JOIN USPresident's tete-a-tete with oldest freedom fighter
While Satyawati is the oldest living freedom fighter in the country, her 80-year-old daughter Subhadra Khosla was only 13-year-old when she participated in the struggle for freedom.
“We are proud of you. Apke darshan karna hi bahut badi baat hai (meeting you is an honour),” Patil said while she greeted Satyawati with folded hands. “Apko dekh kar khushi hui (Felt nice to see you),” Satyawati replied.
Four generations of the Kant family met at their official 4 Krishna Menon Marg residence to meet the President. Patil spent around an hour with the family on a day when the Quit India Movement was kicked-off in the country 67 years ago. Patil also brought khadi sarees and a basketful of fruits for the family.
Satyawati, who was incarcerated for many times during the Freedom Movement, told the President that during her times they “used to communicate in ‘Aryabhasha’ which is not used nowadays.”
The President asked the head of the Kant family to “continue to shower her guidance on all of us” and wished her good health.
The President also talked to Satyawati’s grandchildren and great grandchildren. “I feel very nice to see the President with my great grandmother,” five-year-old Ekka, daughter of late Krishna Kant’s elder son said. The Kant family presented the President with a saree and kurta pyjama for her husband.
Satyawati, an avid reader and disciplinarian, still gets up by 4.30 am and spends her day praying and meeting people from different walks of life.