The outstanding women featured here come from diverse backgrounds and achievements, but have one thing in common: they are part of a collective, noble endeavour to create a better world.
| Doctor of Optometry, Kusoom Vadgama was born in Kenya in 1932,
and was educated at the then Government Indian Girls’ High School.
In 1953 she came to London to study optometry at the now City University
and in 1959 she went to America to the Illinois College of Optometry, Chicago.
Kusoom also attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York.
She returned to London in 1962 and set up her own optometry practice.
At the height of the Quit India movement during the 1940s, Kusoom was an active and prominent member of the Indian Voluntary Force, drawing inspiration from the Indian National Army. She studied the glory and history of the British Empire at school, but her time outside was spent leading anti-British processions and attending ‘Free India’ rallies. Throughout her career, she has maintained her interest in history, with a particular focus on the special relationship that existed between India and Britain during the years of the Raj. She hopes that one day there will be a research centre in Britain for the study of the Indian diaspora. Kusoom asserts that the history of the British Empire can only be true if it includes the history of the peoples from the Empire in Britain. Kusoom has published two books. Her first was published in 1984: India
in Britain 1852-1947, with forewords by Prince Charles and Mrs Indira
Gandhi. In 1997, her second book was published to celebrate the 50th anniversary
of Indian independce, British-Indian campaigns in Britain for Indian
reforms, justice and freedom 1831-1947, with a foreword by Dr L.M.
Singhvi, the Indian High Commissioner. Kusoom’s upcoming book is
on the life of India’s first woman barrister, Cornelia Sorabji. |
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