Jayashri Raiji

Jayashri Naishadh Raiji (1895–1985) was an Indian independence activist, social worker, reformist and politician. She was a member of the 1st Lok Sabha from Bombay Suburban seat.

Early life

Jayashri was born on 26 October 1895 to Sir Manubhai Mehta in Surat and for her higher studies attended the Baroda College.[1]

Career

Known for her social work, Raiji became the chairperson of Bombay Presidency Women's Council in 1919. During the Non-cooperation movement (1930), she participated in the picketing of shops selling foreign goods and was imprisoned by British authorities for six months during the Quit India Movement (1942).To encourage the adoption of swadeshi goods, she helped organise exhibitions and set up women's co-operative stores.[1]

After India gained independence, she contest the first general elections from Bombay Suburban constituency and became a member of the 1st Lok Sabha.[2] She was one of founding members of the Indian Council for Child Welfare.[3] In 1980, she was awarded the Jamnalal Bajaj Award for Development and Welfare of Women And Children.[4]

Personal life

She was married to N. M. Raiji in 1918 and had four children from him.[1] She died in 1985.[5]

References
  1. "Members Bioprofile: Raiji, Shrimati Jayashri". Lok Sabha. Retrieved 26 November 2017.
  2. "Statistical Report on General Elections, 1951 to the First Lok Sabha" (PDF). Election Commission of India. p. 95. Retrieved 27 November 2017.
  3. "They dared to dream..." Indian Council for Child Welfare. Retrieved 27 November 2017.
  4. "Smt. Jayashri Raiji". Jamnalal Bajaj Foundation. Retrieved 26 November 2017.
  5. Mankekar, Kamla (2002). Women Pioneers in India's Renaissance, as I Remember her: Contributions from Eminent women of present-day India. National Book Trust, India. p. ix. ISBN 978-81-237-3766-9.
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