usha mehta biography in english

Usha Mehta Wiki, Age, Death, Husband, Children, Family, Biography & More

Wiki/Biography

Usha Mehta was born on Thursday, 25 March 1920 ( age 80 Years; at the time of death ) in Saras village near Surat in Gujarat, India. Her zodiac sign was Aries. Usha Mehta received her initial school education at Kheda and Bharuch in Gujarat and then in Chandaramji High School, Bombay, now Mumbai. In 1939, she earned a bachelors degree in philosophy at Wilson College, Bombay. [1] The Better India Afterwards, Usha Mehta earned a political science degree at Wilson College, Bombay. Later, she obtained a PhD in Gandhian thought at the University of Bombay, now Mumbai University. [2] New York Times

Physical Appearance

Hair Colour: Grey

Eye Colour: Black

Parents & Siblings

Her father’s name was Hariprasad Mehta. He was a district-level judge under the British Raj. Her mother’s name was Gheliben Mehta. She was a homemaker. She had an elder brother.

Other Relatives

Usha Mehta has three nephews. Her first nephew’s name is Ketan Mehta who is a renowned Bollywood filmmaker.

Ketan Mehta

Her second nephew is Dr Yatin Mehta who is an anaesthetist. He also worked as the Director of Escorts Hospital and is associated with Medicity in Gurgaon.

Dr Yatin Mehta

Her third nephew is Dr Nirad Mehta who was an Indian Army officer and is working at P.D. Hinduja National Hospital, Mumbai.

Dr Nirad Mehta

Husband & Children

Usha Mehta never married or had children. [3] New York Times

Freedom Fighter

At the age of five, Usha Mehta saw Mahatma Gandhi for the first time at his ashram in Ahmedabad. Soon afterwards, Gandhi visited her village for a campaign where little Usha participated in spinning charkha, and she also attended the speeches delivered by Mahatma Gandhi. At the age of eight, in 1928, Usha participated in several protests against Simon Commission and raised slogans of ‘British Raj: Simon Go Back.’ In an interview with a media house, Usha revealed her childhood memory,

I had the satisfaction of breaking the law and doing something for the nation even as a young child.” A Childhood Picture of Usha Mehta

Usha, along with other village girls, participated in morning protests against the British Raj while surrounding and picketing in front of various liquor shops. In one of the protests, a girl with an Indian flag in her hand was fell down by the policemen during the lathi charge. The children later complained to their parents and elders about the incident. In the next protest, all these children seen wearing the tri-colour (saffron, white and green) dresses and shouting to the British policemen,

Policemen, you can wield your sticks and your batons, but you cannot bring down our flag.”

Young Usha Mehta

Her father was not happy with Usha when she participated in several freedom fighter movements. However, the restrictions turned down when her father retired in 1930, and they moved to Bombay, now Mumbai. In 1932, Usha Mehta began participating in Quit India Movement by distributing secret bulletins and publications to the prisoners and meeting their relatives to carry secret information. On 8 August 1942, Indian National Congress and Mahatma Gandhi announced the Quit India Movement and delivering of anti-British speeches at Gowalia Tank Maidan in Bombay, now Mumbai. All the major leaders including Mahatma Gandhi got arrested before the day and the gathered crowd was handled by the junior leaders for addressing them and hoisting the flag. Usha, along with other freedom fighters, began a Secret Congress Radio on 14 August 1942. On 27 August, this radio went on air. Her first words were broadcasted on the air on this Secret Congress radio were,

This is the Congress radio calling on [a wavelength of] 42.34 meters from somewhere in India.” [4] New York Times The equipment set up of the Secret Congress Radio of Usha Mehta

Vithalbhai Jhaveri, Chandrakant Jhaveri, Babubhai Thakkar, and Nanka Motwani were Usha’s associates who provided the radio equipment and technicians to launch it. The names of the other leaders who helped and assisted Usha in the launching of the Secret Congress Radio were Dr Ram Manohar Lohia, Achyutrao Patwardhan, and Purushottam Trikamdas. The messages of Mahatma Gandhi and other notable leaders were aired on this secret radio. The organisers of the Secret Congress Radio managed to avoid being caught by the Britishers by changing the radio’s location daily. On 12 November 1942, Usha Mehta, along with the organizers of the radio, were arrested by the police and later, imprisoned. [5] New York Times She was interrogated by the Indian Police and the CID for straight six months. She was kept in sole confinement and was given study abroad allurements by the police for betraying the movement. During all her court sessions, she remained quiet and did not answer any of the questions. She was sentenced to four years imprisonment and was kept in Yeravda Jail in Pune. During her imprisonment period, her health deteriorated, and she was admitted to Sir J. J. Hospital, Bombay, now Mumbai. Soon, her health improved and was again sent to Yeravda Jail. She was released in March 1946 on the orders of the then home minister in the interim government Morarji Desai. She was considered the first political prisoner to be released in Bombay. The Secret Congress Radio remained in use only for three months during the Quit India Movement. Being a part of the secret radio, Usha called it a “finest moment” in an interview with a media house. Later, it was revealed that an Indian technician leaked the information about the secret radio to the authorities.

Lecturer/Professor

After she was released from jail in 1946, she continued her further studies as a PhD scholar at Bombay University. Usha Mehta was associated with Bombay University, Mumbai University as a research student, an assistant professor, a lecturer and a professor for a long time. She also served as the head of the civics and politics department of Bombay University. In 1980, she received her superannuation from Bombay University.

Literary Works

Soon after the independence of India, Usha Mehta penned several articles and essays on her various social-political movements in English and Gujarati. She co-authored books like Mahatma Gandhi and Humanism (2000), Women and Men Voters, the 1977-80 Experiment (1981), Gandhi’s Contribution to the Emancipation of Women (1991), Vishv Ki Kaljayi Mahilaye, Antar Nirantar, Dances of South India etc.

Other Recognitions

Usha Mehta was chosen as the president of the Gandhi Smarak Nidhi and Gandhi Peace Foundation, New Delhi. She also participated in the matters of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan. On India’s 50th anniversary of freedom, the Government of India associated her with a number of celebrations. Later, with the passage of time, Usha remained unhappy with the ways in which the social, political and economical developments of modern India were taking place. In an interview with India Today media, she stated,

Certainly this is not the freedom we fought for. Once people were ensconced in positions of power, the rot would set in. We didn’t know the rot would sink in so soon. “India has survived as a democracy and even built a good industrial base. Still, it is not the India of our dreams.”

Awards, Honours, Achievements

• Usha Mehta is the recipient of Padma Vibhushan in 1998, the second-highest civilian award in India.

In August 2000, Usha Mehta participated in the celebrations of the Quit India Movement in August Kranti Maidan though she was suffering from fever. After two days, she died peacefully at the age of 80, on 11 August 2000. [6] New York Times

Facts/Trivia

• She earned the name Ushaben during the Quit India Movement. [7] The Better India

Indians protesting during the Quit India Movement

• After Usha was released in 1946, her failing health stopped her to participate in any political and social work. Even she was not able to attend the official function of India’s Independence in New Delhi. Later, she continued her studies and submitted a doctoral dissertation on the political and social thought of Gandhi. She received a PhD from Bombay University, now Mumbai University.
• Initially, Usha and her associates were broadcasting the secret radio twice a day, in Hindi and English languages; however, they broadcasted on it just once in the evening between 7.30 and 8.30 pm. It was broadcasted three times only. The first broadcast was on August 27, 1942. The second broadcast was between February and March 1943. The third time, it was broadcasted for a week during January 1944.
• The major news that was telecasted by Usha Mehta and her associates on the secret radio was: A Japanese air raid on the British army at Chittagong. This city is now a part of Bangladesh. The Jamshedpur Strike was also telecasted by them when the 13 days strike was held at Tata Iron and Steel Company by the labour workers to support the Quit India Movement demanding the formation of the Indian government. This steel mill was the largest steel mill of the British empire. Ashti and Chimur riots were also informed by the secret radio where the police openly fired on the people and arrested many Congress leaders.

When the newspapers dared not touch upon these subjects under the prevailing conditions, it was only the Congress Radio which could defy the orders and tell the people what actually was happening.”

They seized the equipment and 22 cases containing photos and sound films of the Congress party sessions.”

• When Usha joined the movement in 1932, initially, she sold salt in small packets as a part of Gandhi’s “salt march.” This was done to push the government to regulate and monopolize salt in India.
• Usha was an eminent advocate of Gandhian philosophy and thought. She was a follower of Gandhi who decided to remain celibate for life, not involving in luxurious things and wearing khadi clothes only.

I do not know you personally, but I admire your courage and enthusiasm and your desire to contribute your might to the sacrificial fire that has been lit by Mahatma Gandhi.”

• Usha Mehta lived a frugal and simple life. Instead of driving a car, she used to board a bus. Handwoven dresses and Khadis were worn by her throughout her life. She even managed to live on tea and bread. She used to wake at 4 am in morning and worked late evenings. [8] New York Times

Usha Mehta in 1996 while addressing a conference

• The iconic slogan of Mahatma Gandhi “Do or Die. We shall either free India or die in the attempt” that he spoke on 8 August 1942, prompted Usha Mehta to fight against the British rule in India. [9] BBC
• According to several media houses, a biopic on Usha Mehta is going to be made by Indian film director and producer Karan Johar . [10] WION

Did our great leaders sacrifice their lives for this kind of India? It is a pity the new generation of political activists and leaders are paying scant respect to the Gandhian ideas, the chief among which was non-violence. If we don’t mend our ways, we may find ourselves back at square one.”

Usha Mehta as a Chief Guest at an event

References [+] [−]

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Overlooked No More: Usha Mehta, Freedom Fighter Against British Rule in India

At 22, she helped establish the underground station Congress Radio, which amplified Mahatma Gandhi’s message of rebellion.

By Geneva Abdul

Overlooked is a series of obituaries about remarkable people whose deaths, beginning in 1851, went unreported in The Times.

When Mahatma Gandhi gave his famous “ Do or Die ” speech on Aug. 8, 1942, galvanizing Indians to demand the end of British rule, Usha Mehta heeded the call.

With the help of other activists, Mehta, who was 22 at the time, secured a ghost transmitter and started an underground radio station to amplify Gandhi’s message.

“When the press is gagged and all news banned, a transmitter certainly helps a good deal in furnishing the public with the facts of the happenings and in spreading the message of rebellion,” Mehta recalled in a 1969 interview .

Gandhi had called for the start of a mass civil disobedience movement, the Quit India campaign, but he was quickly arrested by the British , as were the Congress leaders who were supporting him.

On Aug. 14, Mehta and her colleagues, broadcasting from a secret location, went live.

“This is Congress Radio calling on 42.34 meters from somewhere in India,” she said from behind the microphone, referring to their wavelength.

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Usha Mehta, the 22-year-old who ran an underground radio station to aid India's fight for independence

Usha mehta, the inspiration behind sara ali khan's 'ae watan mere watan' began as a 22-year-old freedom fighter in college. she was one of india's original radio journalists who ran the underground congress radio that aided in the nation's fight for independence..

Listen to Story

“This is the Congress Radio calling from 42.34 metres from somewhere in India,” the voice of the 22-year-old Usha Mehta called India to alert on August 14, 1942.

THE STUDENT ACTIVIST WITH A POWERFUL VOICE

Born on February 24, 1920, so inspired was Mehta by her father's involvement in the Indian National Congress, that she was drawn into politics since her childhood, having even found herself in the police lockup with other little children of the Vanar Sena.

She was ranked one of the top 25 students in her matriculation or Class 10 exam in 1935. Mehta was fluent in four languages – English, Gujarati, Hindi and Marathi – and made her mark in debate and elocution at Wilson College.

Usha Mehta Biography in english (Freedom Fighter of India)

• Post author: studybymind
• Post published: August 28, 2022
• Post category: Popular person (लोकप्रिय व्यक्ति)
• Post comments: 0 Comments

Usha Mehta Introduction

Usha Mehta is the female Indian freedom fighter (1942). Usha Mehta Biography in english – Who participated with Gandhi in the Quit India Movement. Usha Mehta was a woman of Gandhian ideology. Usha is also called India’s first radio woman. Because in the fight for independence, the intelligence radio service was started. Many brave women were born in India, one of them was Usha Mehta. Let us introduce you to his life  

उषा मेहता जीवन परिचय in hindi – ” Click here “

Usha Mehta Biography (Education, Death, Family, Birth, Award, Freedom fighter, Secret Congress Radio, Quit India movement) Usha Mehta Biography , Usha Mehta Biography in english (Freedom Fighter of India)

Usha Mehta Early Life and Birth

Usha Mehta was born on 25 March 1920 in Saras District Surat Gujarat. She was the second child of her parents. Usha Mehta used to live in Gandhian ideology since childhood. She considered Gandhiji as her ideal since childhood. She loved her parents very much. Usha Mehta’s early life was spent in Saras district, Surat, Gujarat. She moved to Bombay after her father was transferred to Bombay.

Usha Mehta’s Education

Usha Mehta had her early education at Kheda School in her village Saras. Due to the transfer of Usha Mehta’s father Hariprasad Mehta (District Magistrate in British Raj) from Surat, she had to settle in Bombay with her family, so she did her high school education from Chandaji School, Bombay. She was very smart in studies. Usha Mehta completed her graduation from Wilson College Bombay. After that, after independence from jail in 1946, he continued his studies. Completed PhD from Gandhian ideology from Bombay University.

Usha Mehta’s Family

Usha Mehta was born in a Gujarati family. She was the darling daughter of her parents. Usha Mehta’s father’s name was Hariprasad Mehta, he was a judge. Usha Mehta’s mother’s name was Gheniben Mehta, which was a duodenum. He also had a brother in Usha Mehta’s family.

• Father’s Name Hariprasad Mehta (Judge)
• Mother’s Name Ghaniben Mehta (Housewife)
• Brother’s Name Not Known 

Usha Mehta’s Political Career (Quit India Movement)

Usha Mehta used to go to college at that time. He started the Secret Congress Radio Service during Quit India Movement Quiet India Movement. Usha Mehta was influenced by Mahatma Gandhi’s path of non-violence to get freedom. Quit India Movement was started on 3 August 1942 at Gopalia Tank Maidan in Mumbai. Along with Gandhiji, all the big leaders of Congress were arrested. Apart from Usha Mehta, some small Congress leaders had escaped arrest.

How was Congress Secret Radio established? (Secret Congress Radio)

On 14 August 1942, Usha Mehta, along with her colleagues, started the service of Secret Congress Radio at the age of 22 at the intelligence base. The Congress Secret Radio, run by Usha Mehta, ran for a total of 88 days while escaping from the British. Intelligence radio was broadcast only three times – the first broadcast on 27 August 1942, the second from February to March 1948 and the first week of January 1944. In the first broadcast, Usha Mehta announced on the radio in a low voice –

  This is Congress Radio’s service, which is being broadcast from any part of India at 42.34m. Usha Mehta

Usha Mehta was accompanied by Vithalbhai Zaveri, Chandrakant Zaveri, Babubhai Thakkar and Nanka Motwani at that time. Nanka Motwani was the owner of Shikamo Radio. Historian Gautam Chatterjee writes in his “ Secret Congress Broad caste and Starmina Railway Track during Quit India movement” that when the voices of revolution were zero. Congress Secret Radio gave courage to the people in those dark moments.

” More about Congress Secret Radio “

Arrest of usha mehta.

The stations of this intelligence radio service were changed almost daily to save Usha Mehta from the eyes of British rule. But even after many efforts, the Intelligence Congress Radio Service could not last long. On 12 November 1942, the British government arrested Usha Mehta and many of her associates. The case was tried in the High Court and Usha Mehta was sentenced to four years. Usha completed her sentence with the hope of freedom and was released from prison in 1946.

Physical appearance of Usha Mehta

• age – 80 years (at the time of death)
• height – 5.3 feet
• Hair color – white
• eye color – black
• skin color – fair
• Cause of death – at the age of 80 due to illness

Married life, Husband name of Usha Mehta

Usha Mehta was a social worker. He devoted his whole life in social service. She remained unmarried throughout her life . He never married.

Usha Mehta Award and Reward

Awarded the Padma Vibhushan Award by the Government of India in the year 1998.

Usha Mehta Biopic Film (Film, Movie)

Usha Mehta was a 1942 freedom fighter woman. She was a woman of Gandhian ideology. Bollywood actress Sara Ali Khan will play the character of Usha Mehta in the film “Yeh Watan Mere Watan” by Bollywood film director Karan Johar (Dharma Production). Usha Mehta played an important role in the Quit India Movement of 1942. Where she used to run an underground radio channel.

Death of Usha Mehta

Usha Mehta also attended the anniversary celebrations of the Quit India Movement in August 2000 due to ill-health. Suddenly his health worsened and he died on 11 August 2000. When Usha Mehta was 80 years old.

FAQ Section

Q. who was usha mehta.

Ans . Usha Mehta is a woman Indian freedom fighter (1942). Who participated with Gandhiji in Quit India movement Usha Mehta was a woman of Gandhian ideology. Usha is also called India’s first radio woman. Because she started the intelligence radio service in the freedom struggle.

Q. Who started the underground radio station during the Quit India Movement?

Ans . The underground radio station was started by Usha Mehta during the Quit India Movement.

Q. Who started the Congress Secret Radio Service?

A ns . On August 14, 1942, Usha Mehta, along with her colleagues, started the service of Secret Congress Radio at the age of 22 at the intelligence base. Congress Secret Radio run by Usha Mehta while escaping from the British ran for a total of 88 days.

Q. When was the first broadcast of Congress Secret Radio?

Ans. Congress Secret Radio operated by Usha Mehta ran for a total of 88 days, only three times Intelligence Radio first broadcast 27 August 1942.

Q. What was the name of Usha Mehta’s husband?

Ans . Usha Mehta was a social worker. He devoted his whole life in social service. She remained single throughout her life, she never married.

Q. How did Usha Mehta die?

Ans. Usha Mehta died due to ill health in August 2000 at the celebrations of the Quit India Movement had attended. Suddenly his health worsened and he died on 11 August 2000. When Usha Mehta was 80 years old.

Q. What was the name of Usha Mehta’s mother father ?

Ans. father Name of Hariprasad Mehta (Judge) Name of Mother Gheniben Mehta (Housewife)

See also –

• more Information about Usha Mehta – “Click here”
• Draupadi Murmu (President of India) Biography – “Click here”
• Mahatma Gandhi Biography – “Click Here”

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Usha Mehta (1920-2000): Broadcasting Freedom in British India

I. Introduction

Usha Mehta, a prominent figure in India’s fight for independence, dedicated her life to the cause of freedom. Known for her contributions to the Quit India Movement, she served as a beacon of resistance against British rule, using clandestine radio broadcasts to disseminate news and stoke nationalistic fervor. Her story is a testament to the power of perseverance, resilience, and unwavering commitment to the cause of freedom, proving her to be a significant figure in the annals of Indian history. Her life and achievements underscore the pivotal role she played in shaping the course of India’s struggle for independence.

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II. Early Life and Inspiration

A. Birth on February 24, 1920, and her father’s involvement in Indian National Congress

• Born in the village of Saras, situated near Surat in the state of Gujarat.
• Father was a judge under the British Raj, but was involved in the Indian National Congress .
• Father’s involvement in politics served as a source of inspiration for Usha from a young age.

B. Initial involvement in politics and childhood experiences with the Vanar Sena

• Participated in the fight against British rule from a young age.
• At the age of eight, she took part in her first protest against the Simon Commission .
• During the Salt Satyagraha , she would bring seawater to her home and produce salt out of it.
• Found herself in the police lockup with other little children of the Vanar Sena .
• After her father’s retirement in 1930, she was allowed to participate more fully in freedom struggle activities.

C. Academic prowess – fluent in four languages, top student, and debate excellence at Wilson College

• Ranked one of the top 25 students in her matriculation or Class 10 exam in 1935.
• Fluent in four languages – English, Gujarati, Hindi, and Marathi .
• Demonstrated prowess in debate and elocution at Wilson College.
• Graduated with first-class honours in Philosophy from Wilson College, Bombay.
• Began preparing to study for law, but halted her studies to join the freedom struggle with the announcement of the Quit India Movement.

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III. Quit India Movement and Contribution

A. Decision to halt law studies to join the Quit India movement

• Usha Mehta decided to halt her law studies to join the Quit India Movement in 1942.
• The announcement of the Quit India Movement was a pivotal moment that led her to dedicate her full energies towards the freedom struggle.

B. Involvement with the Indian National Congress and work with other freedom fighters

• Usha Mehta was a key part of the All India Congress Committee session in 1942.
• Heard powerful speeches by leaders like Mahatma Gandhi , Jawaharlal Nehru , Maulana Azad , and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel .
• These speeches served as a source of inspiration for her to establish the secret Congress Radio.

C. Role in initiating the underground Congress Radio

• Launched the first announcement of “Congress Radio” on 14th August 1942.
• Would deliver the news bulletin in both English and Hindi, beginning with the song “Hindustan Hamara” and ending with “Vande Mataram”.
• The purpose of the radio was to spread nationalistic fervor and inform the world about the events taking place in India.
• Despite strict surveillance by British authorities, Usha Mehta’s station continued to report on the atrocities committed by the British.
• The station had to frequently change its position to remain anonymous and hidden from the British radar.
• The team changed around 7-8 stations during the Quit India Movement.
• The Congress Radio played a crucial role in spreading awareness and rallying support for the Quit India Movement.
• It was a powerful tool for disseminating news and the perspectives of the freedom fighters.
• Despite eventual capture and imprisonment, Usha Mehta’s work with Congress Radio had a lasting impact on the Quit India movement.

IV. The Challenges and Imprisonment

A. Description of Mehta’s arrest and subsequent imprisonment

• On 12th November 1942 , as they were hosting a show from Girgaon, the police arrested Usha Mehta along with her associates.
• She was tried in a special court for five weeks and sentenced to four years of rigorous imprisonment.

B. Conditions of imprisonment and her resilience in the face of adversity

• During the imprisonment, Usha Mehta was kept in solitary confinement .
• She was enticed by the government with offers to study abroad in exchange for information about her fellow freedom fighters.
• Despite these pressures, she remained adamant and did not disclose any information, showcasing her strong character and dedication to the cause.

C. Release from prison and feelings upon release

• Usha Mehta was released in 1946 , becoming the first political prisoner to be released in Bombay.
• Upon her release, she said, “I came back from the jail happy and proud because I had the satisfaction of carrying Bapu’s message, ‘Do or Die’ and having contributed my humble might to the cause of freedom.” This statement underlines her unwavering commitment to India’s struggle for independence.

V. Transition to Education and Social Development

A. Decision to leave politics and shift focus to education

• After the independence of India, Usha Mehta decided to leave politics and dedicated her life to education and social development . This shift in focus came from her belief in the importance of education for nation-building.

B. Journey in the Bombay University’s Department of Civics and Politics

• Usha Mehta returned to the University of Bombay as a faculty member in the Department of Civics and Politics .
• Her academic focus was on Gandhian philosophy, which she shared with her students.
• She attained a PhD in Gandhian thought from the University of Bombay.

C. Involvement with University Grants Commission (UGC), Administrative Reforms Committee of Gujarat, and the Shrimati Nathibai Damodar Thackersey Women’s University

• She served as a member of the University Grants Commission (UGC) , contributing to policy-making in higher education.
• Usha Mehta was a member of the Administrative Reforms Committee of Gujarat , which aimed to bring about effective changes in the administrative system.
• She also served on the Senate and the Board of Studies of Shrimati Nathibai Damodar Thackersey Women’s University , contributing her expertise and knowledge for the betterment of women’s education.

D. Work at Mani Bhavan Gandhi Sangrahalaya and Bombay Gandhi Smarak Nidhi

• She was associated with the Mani Bhavan Gandhi Sangrahalaya , a museum and historical building dedicated to Gandhi in Mumbai.
• Usha Mehta worked with the Bombay Gandhi Smarak Nidhi , an institution dedicated to preserving the memory and teachings of Mahatma Gandhi.

E. Founding of the Bhavan’s Cultural Centre in Mumbai

• Usha Mehta was instrumental in the founding of the Bhavan’s Cultural Centre in Mumbai, a hub for the cultural and intellectual growth of the city’s residents. It became a platform for promoting traditional Indian culture and values.

VI. Recognition and Retirement

A. Awards received, including the Padma Vibhushan and Jamnalal Bajaj Award

• Usha Mehta was honored with several awards recognizing her significant contributions to India’s freedom struggle and post-independence development.
• In 1998 , she was bestowed with the Padma Vibhushan , the second-highest civilian award in India, by the government of India.
• She was also the recipient of the Jamnalal Bajaj Award . This award is given annually to individuals who have made significant contributions to Gandhian values.

B. The Passing of Usha Mehta

• Usha Mehta continued to be an active advocate for education and social development throughout her life.
• She passed away on August 11, 2000 , leaving behind a legacy of steadfast patriotism, commitment to education, and unwavering belief in Gandhian values.

VII. Conclusion

Dr. Usha Mehta’s story is a testament to the power of unwavering dedication to a cause and the resilience of the human spirit. Her early involvement in India’s freedom struggle, her vital contribution to the Quit India Movement through the Congress Radio, and her enduring courage in the face of imprisonment highlight her exceptional commitment to her country. Equally remarkable is her transition from politics to education and social development, where she left a significant impact in various capacities. Despite the challenges she faced, her belief in Gandhian values and her commitment to social justice remained steadfast. The recognition she received, including the prestigious Padma Vibhushan, underscores the lasting influence of her work. Usha Mehta’s life and work serve as an enduring beacon of inspiration, reminding us of the power of conviction, courage, and commitment to societal betterment.

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Who was Usha Mehta, the woman whose life inspired Ae Watan Mere Watan?

The movie is set to start streaming on Amazon Prime Video March 21 onwards

"This is Congress Radio calling on 42.34 metres from somewhere in India", a 22-year-old girl's voice reverberated through the radio on August 14, 1942. Usha Mehta, a revolutionary figure in the Indian Independence struggle, developed a secretive radio station in India during British rule. It broadcasted patriotic speeches and news across the country. 

On August 8, 1942, when Gandhiji was delivering the famous "Do or Die" speech, Mehta and her colleagues developed the station and it helped intensify the feeling of unity among the public. In a 1969 interview she said, " When the press is gagged and all news banned, a transmitter certainly helps a good deal in furnishing the public with the facts of the happenings and in spreading the message of rebellion." On August 14, she and her colleagues went on a live broadcast of Gandhiji's announcement on the Quit India campaign and later, his arrest by the British. The location for the broadcast was confidential. 

The broadcasts were in both English and Indian languages daily in the morning and evening. During that period she was a political science student at Wilson College in Bombay (now Mumbai). The famous Jamshedpur working labourer's strike from the Tata Iron and Steel Company was also reported from the station. "When the newspapers dared not touch upon these subjects under the prevailing conditions, it was only the Congress Radio which could defy the orders and tell the people what actually was happening," Mehta said.

After a technician betrayed their confidential locality, Mehta and her colleagues were caught on November 12, 1942. More than 50 officers charged to the spot and arrested them and Mehta was jailed until 1946. "I came back from jail a happy and, to an extent, a proud person, because I had the satisfaction of carrying out Bapu's message, 'Do or Die', she said.

Usha Mehta was born on March 25, 1920, in Saras, Gujarat to Gheliben Mehta, a homemaker and Hariprasad Mehta, a district-level judge. Her father's involvement in the Indian National Congress made her to be a part of the movement. She never married and had no children.  

She earned a Ph.D. in Gandhian Thought from the University of Bombay and for 30 years, she served as a professor of political science at Wilson College. She was the President of the Gandhi Peace Foundation and in 1998, India honoured her Padma Vibhushan. She died on August 11, 2000, at the age of 80.

The Bollywood film, based on her life, Ae Watan Mere Watan, is set to release on March 21. In the leading role is Sara Ali Khan (as Usha Mehta), who is notable for her appearances in  Kedarnath  (2018),  Love Aaj Kal  (2020) and the latest  Murder Mubarak  (2024). 

The movie is directed and co-written by Kannan Iyer, who was the writer of  Victory  (2009) and the director of  Ek Thi Daayan  (2013), and produced by Karan Johar, Apoorva Mehta, and Somen Mishra. Apart from Khan, the movie also stars Alexx O'Nell, Emraan Hashmi and Abhay Verma. The movie is set to start streaming on Amazon Prime Video March 21 onwards.

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Story of Usha Mehta: An Underground Radio, A Young Women & The Fight For India’s Freedom

By Pooja Kalbalia

A small, older woman wearing an off-white sari was presented to me while reading about prominent Indian women who have achieved great heights in India. One of the Quit India movement’s most influential individuals in her teens was Usha Mehta. She played a crucial part in developing an underground radio that broadcasts inspirational bulletins from covert locations to maintain the spirit of freedom among those patriots who were still outside the prison on August 9, 1942, the day Gandhi and other Congress leaders were captured.

I was satisfied with breaking the law and doing something for the nation even as a young child.

Usha Mehta founded Congress Radio in her early twenties and attended college in a place still known as Bombay. Eventually, the British Raj located the radio and captured those who started it. Usha Mehta herself was incarcerated for several years. After being freed, she continued her education and became a respected political professor at Bombay University. She also significantly managed Mani Bhavan’s ?a historical building and a museum dedicated to Gandhi ? upkeep and art exhibits and organised discussions on Gandhi’s legacy and the liberation movemen t. 

Policemen, you can wield your sticks and batons, but you cannot bring down our flag.

In a city that had meant so much to Gandhi and his movement, the feisty young girl who was instrumental in starting an underground radio station evolved into the kind, middle-aged lady who continued to maintain this most significant tribute to Gandhi. Usha Mehta never got married and devoted her life to her students, her scholarship, and the upkeep of Mani Bhavan.

“A hopeful message”

The folklore surrounding the Quit India Movement has long included the tale of the Congress radio that Usha Mehta oversaw. Thanks to Usha Thakkar’s most recent book, Congress Radio: Usha Mehta and the Underground Radio of 1942 , the incident has been elevated from folklore to history. As a former student of Usha Mehta who, like her, later worked in management at Mani Bhavan, Thakkar carefully mined archival records to create a book that should interest both academics and general readers.

Importantly, this historical work connects directly to the present. An excerpt from the bulletin of the Congress Radio program dated October 20, 1942, is given below:

“The Indian people convey a message of peace, goodwill, and hope to the rest of humanity. Let’s put today’s acts of violence toward one another behind us. Just keep in mind that each nation’s generosity and each person’s actions are necessary for the creation of a truly peaceful and better world. Germany has the technical expertise, scientific expertise, and musical talent that we need. The liberalism, bravery, and literature of England are essential. We require the grace of Italy. Russia’s past triumphs and present victories are necessary. Austria, a lovely country that loves to laugh, must give us the gift of laughter. We require her culture, her love of abundant living, and China. But what about China? Her insight, bravery, and renewed optimism are what we need. The youthful optimism and spirit of exploration are essential. The wisdom and innocent simplicity of the apes are exactly what we need. We need all of humanity to renew peace and restore humanity’s dignity.”

The spirit of this message was the nationalism that once existed in India, and it was written and aired during a highly violent struggle between nations. While firmly committed to independence from foreign rule, risking life and limb to achieve political freedom, and deeply ingrained in the linguistic and cultural traditions of the various parts of the subcontinent, this person also understood that our nation would benefit from unbiased interactions with, and a healthy appreciation of, the best cultural, political, and intellectual resources that other countries had to offer. 

When the newspapers dared not touch upon these subjects under the prevailing conditions, only the Congress Radio could defy the orders and tell the people what was happening.

Due to its crucial role in India’s freedom movement, the history of the clandestine Congress Radio is an intriguing but understudied section of the account that requires attention. It tells the tale of a merry band of young patriots who ran the Congress Radio, fervently promoting the cause of freedom and informing listeners about the fight against the oppressive reign of the British government. The story of her endeavour is both gripping and inspirational since, in addition to making history quickly, it also provided the public with trustworthy news, fostering confidence among them and alarming the British. The ability of the radio to inspire listeners during those dark and trying times and fan the flame of freedom in their hearts was equally astounding. It also taught the kids the importance of ideas and objectives and making selfless, challenging attempts to realize these seemingly unattainable goals.

Professor Usha Mehta, the lone female in the group, made an incredibly courageous and sympathetic contribution. She excelled academically and became one of India’s most notable freedom fighters. She maintained contact with the general public despite receiving the prestigious Padma Vibhushan from the Indian government and being recognized as an eminent academic. Her warmth, simplicity, and humility enamoured people since she had ingrained Gandhian values early in life. She made an outstanding contribution to the 1942 operation of the clandestine Congress Radio.

In addition to her radio broadcasts, Usha Mehta contributed to the Indian independence struggle. She took a lead role in several other initiatives, including protest planning, leaflet distribution, and fundraising. She was a persistent advocate for women’s rights and the rights of underrepresented groups. She was instrumental in creating the All India Women’s Conference, which became a strong voice for women’s rights in India.

Usha Mehta left a lasting impact as a social reformer and independence fighter that continues to motivate people in India and around the globe. She has served as a symbol of inspiration and hopes for generations of Indians because of her courage, passion, and dedication to the cause of Indian freedom. Her contributions to the independence movement will always be remembered and honoured since she was a true patriot who gave her entire life to serving her nation.

Usha Mehta, a champion of freedom and the founder of a secret radio service for news dissemination

Ms. Pooja Kalbalia is a PhD Scholar at Christ University, Bangalore. An alumna of the University of Delhi and the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), New Delhi, she has extensive experience in media planning, marketing, and advertising. Her doctoral research focuses on the effects of media and social determinants of health on health seeking behaviour of gig workers. Her research revolves around exploring the health and well-being of gig workers. Ms. Kalbalia has presented her work at national and international conferences, including the Population Association of Singapore (PAS) Annual Meeting in Singapore. Recognized for her contributions, she was awarded the "Ad Person of the Year" by IIMCAA in 2021, the second-best paper award at Surana Educational Institutes in 2024, and a travel grant from ICSSR for participating in an international conference.

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Usha Mehta Age, Death, Husband, Children, Family, Biography & More

Some Lesser Known Facts About Usha Mehta

• Usha Mehta was a Gandhian and an Indian freedom fighter. She is remembered for setting up an underground radio during the Quit India Movement initiated by Mahatma Gandhi in 1942. This radio was named as ‘Secret Congress Radio’ that functioned for transmitting the secret information of India’s great leaders to the general public and Indian prisoners in British rule. In 1998, she was honoured with the ‘Padma Vibhushan’ second-highest civilian award of India by the Government of India.

I had the satisfaction of breaking the law and doing something for the nation even as a young child.” A Childhood Picture of Usha Mehta

Policemen, you can wield your sticks and your batons, but you cannot bring down our flag.” Young Usha Mehta

• Initially, Usha Mehta’s father was not in favour of her participation in freedom fighting campaigns and protests. In 1930, when her father retired as a judge, Usha’s family moved from Gujarat to Bombay to participate in India’s struggle for freedom. The restrictions to participate in protests were uplifted by her father soon after their shift. Usha started participating in Quit India Movement in 1932.
• In the beginning, when Usha participated in the movement in 1932, she started selling small packets of salt as a part of Gandhi’s “Salt March” movement. The Salt March was organised by Mahatma Gandhi to monopolize and regulate Indian salt companies in India. She also began distributing secret information, bulletins and publications to the Indian prisoners and their relatives.

Gowalia Tank Maidan, Mumbai during the Quit India Movement headed by Mahatma Gandhi

• In 1942, Usha Mehta decided to continue her further studies in Law; but, she quit her studies to participate in the Quit India Movement headed by Mahatma Gandhi.

This is the Congress radio calling on [a wavelength of] 42.34 meters from somewhere in India.” [8] New York Times jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_342394_1_8').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_342394_1_8', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top right', relative: true, offset: [10, 10], }); The equipment set up of the Secret Congress Radio of Usha Mehta

• The companions of Usha Mehta for launching and providing the radio equipment were Vithalbhai Jhaveri, Chandrakant Jhaveri, Babubhai Thakkar, and Nanka Motwani. Dr Ram Manohar Lohia, Achyutrao Patwardhan, and Purushottam Trikamdas were the leaders who helped Usha Mehta in establishing the Secret Congress Radio in 1942.
• On this secret congress radio, the important announcements of Mahatma Gandhi and other renowned leaders were aired to the general public. The location of the radio was changed daily by the organisers of the radio in order to avoid arrest.
• Initially, the secret radio was broadcasting the information twice a day in the beginning. The languages used were Hindi and English. Soon, they started broadcasting only once in the evening between 7.30 and 8.30 pm.
• This secret radio broadcasted the secret information only thrice. The first broadcast was related to a Japanese air raid on the British army at Chittagong that is now in Bangladesh. The second broadcast was between February and March 1943 where she telecasted Jamshedpur Strike. This information was provided on this radio when the labourers were on thirteen days strike at Tata Iron and Steel Company. The labourers were on strike to favour the Quit India Movement as this mill was the largest steel mill of the British empire. In January 1944, the third secret information was broadcasted for a week. It was related to the Ashti and Chimur riots where the police openly fired the people and several Congress leaders were arrested by them.
• Usha Mehta was responsible to leak the secret information of the British government to the Indian agitators. In a conversation with a media house, Usha called it a “finest moment” for being a part of the secret radio.

When the newspapers dared not touch upon these subjects under the prevailing conditions, it was only the Congress Radio which could defy the orders and tell the people what actually was happening.”

• An Indian technician disclosed the information about the secret radio to the authorities. Usha Mehta and her companions were arrested by the police on 12 November 1942. Later, she was imprisoned for six months and was interrogated by the Indian police and CID. She was given separate confinement and was given study abroad proposals by the Britishers to betray the Quit India Movement.
• During her imprisonment and court sessions, she chose to keep quiet and not to reply to any questions in the courtroom. After the court sessions, she was sentenced to four years imprisonment at Yeravda Jail in Pune. During the same time, she remained unwell for some time and was also admitted to Sir J. J. Hospital, Bombay, now Mumbai. Gradually, her health improved after hospitalisation, and at the hospital, the guards were kept to keep an eye on her. She was again sent to Yeravda Jail in Pune.
• In March 1946, she was released from jail on the orders of Morarji Desai, the then home minister in the interim government. Usha was the first political prisoner who was released from Bombay jail.

A story in ‘Blitz’ on 20 April 1946 about the secret radio station

They seized the equipment and 22 cases containing photos and sound films of the Congress party sessions.”

• In 1946, when she was released from jail, her health was not fit enough to participate in any social and political work, even she did not attend the official function of India’s independence in 1947.

Usha Mehta in 1996 while addressing a conference

Our expectations have not been fulfilled. By and large our dreams haven’t come true. Barring in one or two directions, I do not think we have marched the way Gandhiji wanted us to. The India of his dreams was where there was minimum unemployment–where people were supplied with some craft to earn a living wage. There would be no difference on the basis of community, caste or religion.

• After India got independence in 1947, Usha Mehta started writing books and articles in English and Gujarati languages based on her experiences of social-political movements. The names of the few books that she wrote were – the 1977-80 Experiment in 1981, Women and Men Voters, Gandhi’s Contribution to the Emancipation of Women in 1991, Vishv Ki Kaljayi Mahilaye, Antar Nirantar, Mahatma Gandhi and Humanism in 2000, Dances of South India etc.
• Usha Mehta was honoured to head the Gandhi Smarak Nidhi and Gandhi Peace Foundation in New Delhi. The internal affairs of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan were also monitored by Usha Mehta. She was associated with various independence day celebrations’ events on India’s 50th anniversary of freedom by the government of India.

Certainly this is not the freedom we fought for. Once people were ensconced in positions of power, the rot would set in. We didn’t know the rot would sink in so soon. “India has survived as a democracy and even built a good industrial base. Still, it is not the India of our dreams.”

• In 1998, she was honoured by the government of India with the second-highest civilian award titled Padma Vibhushan.

I do not know you personally, but I admire your courage and enthusiasm and your desire to contribute your might to the sacrificial fire that has been lit by Mahatma Gandhi.”

Did our great leaders sacrifice their lives for this kind of India? It is a pity the new generation of political activists and leaders are paying scant respect to the Gandhian ideas, the chief among which was non-violence. If we don’t mend our ways, we may find ourselves back at square one.”

Usha Mehta as a Chief Guest at an event

As long as some unifying forces work and work very hard, I see the country being completely divided and ruined. A national spirit has to be injected. If moral values are going to deteriorate and we go on like this then there will be complete anarchy and destruction. In the international field it is said in the event of a third war there will be no victor and no vanquished, the whole world will be destroyed. Similarly I feel if we don’t wake up now then India as a nation will certainly be ruined.”

References/Sources: [ + ]

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Story of usha mehta and the secret congress radio.

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level: Congress Radio, Usha Mehta and other personalities mentioned

Mains level: NA

Why in the news?

• Recently premiered on an OTT Platform, the film “Ae Watan Mere Watan” delves into the narrative of Usha Mehta and Congress Radio during the Quit India Movement of 1942 .

Who was Usha Mehta (1920-2000)?

• Usha Mehta was born on March 25, 1920, in Mumbai , India.
• Inspired by Mahatma Gandhi’s principles of nonviolent resistance and civil disobedience , Usha Mehta became actively involved in the Indian independence movement from a young age.
• One of Usha Mehta’s most notable contributions to the freedom struggle was her involvement in the radio broadcasting network known as the “ Secret Congress Radio .”
• She was conferred the Padma Vibhushan , one of India’s highest civilian honours in 1998.

The Secret ‘Congress Radio’

• On August 8, 1942, the historic Quit India Resolution was passed during the All India Congress Committee meeting in Bombay.
• In this response, the idea of an underground radio station, known by various names such as the Freedom Radio , the Ghost Radio , or the Congress Radio, was conceived to counter the British-controlled AIR.
• Usha Mehta, a 22 YO master’s student at Wilson College, became the voice of the Congress Radio .
• The radio was an expensive endeavour, but funds were procured through various means, including contributions from Mehta’s colleague, Babubhai Khakhar .
• Radio engineering expert Nariman Abarbad Printer constructed the Congress Radio transmission set.
• Their first broadcast was on 14 August 1942.
• Welcome line in her voice: “ This is the Congress Radio calling on 42.34 from somewhere in India .”
• In the beginning, they were broadcasting twice a day, in Hindi and English . But they reduced it to just once in the evening between 30 and 8.30 pm .
• On 12 th November 1942, the police raided the radio while Vande Mataram was being played and arrested Mehta and others.

2011: With reference to Indian freedom struggle, Usha Mehta is well-known for-

• Running the secret Congress Radio in the wake of Quit India Movement
• Participating in the Second Round Table Conference
• Leading a contingent of Indian National Army
• Assisting in the formation of Interim Government under Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru

2021: With reference to 8th August, 1942 in Indian history, which one of the following statements is correct?

• The Quit India Resolution was adopted by the AICC.
• The Viceroy’s Executive Council was expanded to include more Indians.
• The Congress ministries resigned in seven provinces.
• Cripps proposed an Indian Union with full Dominion Status once the Second World War was over

Practice MCQ:

In context to the Secret ‘Congress Radio’ in modern Indian history, consider the following statements:

• It was established to supplement the Civil Disobedience Movement of 1930s.
• Usha Mehta was the voice of Congress Radio.
• It was broadcasted twice a day, in Hindi and English

How many of the given statements is/are correct?

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Usha Mehta: Freedom fighter at 8, aired 'Secret Congress Radio' at 22, became a legend

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At an age when most children attended kindergarten and mouthed ABCD, one feisty eight-year-old girl from Saras village in Gujarat, Usha Mehta, joined a protest march of the Independence Movement in 1928, and shouted the slogan, "Simon, Go back", hurling her first brick at the British Raj edifice.

Years later, when Usha was 22, she shot into limelight by launching the 'Secret Congress Radio', five days after Mahatma Gandhi's 'Quit India' call on August 8 1942, with the movement to start the following day from the Gowalia Tank (August Kranti) Maidan.

Unnerved, the police swooped on the gathering and nabbed all the Indian National Congress (INC) leaders and dumped them in jails, leaving the unguided junior leaders and youngsters to carry forward the 'Quit India' crusade.

Read | Is this India’s 75th or 76th Independence Day?

In barely five days, Usha and her team-mates like Vithalbhai Jhaveri, Babubhai Thakkar, Chandrakant Jhaveri and Nanka Motwani, the owner of Chicago Radio and others, rustled up the 'Secret Congress Radio'.

The secret radio, audible on a frequency of 42.34 metres, from 'somewhere in India', made its first not-so-secret hour-long transmission on August 14, 1942, and was beamed live twice or once daily in English and Hindi.

Switching locations daily to avert detection by the furious British, the radio aired patriotic songs, messages from the top leaders, slogans, recorded speeches, uncensored news of British atrocities, banned information, certain leaked news pertaining to the Second World War, and other stuff.

It electrified the masses and the INC leaders immensely, attracting several aggressive notables and fiery speakers like Dr Ram Manohar Lohia, Achyutrao Patwardhan, Purushottam Trikamdas and others to broadcast their speeches and even pre-recorded 'content' by Gandhiji, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and others.

The radio remained highly popular for around 3 months till an 'insider' ratted on the 'secret location', culminating in a police raid in November 1942, the broadcast station shut down, all equipment confiscated with Usha and others shunted behind bars for the next four years at Yerawada Central Jail, Pune, till March 1946.

As many leaders acknowledged later, her courage to run a radio station at the height of the WWII (1939-1945) was a commendable feat that helped unite the masses and helped the cause of the Freedom struggle.

Born on March 25, 1920, Usha was just five years old when she first had Gandhiji's 'darshan' at the Sabarmati Ashram (founded in 1917) in Ahmedabad, and later attended his workers' camps near Surat, she spun khadi, participated in protest demonstrations and campaigned for total prohibition.

All this and more, she managed under the stern eye of her father, Hariprasad Mehta, a Judge under the British Crown, who didn't take kindly to her pro-freedom activities, till he retired in 1930, and then, his 10-year-old jumped into the historic Salt Yatra of Gandhiji when he broke the Salt Act on April 6, 1930.

A couple of years later in 1932, the family shifted to Bombay, Usha continued her education here and became even more involved with the freedom movement, then picking up momentum all over the country.

After her primary schooling in Kheda and Bharuch and then in Mumbai, she completed her Matriculation in 1935 through Chandaramji High School in Girgaum, and joined the Wilson College (now, 190 years old) at Chowpatty, to graduate in Philosophy with a 1st Class in 1939.

Post-Independence ,the 27-year-old Usha returned to her academics, and deeply influenced by Gandhiji, she became a celibate, adopted a frugal Gandhian lifestyle, shunned comforts and luxuries, wore only khadi saris till the end, her white saris with an occasional coloured border, standing out in the crowds, and propounded Gandhian philosophy for the rest of her life.

Back to the varsity, she acquired a doctorate and became the popular 'Dr Usha Mehta', a familiar figure in Mumbai academic and political circles, capping her long career as a student, teacher, professor and then as the Head of Department of Civics & Politics at the University of Bombay, retiring in 1980, aged 60.

Ironically, despite playing a memorable role in the independence struggle, on that historic date of August 15, 1947, when India became unshackled with the Freedom at Midnight, Usha lay on the sick-bed as the rigours of her jail term in Pune the previous year took a toll on her frail health.

After hanging up her chappals, she got down to a hectic social life, spreading Gandhian ideology through articles, essays, books and speeches, in English and Gujarati.

She was elected the President of Gandhi Smarak Nidhi (GSN), which later acquired the historic Mani Bhavan, the home of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's daughter Maniben, which hosted Gandhiji on his Bombay trips, and converted it into a memorial to the Father of the Nation, and she was active with the Gandhi Peace Foundation and the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan.

Though Dr Mehta was decorated with the Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan, and several events were dedicated to her during the Golden Jubilee of Independence in 1997, her heart was in turmoil with the happenings in the country.

Dr Mehta occasionally aired her agony, saying "this was not the Freedom" that she and others had fought, what with people chasing power over public service, though she admired how the country had progressed on all fronts.

In early August 2000, though a bit down in health, she attended the customary anniversary of 'Quit India Day' on August 9 to return home weary and weak, and breathed her last in the night of August 11.

Dr Mehta is survived by her three nephews -- the eminent Bollywood film-maker Ketan Mehta, and two well-known medicos, Dr Yatin Mehta in Gurugram and Dr Nirad Mehta in Mumbai.

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A buzz in the air: An excerpt from ‘Congress Radio: Usha Mehta and the Underground Radio Station of 1942’

In the heady days of 1942, the underground congress radio carried the voices of gandhi and other leaders to the farthest corners of india.

Published - August 14, 2021 04:00 pm IST

Rural India’s radio love

August 1942. Mahatma Gandhi launches the Quit India Movement at the Bombay session of the All-India Congress Committee. Responding to his call, a 22-year-old student of Wilson College, Usha Mehta, starts an underground radio station to counter the propaganda disseminated through All India Radio, the British government’s mouthpiece. The clandestine Congress Radio brings messages from Gandhi and other leaders to the masses, reports the ‘unofficial’ side of events, and fights disinformation for three months till the arrest and imprisonment of its members in November of the same year.

Usha Thakkar narrates this compelling story of passion and daring in Congress Radio: Usha Mehta and the Underground Radio Station of 1942. In the Foreword extracted here, Thakkar talks about how the project materialised with the extraordinary Ushaben.

The story of the underground Congress Radio is a fascinating but yet to be explored segment of history that demands attention because of the integral role it played in India’s freedom struggle. It is the story of a zealous group of young patriots who operated the Congress Radio, passionately propagating the message of freedom and disseminating information about the struggle against the coercive rule of the British government. The account of their enterprise is both compelling and inspiring, for not only did they make history within a brief span of time, but they also transmitted reliable news to the people, generating confidence among them and unnerving the British. Equally impressive was the power of the Radio to kindle the flame of freedom in the hearts of its listeners and inspire them during those bleak and difficult times. At the same time, it communicated to the youth the immense value of ideals and dreams and how significant voluntary and arduous efforts were to make these seemingly impossible dreams a reality.

(now Mumbai) and carved a niche for herself as a freedom fighter in India’s history. Despite being awarded the prestigious Padma Vibhushan by the government of India and known as a scholar of eminence, she never lost touch with people at the grassroots level. She had imbibed Gandhian values early in her life: her friends and well-wishers were charmed by her simplicity, humility and warm-heartedness. Her contribution to the operation of the underground Congress Radio in 1942 was exceptional.

‘The times of 1942 were exhilarating; those days were so wonderful! How do I describe them?’ Ushaben said, her tiny frame erect, her hair neatly tied in a bun and her large shining eyes overwhelmed by memories of those electrifying days. Recapturing the quintessence of those times she murmured her favourite lines from William Wordsworth:

Bliss was it in that dawn to be alive

But to be young was very heaven.

A story in ‘Blitz’ on April 20, 1946 about the radio station

did it broadcast? How long did it last? How were the operators arrested? How was the case conducted? What was the incriminating evidence against them? What was the judgment? In hindsight, the idea of operating an underground radio in the troubled India of 1942 is indeed adventurous and exciting. But how was it made possible? Who were the doers and where? Many pieces of this jigsaw puzzle needed to be put together — the actual operation which lasted for almost two and a half months, the management of regular programmes, the content of the written reports and the records, and the places for operation, etc. Often, during our discussions, Ushaben in her characteristic manner would say, ‘Oh, yes, those were the days! People braved through!’ Or ‘Oh, you were not fortunate like us. You did not live in our times to take part in the freedom struggle.’ I would nod my head saying, ‘Yes, but we are at least fortunate to have a person like you amidst us,’ and would continue to urge her to talk about the days of 1942. And she would talk, becoming nostalgic about those days filled with the romance of nationalism and fired by the spirit of patriotism.

Making waves: The book cover

those precious papers at my own easy pace transposed me to the times when the atmosphere reverberated with Gandhi’s mantra of ‘Do or Die’, and when the nation’s freedom was of utmost importance for many, such as this group running the Congress Radio. The amber hidden in those pages that had faded with the passage of time had not lost its fire. Unfortunately, Ushaben passed away soon thereafter and I was left with those precious documents and even more precious memories. Juxtaposing the contents of those pages with the ones I had collected from the archives and Ushaben’s narrations have helped me to put the pieces of this narrative together. Slowly the story, exciting and real, vibrant and intense, unfolded, giving glimpses of the defiant mood of the freedom fighters and the bold resolve of the team that was involved in the operation of the Congress Radio.

Glimpses of the roles played by persons like Ushaben in 1942 makes us realize that the Quit India movement is a chapter in our history brimming with sacrifice and the suffering of people determined to achieve independence. The chronicle of the movement is stirring and gripping — much had taken place, much has been written about it, and a few things still remain partly hidden, elusive but alluring.

As the story unfolded, I realized that though situated in Bombay, the Congress Radio reverberated far beyond the city’s shores; it inspired freedom lovers in various parts of the country. A re-exploration of the working of the Congress Radio is both educating and energizing; it is like a fresh breeze blowing the ideals of freedom and selfless work into our uneasy and despondent times.

From the Foreword to Congress Radio: Usha Mehta and the Underground Radio Station of 1942 by Usha Thakkar, published by Penguin Viking.

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Category: Social Work

Usha Mehta Profile

• March 25, 1920
• August 11, 2000
• Profession / Known For:
• Freedom Fighter

Usha Mehta Biography

Usha Mehta was an Indian freedom fighter, and a Gandhian. She is best remembered for starting and operating Congress Radio, an underground radio station that functioned during Quit India Movement. In 1998, she was honoured with Padma Vibhushan by Government of India. After independence due to ill health, she couldn’t participate in political activities. But Usha continued to be socially active preaching Gandhian principles and by writing many books. She was a member of the Gandhi Peace Foundation, New Delhi and was associated with the affairs of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan.

Usha Mehta was born on March 25, 1920 in a small village near Surat, Gujarat. She was attracted to Gandhian principles at a younger age and used to participate in his camps. In 1928 at the age of 8, she was one among the group who protested Simon Commission. Her father was a judge under the British Raj. For the same reason he couldn’t encourage his younger daughter or class mates’ any kind of protest against British rule. In 1930, he retired from service bringing an end to those hindrances. Two years later her family moved to Mumbai and she was associated with many children’s movements against British rule. She also created awareness among her schoolmates and distributed bulletins and publications.

At a younger age, she started wearing only khadi clothes and lived a simple Gandhian life. On August 14, 1942, Usha and some of her close associates began the Secret Congress Radio. Many great Indian leaders assisted the Secret Congress Radio. But on November 12, 1942 British she along with her associates got arrested. Usha was imprisoned at Yeravda Jail in Pune where her health got deteriorated. She was later released in 1946 at the orders of Morarji Desai. After independence she continued with preaching Gandhi principles and wrote a few books in Gujarati and English. She passed away in 2000.

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Who Is Usha Mehta? Indian Freedom Fighter Whose Biopic Is In The Works

The secret congress radio that she started conveyed messages from gandhi and other leaders during the quit india movement..

Who Is Usha Mehta: She was an Indian freedom fighter remembered for organizing the Congress Radio which functioned for few months during the Quit India Movement of 1942. As per reports, a biopic on her is on the cards. Director Ketan Mehta, Usha Mehta's nephew, wants to direct it. He has narrowed down his choices to Taapsee Pannu and Bhumi Pednekar for the lead role. However, the casting will be locked by November only.

Here's what you need to know about Usha Mehta.

• Usha Mehta was born on March 25 in the year 1920.
• She hailed from Saras, a village in the western state of Gujarat. Her mother Gheliben Mehta was a homemaker and father Hariprasad Mehta was a district-level judge under the British Raj. Her family members had been actively involved in India's independent struggle.
• She was highly inspired by Gandhian principles. She was just 8-years-old when she participated in a protest march against the Simon Commission. She wanted to contrite more to the freedom struggle but her father was a government servant and so she was dissuaded to do so. Post her father's retirement, she started playing a prominent role in the struggle.
• The Secret Congress Radio that she started conveyed messages from Gandhi and other leaders during the Quit India Movement. Through that radio, she passed along information from the All India Congress Committee and delivered messages from across the country. She was only 22 at that time and was studying political science at Wilson College in Bombay.
• “When the newspapers dared not touch upon these subjects under the prevailing conditions, it was only the Congress Radio which could defy the orders and tell the people what actually was happening,” Mehta said in an interview, as per sources .
• In 1998, she was conferred with Padma Vibhushan.

Suggested Reading

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Women-Centric Biopics That Erupted Controversy

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Ae Watan Mere Watan: The Story of Usha Mehta and Congress Radio

“Ae Watan Mere Watan,” movie was released recently based on the biography of Usha Mehta.

About Usha Mehta

• Usha Mehta was a law student in Bombay. 

• She did not fancy leading public demonstrations.
• Radio as a Medium: Based on her study of the history of revolutions in other countries of the world, she suggested establishing a radio station in India.
• She was instrumental in establishing Congress Radio, an underground radio station that operated during the Quit India Movement in 1942.

Background of Quit India Movement: Do or Die

• Launched on:   August 8, 1942.
• Slogan of ‘Do or Die’: by Mahatma Gandhi at Bombay’s Gowalia Tank maidan . 
• Method of Struggle: Mass civil disobedience , massive public demonstrations calling for the end of British rule, acts of public sabotage, and even the setting up of parallel governments in certain regions.
• They arrested many protestors in response. 
• The Congress’ senior leadership, including Gandhi ji, Jawaharlal Nehru, and Vallabhai Patel , were put in prison by August 9 itself, and the party was banned.
• Result: A new crop of younger leaders took the lead , sustaining the QIM even amidst brutal repression by colonial authorities.

Setting up an Underground Radio Station

• To spread the message of Independence: Launched as part of the Quit India Movement, Congress Radio was one of the earliest radio networks established in India. 
• It was used by Gandhiji to spread the message of Independence.

Organisers:  

• Alongside Usha Mehta, Babubhai Khakar, Vithalbhai Jhaveri, and Chandrakant Jhaveri were key figures in organising Congress Radio.

Challenges:

• Procurement of funds for the enterprise.
• Getting technical expertise, and equipment:  Radio transmission was still at its infancy, and there were few people in India who could operate the equipment. Fewer still were Indians.

Contribution of Nariman Printer: 

• He was able to put together a working radio transmitter.

Significance of the Congress Radio 

• Example; Chittagong bomb raid, Jamshedpur strike, establishment of Parallel Government in Ballia, atrocities in Ashti and Chimur etc. 
• Broadcasted Political Speeches : Directly addressing  students, workers, and peasants. 
• Motive to Reach Masses: Broadcasts were made both in English and Hindustani.
• Directives to Indian People: Gave certain directives to the Indian people in their fight for freedom.

End to the Radio

• Efforts to avoid detection by Britishers: Changed transmission locations every few days.
• Final Broadcast: The operation was finally busted after the capture of Nariman Printer , who in return for immunity, disclosed the location of Congress Radio .
• Acquitted: Vithalbhai and Motwane were acquitted, 
• Punishments: Usha Mehta, Babubhai, and Chandrakant received stern sentences. 
• Released from Jail: Usha Mehta was released from Pune’s Yerawada Jail in March 1946 , and hailed in the nationalist media as “Radio-ben”.  
• Later Years of Life: Her ill health kept her out of active politics in independent India, but she remained a staunch Gandhian till the very end.
• Recognition: The Union Government conferred upon her the Padma Vibhushan , India’s second-highest civilian honour, in 1998. 
• Passed Away: She passed away after a brief illness in 2000.

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• IAS Preparation
• This Day in History
• This Day In History Mar - 25

Eminent Freedom Fighter Usha Mehta's Birth - [March 25, 1920]

  Usha Mehta, noted Gandhian and freedom fighter, most known for organizing the secret Congress Radio, was born on 25 March 1920 in the village of Saras, near the city of Surat in Gujarat. This article will give a brief detail about her within the context of the IAS Exam

Usha Mehta Biography

UPSC aspirants should be aware of the different personalities involved in the freedom movement and their contributions towards India’s independence. In this edition of This Day in History, you can read about Gandhian Usha Mehta and her role in the movement.

• Usha Mehta was one of the most prominent Gandhians in India. She saw Mahatma Gandhi for the first time when she was just five at his Ashram at Ahmedabad.
• She entered the freedom struggle when she was just eight years old when she marched against the Simon Commission .
• Mehta’s father was a judge and so did not support her in her fight against the British. But in 1930, after he retired from service, this constraint was no longer present.
• Even as a teenager, Mehta took part in the struggle for independence by distributing banned publications and spreading information.
• While still young, she made the decision to spend her life in service and adopt a Gandhian way of life. She gave up luxuries and decided to become a lifelong celibate.
• After her schooling in Gujarat, she entered Wilson College and earned a degree in philosophy. She started her law studies but dropped it midway to participate in the Quit India Movement.
• Mehta was one of the junior congress leaders at that time who was in charge of addressing workers during the movement as almost all of the senior leaders were imprisoned by the government.
• On 14 August 1942, Mehta along with her associates started the Secret Congress Radio. The radio broadcast the voice messages of Gandhi and several other leaders to the public. The station changed its place after every broadcast to avoid capture by the government.
• The secret radio was also assisted by veteran socialist leader Ram Manohar Lohia .
• However, in November that year, the police found out their location and arrested everyone including Mehta. They were betrayed by an insider.
• She was kept in solitary confinement and interrogated for six months by the CID. She did not betray the movement despite all hardships and even inducements. She was offered a chance to study abroad but she chose to remain silent.
• Even in court, she refused to answer any question and was awarded four-year imprisonment.
• She was released in 1946 by the interim government in Bombay under the orders of the home minister Morarji Desai.
• After independence, Mehta resumed her studies and earned a PhD from Bombay University. She became an expert in Gandhian thought and philosophy. She authored many essays and books in English and Gujarati.
• On the deteriorating standards of politics in the country, she lamented with the words, “Certainly this is not the freedom we fought for.”
• Mehta participated in the anniversary of the Quit India movement every year till 2000. On 11 August 2000, she passed away peacefully aged 80.

See previous  ‘This Day in History’ here .

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Essay, Biography, Speech on ‘Usha Mehta’ Complete Biography in 370 Words for Class 8, 9, 10 and 12 Students.

Biography of ‘usha mehta’.

Usha Mehta (March 25, 1920-August 11, 2000) was a Gandhian and freedom fighter of India. She is also remembered for organizing the Congress Radio, also called the Secret Congress Radio, an underground radio station, which functioned for few months during the Quit India Movement of 1942. In 1998, the Government of India conferred on her Padma Vibhushan, the second-highest civilian award of the Republic of India.

Usha was born in Saras village near Surat in Gujarat. When she was just five years old, Usha first saw Gandhi while on a visit to his ashram at Ahmedabad. Shortly afterward, Gandhi arranged a camp near her village in which little Usha participated, attending sessions and doing a little spinning.

Usha’s father was a judge under the British Raj. He, therefore, did not encourage her to participate in the freedom struggle. However, this limitation was removed when her father retired in 1930.

Gandhi and the congress had announced that the Quit India Movement would commence on August 9, 1942, with a rally at Gowalia Tank grounds in Mumbai.

Nearly all leaders including Gandhiji were arrested before that date. However, a vast crowd of Indians gathered at Gowalia Tank Ground on the appointed day. It was left to a group of junior leaders and workers to address them and hoist the national flag. Usha was one of those who hoisted the tricolor on August 9, 1942 at Gawalia Tank Ground, which was later renamed as “August Kranti Maidan.”

After her incarceration, Usha’s falling health prevented her from participating in politics or social work. The day India gained independence, Usha Mehta was confined to bed and could not attend the official function in New Delhi. She later re-commenced her education and wrote a doctoral dissertation on the political and social thought of Gandhi, earning a Ph.D. from the University of Bombay. She had a long association with Mumbai university in many capacities: as a student, as a research assistant, as a lecturer, a professor, and finally as the head of the Department of civics and politics. She retired from the University of Bombay in 1980.

The Union of India conferred on her Padma Vibhushan in 1998, the second highest civilian award of India.

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