Savitribai Phule birth anniversary
- January 3 marks the birth anniversary of a social reformer and feminist icon Savitribai Phule.
- Phule was born on January 3, 1831 in Maharashtra, and is remembered for her vital role in championing women rights in India.
- Savitribai, together with her husband Jyotirao Phule, founded one of India's first girls' schools in Pune, at Bhide Wada, in 1848.
Early Life:
- One of the earliest crusaders for women's education, Savitribai Phule was born on January 3, 1831, in Maharashtra’s Satara district to Lakshmi and Khandoji Nevase Patil.
- At the tender age of nine Phule was married to social activist Jyotirao Phule, who taught her to read and write against the social diktats.
First female teacher of India:
- Further completing her primary education, Savitribai enrolled herself in two teacher's training programs.
- She began teaching girls in Maharwada, Pune, after completing the courses, with the help of her husband's mentor, Sagunabai.
- Later in the year 1848, Savitribai Phule along with her husband opened the country’s first girls’ school in Maharashtra.
- The institution was founded at Bhide Wada in Pune.
- Thereafter the couple altogether opened a total of 18 schools, where they schooled children from different castes despite repeated threats from higher caste people.
- In her endeavor of ensuring gender justice in society, Savitribai Phule strove hard and faced criticism and threats from various sections of society back then.
- According to reports, Savitribai often carries extra saree on her way to school because she would be mobbed by the dominant group of the society with stones, dung, and verbal abuse.
- Being a vociferous opponent of child marriage and Sati Pratha, Savitribai Phule went on and founded Mahila Seva Mandal for women’s education rights and widow remarriage.
- Also regarded as the first female teacher of India, Savitribai Phule along with her husband Jyotirao Phule (also known as Jyotiba) played a pivotal role in the upliftment of the socially backward community.