It is Gayatri Devi's 8th BirthAnniversary today. She was born in London. She loved horses and was an excellent rider and polo player. She was very fond of cars and is credited with importing the first Mercedes-Benz W126, a 500 SEL to India. She started schools in Jaipur, the most prominent of which is the Maharani Gayatri Devi Girls’ Public School, established in 1943. DidYouKnow that she ran for Parliament in 1962 and won the constituency in the Lok Sabha in the world's largest landslide, winning 192,909 votes out of 246,516 cast. This has been confirmed by the Guinness Book of Records. She was considered a fashion icon and featured in Vogue magazine's Ten Most Beautiful Women list.
We all know she was Maharani of Jaipur and daughter of Ccoch Bihar family. Imp aspect of her life is the fact that she worked hard for welfare of ppl of Rajasthan becoz she eas also 3 time MP from Jaipur having won Lok Sabha elections in 1962 1967 and 1971. Perhaps she eas first from Indian royal families to enter public life. Her entry in public life started in real sense the women empowerment in a conservative state like Rajasthan. She was MP from an opposition party and she also opposed policies of Congress and Indira Gandhi. But Mrs Gandhi was a clever politician. Looking to the popularity and influence of Jaipur royals, Mrs Indira Gandhi in 1968 appointed husband of Maharani Gayatri Devi ji, Maharaja Maan Singh as India's ambassador to Spain. Maharaja Man Singh also performed duties as Rajpramukh-Governor of Rajputana from 1949-1956. Maharaja was also a regular trained commissioned officer of British army in 1933. Later on he was busy in adm duties. British govt in India assigned him honarary rank of Lt. General of Indian army.
Gayatri Devi was considered arguably as the most beautiful woman of her times -- known for her sheer chiffon saris and matchless pearl necklace !! She was a princess of Cooch Behar State and was the third wife of Maharaja Sawai Man Singh of Jaipur !!
It was because of her massive election victory as the Swatantra Party candidate that irritated Indira Gandhi so much that she and the Rajmata of Gwalior were jailed.
I had the privilege of meeting Maharani Gayatri Devi and had watched a polo match with her. She was a Great Lady !!
#GayatriDevi
K. S . Radhakrishnan
25/5/2017
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