Prabhavati Devi
| Prabhavati Devi | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1906 |
| Died | 15 April 1973 (aged 66–67) |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Spouse(s) | Jayprakash Narayan |
Prabhavati Devi (1906 – 15 April 1973) was at the forefront of freedom struggle in Bihar. She was born in a reputed family in Shrinagar now in Siwan district in Bihar to Brajkishore Prasad and Phool Devi. Brajkishore Prasad was himself an ardent Gandhian perhaps the first Congressman in Bihar who had given up a lucrative legal practice to devote himself to freedom struggle.She was married to Jayprakash Narayan in October 1920.
After their marriage, Jayaprakash Narayan went to the USA to initially study science in California but instead enrolled at University of Wisconsin to study Marxism in . She moved to Gandhi's ashram where she devoted herself completely to Kasturba Gandhi who started regarding her as her daughter. She also built up a very close relationship with Kamala Nehru and became her confidante. She also spent time in gaol on several occasions.
Kamala Nehru wrote several personal letters to her. Most of the letters were returned to Indira Gandhi by her husband following her death. one hangs on the wall of the home in the Patna locality of Kadam Kuan where Narayan and his wife both spent their last years. This letter was a handwritten letter by Nehru to Prabhavati during 1958 in Hindustani. The content of the letter summarizes as "Prabhavati had wished to start a school for girls and name it for Kamala Nehru. She had written to Jawaharlal asking whether he would inaugurate it. Nehru, in reply, said that he was delighted that this school was being planned, for he had long been an advocate of education for girls. But, he added, he had taken a vow that in the case of any school, project, or programme started in memory of his father (Motilal Nehru) or his wife, he would not participate in its inauguration. He asked Prabhavati to go ahead and start the school, with another chief guest if required. He added by way of consolation that when the place was up and running, he would come visit it anyway".
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