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{{Short description|Founding member:Malaysian Indian Congress (1925–2014)}}
{{Short description|Founding member:Malaysian Indian Congress (1925–2014)}}
{{EngvarB|date=July 2014}}
{{More footnotes needed|date=December 2025}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2014}}
{{Use British English|date=July 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2025}}
{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| honorific_prefix  = [[Malay titles|Yang Berbahagia Puan Sri Datin]]
| honorific_prefix  = [[Malay titles|Yang Berbahagia Puan Sri Datin]]
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| nationality        =
| other_names        =  
| other_names        =  
| known_for          = Figure of [[Indian independence movement]] And Malaysian independence movement, <br /> Co founder of [[Malaysian Indian Congress]]
| known_for          = Figure of [[Indian independence movement]] And Malaysian independence movement, <br /> Co founder of [[Malaysian Indian Congress]]
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[[Malay titles|Puan Sri Datin]] '''Janaky''' (25 February 1925 – 9 May 2014), better known as '''Janaky Athi Nahappan''', was a founding member of the [[Malaysian Indian Congress]] and one of the earliest women involved in the fight for Malaysian (then [[Federation of Malaya|Malaya]]) independence.<ref>{{cite web |title=Women Freedom Fighters |url=https://www.inuth.com/india/women-freedom-fighters-of-india/janaky-athi-nahappan-the-woman-who-led-rani-of-jhansi-regiment-of-the-indian-national-army/}}</ref>
'''Janaky''' (25 February 1925 – 9 May 2014), better known as '''Janaky Athi Nahappan''', was a Malayan politician and activist who was founding member of the [[Malaysian Indian Congress]] and one of the earliest women involved in the fight for Malaysian (then [[Federation of Malaya|Malaya]]) independence.<ref>{{cite web |title=Women Freedom Fighters |date=12 August 2017 |url=https://www.inuth.com/india/women-freedom-fighters-of-india/janaky-athi-nahappan-the-woman-who-led-rani-of-jhansi-regiment-of-the-indian-national-army/}}</ref>


Janaki grew up in a privileged Tamil family in Malaya and was only 16 when she heard [[Subhas Chandra Bose]]'s appeal to Indians to give whatever they could for their fight for Indian independence. Immediately she took off her gold earrings and donated them. She was determined to join the women's wing, the [[Rani of Jhansi Regiment]] of the [[Indian National Army]]. There was strong family objection especially from her father. But after much persuasion, her father finally agreed.
Janaki grew up in a privileged Tamil family in Malaya and was only 16 when she heard [[Subhas Chandra Bose]]'s appeal to Indians to give whatever they could for their fight for Indian independence. Immediately she took off her gold earrings and donated them. She was determined to join the women's wing, the [[Rani of Jhansi Regiment]] of the [[Indian National Army]]. There was strong family objection especially from her father. But after much persuasion, her father finally agreed.
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After [[World War II]] she emerged as a welfare activist.
After [[World War II]] she emerged as a welfare activist.


Janaki found the [[Indian National Congress]]'s fight for Indian independence inspiring and joined the Indian Congress Medical Mission in then [[Federation of Malaya|Malaya]]. In 1946 Nahappan helped [[John Thivy]] to establish the [[Malaysian Indian Congress|Malayan Indian Congress]], which was modelled after the [[Indian National Congress]]. The party saw Thivy as its first president. Later in life, she became a senator in the [[Dewan Negara]] of the [[Parliament of Malaysia|Malaysian Parliament]].{{Citation needed|date=September 2022}}
Janaki found the [[Indian National Congress]]'s fight for Indian independence inspiring and joined the Indian Congress Medical Mission in then [[Federation of Malaya|Malaya]]. In 1946 Nahappan helped [[John Thivy]] to establish the [[Malaysian Indian Congress|Malayan Indian Congress]], which was modelled after the [[Indian National Congress]]. The party saw Thivy as its first president.


The Government of India awarded her the fourth highest civilian honour of [[Padma Shri]] in 2000.<ref name="Padma Awards">{{cite web |url=http://mha.nic.in/sites/upload_files/mha/files/LST-PDAWD-2013.pdf |title=Padma Awards |publisher=Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India |date=2015 |access-date=July 21, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151015193758/http://mha.nic.in/sites/upload_files/mha/files/LST-PDAWD-2013.pdf |archive-date=15 October 2015 }}</ref> She died at her house on 9 May 2014 due to pneumonia.<ref>{{in lang|ms}} [http://www.sinarharian.com.my/semasa/pejuang-kemerdekaan-janaky-meninggal-dunia-1.278632 Pejuang kemerdekaan Janaky meninggal dunia]</ref>
The Government of India awarded her the fourth highest civilian honour of [[Padma Shri]] in 2000.<ref name="Padma Awards">{{cite web |url=http://mha.nic.in/sites/upload_files/mha/files/LST-PDAWD-2013.pdf |title=Padma Awards |publisher=Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India |date=2015 |access-date=21 July 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151015193758/http://mha.nic.in/sites/upload_files/mha/files/LST-PDAWD-2013.pdf |archive-date=15 October 2015 }}</ref> She died at her house on 9 May 2014 due to pneumonia.<ref>{{in lang|ms}} [http://www.sinarharian.com.my/semasa/pejuang-kemerdekaan-janaky-meninggal-dunia-1.278632 Pejuang kemerdekaan Janaky meninggal dunia]</ref>


==See also==
==See also==
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* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110521072537/http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=%2F2007%2F8%2F20%2Fnation%2F18608907&sec=nation They dared to take up public office], ''The Star'', 20 August 2007.
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110521072537/http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=%2F2007%2F8%2F20%2Fnation%2F18608907&sec=nation They dared to take up public office], ''The Star'', 20 August 2007.
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070425051646/http://www.s1942.org.sg/s1942/indian_national_army/freedom.htm Biographies of INA freedom Fighter National Archives of Singapore]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070425051646/http://www.s1942.org.sg/s1942/indian_national_army/freedom.htm Biographies of INA freedom Fighter National Archives of Singapore]
* {{Cite web |date=2012-10-17 |title=Shyam Benegal gets Netaji award '06 - Times Of India |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2006-01-20/india/27822421_1_shyam-benegal-forgotten-hero-netaji-research-bureau |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121017115936/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2006-01-20/india/27822421_1_shyam-benegal-forgotten-hero-netaji-research-bureau |url-status=dead |archive-date=2012-10-17 |access-date=2022-05-17 }}
* {{Cite web |date=17 October 2012 |title=Shyam Benegal gets Netaji award '06 - Times Of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Shyam-Benegal-gets-Netaji-award-06/articleshow/1379778.cms |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121017115936/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2006-01-20/india/27822421_1_shyam-benegal-forgotten-hero-netaji-research-bureau |url-status=live |archive-date=17 October 2012 |access-date=17 May 2022 }}
* {{cite news |title=Subhas Chandra Bose and the Indian National Army |url=http://www.rsi.sg/english/theasianjournal/view/20060825172311/1/.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070717083900/http://www.rsi.sg/english/theasianjournal/view/20060825172311/1/.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=2007-07-17 |date=17 July 2007}}
* {{cite news |title=Subhas Chandra Bose and the Indian National Army |url=http://www.rsi.sg/english/theasianjournal/view/20060825172311/1/.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070717083900/http://www.rsi.sg/english/theasianjournal/view/20060825172311/1/.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=17 July 2007 |date=17 July 2007}}
* [http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-14333914_ITM Biography of Janaky Athi Nahappan]
* [http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-14333914_ITM Biography of Janaky Athi Nahappan]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20140512224210/http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v7/newsindex.php?id=1037245 Puan Sri Janaky Athi Nahappan Passes Away At Age 89 ]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20140512224210/http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v7/newsindex.php?id=1037245 Puan Sri Janaky Athi Nahappan Passes Away At Age 89 ]
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{{Azad Hind Fauj}}
{{Azad Hind Fauj}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Athi Nahappan, Janaky}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Janaky, Athi Nahappan}} <!--Do not sort by "Athi Nahappan" as this is
a patronymic, not a surname.-->
[[Category:1925 births]]
[[Category:1925 births]]
[[Category:2014 deaths]]
[[Category:2014 deaths]]
[[Category:Deaths from pneumonia in Malaysia]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian politicians]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian women politicians]]
[[Category:20th-century Malaysian politicians]]
[[Category:Members of the Dewan Negara]]
[[Category:Women members of the Dewan Negara]]
[[Category:Malaysian Indian Congress politicians]]
[[Category:Malaysian politicians of Tamil descent]]
[[Category:Malaysian people of Indian descent]]
[[Category:Women in Kuala Lumpur politics]]
[[Category:Indian National Army personnel]]
[[Category:Indian National Army personnel]]
[[Category:Indian revolutionaries]]
[[Category:Indian revolutionaries]]
[[Category:Indian women in war]]
[[Category:Indian women in war]]
[[Category:Malaysian politicians of Tamil descent]]
[[Category:Indian women in World War II]]
[[Category:Malaysian people of Indian descent]]
[[Category:Malayan collaborators with Imperial Japan]]
[[Category:Women members of the Dewan Negara]]
[[Category:Malayan people of World War II]]
[[Category:Women in Kuala Lumpur politics]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Padma Shri in social work]]
[[Category:Malaysian Indian Congress politicians]]
[[Category:Members of the Dewan Negara]]
[[Category:Tamil military personnel]]
[[Category:Tamil military personnel]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Padma Shri in social work]]
[[Category:Women in war 1900–1945]]<!--Please do not remove this category as redundant, she fought prior to World War II-->
[[Category:Women in war 1900–1945]]<!--Please do not remove this category as redundant, she fought prior to World War II-->
[[Category:Indian people of World War II]]
[[Category:Deaths from pneumonia in Malaysia]]
[[Category:Indian women of World War II]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian women politicians]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian politicians]]
[[Category:20th-century Malaysian politicians]]

Latest revision as of 04:32, 8 February 2026



Janaky Athi Nahappan
Born25 February 1925
Died9 May 2014(2014-05-09) (aged 89)
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Known forFigure of Indian independence movement And Malaysian independence movement,
Co founder of Malaysian Indian Congress
TitleNotable commander of Rani of Jhansi Regiment Indian National Army, Puan Sri
Political partyMalaysian Indian Congress
Spouse(s)Athi Nahappan
Children3

Janaky (25 February 1925 – 9 May 2014), better known as Janaky Athi Nahappan, was a Malayan politician and activist who was founding member of the Malaysian Indian Congress and one of the earliest women involved in the fight for Malaysian (then Malaya) independence.[1]

Janaki grew up in a privileged Tamil family in Malaya and was only 16 when she heard Subhas Chandra Bose's appeal to Indians to give whatever they could for their fight for Indian independence. Immediately she took off her gold earrings and donated them. She was determined to join the women's wing, the Rani of Jhansi Regiment of the Indian National Army. There was strong family objection especially from her father. But after much persuasion, her father finally agreed.

She was among the first women to join the Indian National Army organised during the Japanese occupation of Malaya to fight for Indian independence with the Japanese. Having been brought up in luxury, she initially could not adapt to the rigours of army life. However, she gradually got used to military life and her career in the regiment took off. She became second in command of the regiment.[2]

After World War II she emerged as a welfare activist.

Janaki found the Indian National Congress's fight for Indian independence inspiring and joined the Indian Congress Medical Mission in then Malaya. In 1946 Nahappan helped John Thivy to establish the Malayan Indian Congress, which was modelled after the Indian National Congress. The party saw Thivy as its first president.

The Government of India awarded her the fourth highest civilian honour of Padma Shri in 2000.[3] She died at her house on 9 May 2014 due to pneumonia.[4]

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. "Women Freedom Fighters". 12 August 2017.
  2. Women Against the Raj: The Rani of Jhansi Regiment By Joyce C. Lebra, p.xii
  3. "Padma Awards" (PDF). Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. 2015. Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 October 2015. Retrieved 21 July 2015.
  4. (in Malay) Pejuang kemerdekaan Janaky meninggal dunia

External links[edit | edit source]