Author: Asif Bhatnagar
licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license.
Via WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
INSPIRING LIVES:
SAVITRIBAI PHULE
Savitribai Phule – The Mother of Modern Indian Feminism
Behind every classroom door that opens for a girl in India today, there is the silent, enduring shadow of one woman: Savitribai Phule. Born on January 3, 1831, in a small village in Maharashtra,
Savitribai’s life was a relentless crusade against ignorance, caste discrimination, and gender inequality.
A Radical Partnership
Savitribai was married at the age of nine to Jyotirao Phule, a visionary social reformer himself. In a time when educating a woman was considered a "sin" or a "curse,"
Jyotirao did something radical—he educated his wife at home. Together, they formed one of history’s most powerful partnerships, dedicated to the idea that education is the ultimate weapon for liberation.
The Teacher Who Carried an Extra Saree
In 1848, Savitribai and Jyotirao opened India’s first school for girls at Bhide Wada in Pune. The road to the school was not an easy one. As she walked to work, traditionalists who were enraged by the idea of girls being educated would pelt her with stones, mud, and cow dung.
But Savitribai was undeterred. She began carrying an extra saree in her bag. She would change into a clean one once she reached the school and continue her lessons with a smile. Her persistence eventually wore down the opposition, proving that dignity is stronger than malice.
Beyond the Classroom
Savitribai’s activism didn't stop at the school gates. Her heart beat for every marginalized soul:
Fighting the Caste System:
She opened a well in her own house for "untouchables" at a time when they were denied access to drinking water.
Championing Women’s Rights:
She founded the Mahila Seva Mandal to create awareness about women's rights and campaigned against the killing of widows and the practice of Sati.
The Balhatya Pratibandhak Griha:
She started a care center for pregnant rape victims and widowed mothers, even adopting the son of one such widow to set a social example.
A Heroic End
Even her death was an act of service. During the Third Pandemic of the Bubonic Plague in 1897, she and her son opened a clinic to treat the sick. She was seen carrying a plague-stricken child on her back to the hospital. Through this act of selfless care, she contracted the disease herself and passed away on March 10, 1897.
Why Her Legacy Matters Today
Savitribai Phule taught us that education is not just about literacy; it is about emancipation. She didn't just teach A-B-C; she taught courage. In a world that often tries to silence marginalized voices, Savitribai stands as a reminder that one person with a book (and perhaps a spare saree) can spark a revolution that lasts for centuries.
Fascinating Fact:
In 2015, the University of Pune was renamed Savitribai Phule Pune University in her honor—a fitting tribute to the woman who was once pelted with stones for trying to learn.
Grateful thanks to Google Gemini for its great help and support in creating this blogpost!🙏🙏🙏
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