Roop Kumari Khaitan: 81 years old
She is a freedom fighter, a social reformer and an activist. She fought for the rights of the teachers, making it her mission to get them treated right when it came to salaries.
Roop Kumari Khaitan was born on October 14, 1929. Belonging to a family of lawyers, Khaitan was married to a political leader. During the Quit India movement, she along with a group of other females, staged a demonstration in Kanpur against the British Empire.
Recalling her past experiences, she says, "It was during my college days that I was put behind the bars for being part of the freedom movement. This incident always gave me the courage to work as a social activist, besides being lecturer in a college.''
It was in 1969 that she went against the college authorities of the city and started the teachers movement. She says, "the movement was started on a large-scale all across the state.'' As opposed to the time when college authorities paid less than what the teachers deserved, the movement led to the implementation of the Salary Dispersion Act, which helped not only those who worked for the educational system but attracted many to become a part of it.
Working as a a human rights activist and vice-president of Uttar Pradesh Madhyamik Shiksha Sangh, presently, this woman leader is also involved in helping victims of social evils like dowry, domestic violence and sexual harassment. She says, "A social reform is required for the betterment of women to prevent incidents where they are burnt alive for dowry or are forced to commit female foeticide.''
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kanpur/Teacher-with-a-purpose/ar...
