Captain Lakshmi Sehgal no more

KANPUR: Captain Lakshmi Sehgal, a close aide of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, died here on Monday following a brief illness. Sehgal, 97, breathed her last at a hospital at 11.20 am, her daughter and CPM leader Subhashini Ali said.

Sehgal, who was ill for some time, was admitted to the hospital on July 19 after suffering a massive heart attack at her residence in Civil Lines area in Kanpur. She was kept on life support system.

The body of the veteran freedom fighter would be donated to GSVM Medical College according to her last wishes, family sources said.

Sehgal was very active during the Independence movement and had commanded the 'Rani of Jhansi Regiment' of the Indian National Army formed by Bose. A doctor by profession, Sehgal was working as a medical practitioner and a social worker. She was awarded Padma Vibhushan in 1998.

Vice-President Hamid Ansari, in his condolence message, said Captain Sehgal represents the pinnacle of sacrifice and struggle for the country, and for the rights of the downtrodden and women. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh described her as an "icon of liberal values and selfless service".

CPM, in a condolence resolution, said: "Even on the day before her heart attack, regardless of her frail health she was at the clinic meeting patients, such was her dedication."

The party described her as an "inspiring and courageous freedom fighter, dedicated and compassionate doctor in the service of the poor, fighter for women's rights..."