Savitribai Phule
Most of us know that Savitribai Phule was the first female teacher of India. Born on January 3, 1831, Indias's first feminist grew up in a country ruled by the British Raj, where women rights were non-existent. We know how hand in hand with her social reformer husband, jyotirao phule, she acheived the revolutionary act of establishing the first school for girls.
At the time of her marriage Savitribai was an illiterate. Jyotirao educated Savitribai at their home. After completing her primary education with Jyotirao, her further education was the resposibility of his friends, Sakharam Yeshwanth Paranje and Keshav Shivram Bhavalkar. She also enrolled herself in two teacher's training programs. The first was at institution run by an American missionary, Cynthia Farrar, in Ahmednagar. The second course was at a Normal School in Pune. Given her training, Savitribai may have been the first Indian woman teacher and headmistress.
Pramila Dandavate, a 1928-born political activist from Mumbai associated with the Praja Socialist Party and later with the Janata Party, describes a few tales of the outstanding courage and grit of Savitribai Phule that show how far she was willing to go to emancipate women. Savitribai Phule was married off to 13-year-old Jyoirao Phule at the tender age of nine in-keeping with the tradition at the time of marrying off girls before they hit puberty.
The couple introduced several innovative measures in teaching with a special focus on curriculum and teaching method. They introduced stipends for students to motivate them to attend school. Also, regular parent-teacher meetings were arranged to educate parents on the importance of education. Special emphasis was given to subjects like English, science, mathematics and social studies. Consequently, the number of girls in their schools became higher than the boys enrolled in government schools in Pune. However, the enrolment of students from the untouchable community angered orthobox upper-case Hindus. So, they tried to close these schools. First, they spread rumours about Savitribai. Her husband would die prematurely due to her schooling, her food is changing into worms and also that educated women start writing letters to unknow men. When these tales didn't discourage Savitribai, they started attacking her on her way to the school by throwing cow dung, eggs, tomatoes and stones at her. Undeterred, Jyotibai advised her to carry an extra sari in her bag, so that she can wear a fresh one while teaching in the school. Gradually, Savitribai gained the courage to respond to these insults, saying, "your efforts inspire me to continue my work. May god bless you." However, this public hooliganism stopped one day after Savitribai slapped a trouble monger and this act of her became sensational news across Pune.
The couple involved themselves in several social service activities. On September 24, 1873, they set up Satya Shodhaka Samaja, a platform which was open to all, irrespective of their caste, religion or class hierarchies, with the sole motto to bring about social equity. As an extension, they started, 'Satya Shodhaka Marriage' where the marrying couple has to take a pledge to promote education and equality. Likewise, widow re-marriage was also encouraged. Simple ceremonies without priests solemnising the wedding were conducted. Awareness progammes against dowry were also organised. They also dug a well at their courtyard for untouchables, who had no access to public drinking water facilities.
Savitribai, a true feminist, set up Mahila Seva Mandali to raise awareness among women against child marriage, female foeticide and the sati system. At the time, widows were often sexually exploited and pregnant widows suffered even more physical abuse and humiliation. To address this problem, the couple set up 'Balyata Pratibandak Gruha', a childcare centre for the protection of pregnant widows and rape victims. Savitribai also encouraged the adoption of children borne out of such sexual abuse. She opened an ashram for widows and orphans. She organised a boycott by barbers against the tradition of head tonsuring of widows. Savitribai appealed to women to come out of the caste barriers and encourged them to sit together at her meetings.
When Jyotiba died in 1890, Savitribai set a new precedent by lighting her husband's pyre, amidst all opposition. After his death, she dedicated all her time to the activities of Satya Shodhaka Samaja. In 1897, when Maharashtra was hit by Bubonic Plague, she responded quickly by setting up a clinic for patients with the support of her son, a medical professional. She served free meals daily to nearly 2,000 children of the affected families. One such day, when she physically carried an infested child to the hospital, she too got infected. Consequently, Savitribai died on March 10 of the same year. Complete women's empowerment is still a distance dream in India. While celebrating her legacy, we must also remember the contributions of her husband Jyotiba, who dreamt of equity for women and people of lower castes, as well as Fatima Begum Sheikh, her friend and colleague and also Sagunabai, Jyotiba's mentor for their wholehearted support.
In commemoration of Savitribai, the University of Pune was renamed as Savitribai Phule Pune University in 2015. Her birthday is celebrated as "Balika Din" in Maharashtra every year.