Tripuraneni Kousalya

Tripuraneni Kousalya was a freedom fighter and social worker in the Krishna District of Andhra Pradesh. Born in 1900, Tripuraneni Kousalya lived in Angaluru village of Gudivada Taluk in Krishna District. During the Civil Disobedience Movement of 1930-31 and 32-34, she courted arrest two times for taking part in Satyagraha and served prison terms in Vellore and Coimbatore Jail. In one instance, she was severely lathi-charged by the police while picketing foreign cloth shops at Gudivada, as a result of which she became unconscious. Apart from being involved in political activities, Tripuraneni Kousalya also participated in Gandhian social work. She propagated the cause of Khadi and equality, and even went for a 20-day hunger strike demanding access for members of the oppressed classes to the Angaluru temple. At a time when women faced severe barriers, Tripuraneni Kousalya challenged the patriarchal status quo by participating in public life. It was the courage and sacrifice of women like her that not only made possible the successful culmination of our freedom movement, but also stood as an inspiration for generations of women thereafter.