old and archaic shackles
Pledge your love, sacrifice and devotion
Do Sevika Samiti’s work with
utmost passion.

This loud clarion call, which awoke the dormant feminine power and evoked the feelings of patriotism in the hearts of tradition-bound Indian women, was given by our most venerated, adorable, Vandaniya ‘Mausiji’- Smt. Lakshmibai Kelkar.

This brief life-sketch of immortal mausiji is dedicated to the great soul, who will always inspire and guide the Sevikas as well as the other Bharatiya women.

Vandaniya Mausiji’s life-story is an inspiring tale - a sage of a warrior, who battled against every odd to emerge as a victor. She led a life dedicated to the care and service of humanity and the Motherland - struggling to establish the supremacy of the Hindu ideology - which many of our countrymen, weighed down by the British shackles were beginning to forget.

Datey family, residing in Mahal area, rejoiced on 6th July, 1905, when they were blessed with a beautiful daughter. The doctor was so attracted by the exceptional glow on the infants’s face, that he suggested that the baby should be called ‘Kamal’ i.e. ‘Lotus flower’ - "Like a lotus blossom, she will attract every one with her inner qualities and external beauty", the doctor’s words were to prove prophetic. It was a co-incidence that the faithful devotee of Shree Ram, respected Mausiji, was born in the Rammandir Lane of Mahal in Nagpur.

As a child, Kamal was adored by everyone. She loved going to the temples with her auntie, popularly known as ‘Dai’. The bhajans, the stories and the Hindu rituals, to which Kamal was exposed at the temples, left and indelible impression on her heart and mind.

Kamal was eager to go to school. She was admitted to ‘Mission School’ which was only one girl’s school situated near Kamal’s residence. Kamal entered an alien environment. What she was being taught in the school was contrary to what she had been learning in the company of ‘Dai’ and her mother. She disliked the criticism of her Hindu gods and goddesses. Yet for the sake of learning, he tried to adjust to that environment.

Then came a turning point - an incident that indicated that even at that tender age, Kamal was courageous, truthful and could stand and protest against anything that was wrong.

All the girls were expected to keep their eyes closed during the prayer time. Kamal was curious whether the teacher also practiced what she preached. She opened her eyes and found the angry eyes of the teacher staring at her. The teacher asked angrily, "Kamal, why are your eyes opened?" Kamal retorted calmly, "Madam, how did you know that my eyes are open? Aren’t you expected to keep your eyes shut?"

Kamal’s fearless boldness won her the reward of a tight slap, which imprinted the palm of the teacher on her tender cheek. The incident also marked the end of Kamal’s brief interlude in the Mission School. On reaching home, Kamal threw her bag and declared that she won’t go to school any more. This decision surprised her mother, Yashodhabai. Then, she saw the imprint of the slap and asked, "Kamal, why is your cheek so red? Tell me, What has happened?"

Kamal narrated the entire incident and firmly declared, "I shall not go again to that school, where they make fun of my Ram and Krishna and look down upon the Hindu culture. I shall go for kirtans with Dai. Maharajji tells far better and interesting stories than our teachers”.

Fearlessness and endurance were the outstanding qualities that were evident in Kamal from the very childhood, Kamal was always in the company of her brothers and behaved like a tomboy, playing all the boyish games. She climbed the trees as dexterously as a monkey, she jumped around and often while playing , bruised her knees and elbows. But, she neither cried in pain nor moaned. She knew that any complaint would result in her games being stopped. So, she smiled and bore everything bravely. It was as if the fate was preparing her to endure the greater blows in the future.

Another remarkable incident, clearly indicated Kamal’s leadership qualities and the power of oration which could influence the people.

Kamal enjoyed playing with the dolls as much as she enjoyed the boyish games. She often arranged marriage of the dolls along with her other friends like Shyama Joglekar and Tai Deshpande. One day, the marriage celebrations took place as usual, and the feast began. At that moment, Kamal was called at home for some work. In her absence an argument started among the kids and the marriage pandal turned into a battlefield. On her return, Kamal glanced at the pandemonium and commanded everyone to be calm in her powerful voice. She said, “Look here, let us forget our petty quarrels. No one is either inferior or superior. Each person has his own importance. Let us not indulge in petty disputes". Everyone was mesmerized by Kamal’s speech. Soon, all the arguments were forgotten and order was restored. Kamal had the ability to promptly assess a situation and use appropriate and powerful words to convey her reaction. This coupled with the sanctified atmosphere of the home had the desired impact on her young impressionable mind which also guided her in future.

Yashodabai, Kamal’s mother, was also a lady of exceptional courage and intelligence - she also had a remarkable presence of mind. It is not surprising that the daughter of such a mother should turn into an outstanding personality.

In those days, ‘Kesari’ the daily newspaper, edited by Lokamanya Tilak had the same place in every home as any religious book. Bhaskarrao Datey, Kamal’s father, read the ‘Kesari’ every morning. Later in the afternoon, after the completion of all the household work, Yashodabai gathered all the ladies from the neighbourhood. Lokmanya Tilak’s statue was placed on the stool, incense sticks were lighted and Kesari was then read with deep devotion. Even though the semi-literate ladies had to strive to join the alphabets and formulate the words, yet they never missed reading the ‘Kesari’ for even a single day and imbibed the spirit behind the letters.

Kesari also influenced Kamal very deeply. Hatred for the British imperialism and its repressive measures and resentment against slavery were kindled in Kamal’s heart. Kesari indoctrinated patriotism in Kamal.

One day, as Kamal returned home, after her games, she was astonished to see an Englishman in her home, conversing with her mother.

"Is it true that you subscribe to Kesari", he was asking her mother.

"Of course, yes", Ma replied.

"Your husband is a Government servant and buying ‘Kesari’ is a crime. It is an act of sedition. Don’t you know this?"

Kamal was curious to hear her mother’s reply. Ma stood her ground, "I purchase Kesari with my money and I am not a government servant."

"But your husband is, and you use his salary that is the government money to buy Kesari. isn’t it?"

"No, you are mistaken again. The money given for the house-hold expenses belongs to the housewife and no body else". Yashodabai said emphatically, "I can spend that money as I please. I buy ‘Kesari’ with my own money".

The Englishman was speechless. He left without further argument.

Even though Bhaskarrao was worried about the reaction of the British Government to his wife’s boldness, he supported her whole-heartedly and encouraged her stand.

These impressions left an everlasting mark on tender Kamal. Whilst living in Nagpur, she was fortunate to hear the speeches of many great patriotic leaders. Every such moment was fanning the fire of patriotism in her heart.