Chintaman and I (First Published 1980)

Dr. Durgabai Deshmukh (15th July 1909 to 9th May 1981) was an Indian freedom fighter lawyer social worker and politician. A member of the Constituent Assembly of India and the Planning Commission of India she played a pivotal role in shaping the nation. The book provides a glimpse into her early years in Andhra Pradesh marked by the courageous decision to break away from a child marriage with the unwavering support of her parents. A staunch advocate for women’s emancipation she founded the Andhra Mahila Sabha (Andhra Women’s Conference) in 1937 where she championed the cause of Devadasis and other women facilitating their pursuit of education. Dr. Durgabai Deshmukh also raised Rs. 5000 from women to welcome Mahatma Gandhi to her community. Active in the Salt Satyagraha and Civil Disobedience movements between 1930 and 1933 she faced arrest three times. In 1948 she co-founded the Andhra Education Society Delhi with other eminent Telugu personalities. Additionally she served as the founder and chairperson of the Central Social Welfare Board. In 1953 Dr. Durgabai Deshmukh married to C.D. Deshmukh (Sir Chintaman Dwarakanath Deshmukh) the first Indian Governor of the Reserve Bank of India and Union Finance Minister from 1950 to 1956. The auto-biography was penned during a challenging period when Mr. Deshmukh was bedridden and admitted to a hospital in Mumbai.