LA CHATELAINE JUNIOR COLLEGE

ASSEMBLY TOPIC
UNSUNG HEROES OF FREEDOM STRUGGLE-AKKAMMA CHERIAN
DATE- 12/08/22 DAY-FRIDAY
Akkamma Cherian was an Indian independence activist from Travancore,Kerala. She was
popularly known as the Jhansi Rani of Travancore. She was probably the toughest woman in
public politics in Kerala.
Akkamma was born on 14 February 1909 in a Catholic Syrian family
at Kanjirapally, Travancore, as the second daughter of Thomman Cherian and Annamma
Karippaparambil.After completing her education in 1931, she worked as a teacher at St.
Mary's English Medium School, Edakkara, and later became head mistress. In February
1938, the Travancore State Congress was formed and Akkamma gave up her teaching career
to join the struggle for liberty.
Accamma Cherian led a mass rally from Thampanoor to the Kowdiar Palace of
the Maharaja Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma to revoke a ban on State Congress.The
agitating mob also demanded the dismissal of the Dewan, C. P. Ramaswami Aiyar, against
whom the State Congress leaders had levelled several charges. The British police chief
ordered his men to fire on the rally of over 20,000 people. Accamma Cherian cried, "I am
the leader; shoot me first before you kill others". Her courageous words forced the police
authorities to withdraw their orders. On hearing the news M. K. Gandhi hailed her as 'The
Jhansi Rani of Travancore'. She was arrested and convicted for violating prohibitory orders
in 1939.
In October 1938, the working committee of the State Congress directed Accamma Cherian
to organise the Desasevika Sangh (Female Volunteer Group). She toured various centres and
appealed to the women to join as members of the Desasevika Sangh.Accamma had been
imprisoned twice during her struggle for independence.Accamma, after her release from
jail, became a full-time worker of the State Congress and in 1942, she became its Acting
President.In 1947, after independence, Accamma was elected unopposed to the Travancore
Legislative Assembly from Kanjirapally.
Accamma Cherian died on 5 May 1982. A statue was erected in her memory in
Vellayambalam, Thiruvananthapuram. A documentary film was made on her life by Sreebala
K. Menon.
I would like to conclude by saying
“Millions of unsung heroes
Uncounted numbers of sacrifices
Proper dedication and no rest
Is the only reason we live happily everyday”.