Nellore: The women of Nellore played a key role in India’s freedom struggle. Many of them donated their land and jewellery, unmindful of the punishment from the British police. Paturu Balasaraswatamma, a Nellore resident, handed over all her gold ornaments to a group of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s followers who were making bombs.
Ponaka Kanakamma is remembered for her contribution to the Sri Kasthuri Devi Vidyalayam in Nellore and the Pinakini Satyagraha Ashram in Padugupadu. The vidyalayam was set up to ensure that girls in the region were educated, as their parents were reluctant to send them to co-educational schools.
The construction of the 22-acre Pinakini Satyagraha Ashram on the banks of the Pennar began in 1921 with funds donated by Kanakamma and others. It was completed in 1925 with financial support from Rustumji of the Indian National Congress Committee, and Munagala Raja. The ashram was inaugurated by Mahatma Gandhi. Mahatma Gandhi visited Nellore in 1921, 1929 and 1933. The people donated liberally to his Handloom Fund and the Harijan Fund.
