The Government of India has decided to celebrate the birth centenary of Smt. Vijaya Raje Scindia, Rajmata of Gwalior, from 11 October 2018 to 11 October 2019. The 12 member National Implementation Committee (NIC) headed by the Home Minister, Shri Rajnath Singh will chalk out programmes and activities for the year long celebrations. A commemorative coin of Rs. 100 denomination and commemorative postage stamp is proposed to be released in her honour during the commemoration period. Other activities which may be taken up are Seminars, lectures, publications and programmes focused on women empowerment.
Smt. Vijaya Raje Scindia, popularly known as Rajmata of Gwalior was born on 11 October 1919 at Sagar in Madhya Pradesh. After completing her education, she was inspired by the freedom movement and joined the struggle for independence. Rajmata Vijay Raje Scindia believed in educating the girl child and women empowerment. In post-independence India, education for girls entered a new phase. It was to meet this need for an all-round Indian education stressing on Indian values, religions and culture that she worked for education of girls and women.
Smt. Vijaya Raje Scindia remained Member of Parliament for many years between 1957 and 1998. She was actively engaged in different social activities especially in the field of women empowerment and worked closely with various organizations dedicated to the cause of upliftment of women through education. She was a writer and wrote two books. Smt. Vijaya Raje Scindia died on 25th January, 2001.
