Kalpana Datta
Kalpana Datta, born on July 27, 1913, in Sripur, Chittagong, was a revolutionary figure in the Indian independence movement, particularly remembered for her role in the Chittagong armoury raid in 1930. After completing her matriculation in 1929, she moved to Calcutta to pursue higher education at Bethune College. Influenced by the revolutionary spirit of the time, she joined the Chhatri Sangha, a women’s student association, and was drawn into the revolutionary activities led by Surya Sen. Datta played a crucial role in the transportation of explosives and was involved in the planning of attacks against British establishments, including the European Club in Chittagong. Her involvement led to her arrest and she was sentenced to transportation for life, although she was released in 1939. After India’s independence, Datta shifted towards political activism, joining the Communist Party of India, and later focused on social work. She married P.C. Joshi, a leader of the Communist Party of India, and continued her engagement in social causes until her death on February 8, 1995, in Kolkata. Datta’s life and contributions were marked by her unwavering commitment to the cause of Indian independence and social reform.
