Modern Indian History-Events and Personalities

Who was Mary Poonen Lukose?

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level: Mary Poonen Lukose and her contributions

Why in the News?

100 years ago, on September 23, 1924, Mary Poonen Lukose became the first woman to join a legislative council in an Indian princely state, entering the Travancore Legislative Council.

Who Was Mary Poonen Lukose?

  • Born on August 2, 1886, in Kerala, she became the first woman from the state to earn a medical degree, specialising in gynaecology and obstetrics.
  • Her contributions:
    • She performed the first cesarean section in Kerala before 1920, often working under challenging conditions with minimal equipment.
    • She started a midwifery training program for local women, which led to safer home births, reducing risks for mothers and babies.
    • As a member of the Travancore Legislative Council, she influenced public health policy, using her expertise to benefit the community.

Records set by Mary Poonen Lukose

  • First woman legislator in an Indian princely state: In 1924, she became the first woman member of the Travancore Legislative Council (a predecessor to Kerala’s Legislative Assembly).
  • First woman graduate from Madras University in 1909, despite facing barriers to studying science as a woman.
  • First woman Surgeon General of Travancore, and possibly the first woman Surgeon General in the world, in 1938.
    • First woman to head the health department in Travancore, in 1924.
  • Awarded the Padma Shri in 1975 for her contributions.

PYQ:

[2013] Defying the barriers of age, gender and religion, the Indian women became the torch bearer during the struggle for freedom in India. Discuss. (10 marks-200 words).

[2011] With reference to Indian freedom struggle, Usha Mehta is well-known for

(a) Running the secret Congress Radio in the wake of Quit India Movement
(b) Participating in the Second Round Table Conference
(c) Leading a contingent of Indian National Army
(d) Assisting in the formation of Interim Government under Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru

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