| News Details |
| The first woman educationist in India, Who deserves “Bharat Ratana Award”!! | | It requires a deep thinking and response accordingly | 
By Prof. Kali Dass
The maker of the Indian Constitution Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar took birth in India. When Mahatma Jyoti Rao Phulay left this world. At the age of 13 Mahatama Jyoti Rao Phullay married with Savitribai Phulley when she was only 9 years old. She took birth on 3rd Jan. 1831 in Naya Ganj Tehsil Khanddal District Sitara Maharashtra. She got education at home by her husband Mahatma Jyoti Rao Phoolay who had passed his secondary education in 1847 from Scottish Mission high school Poona and decided not to accept any Govt. job. He was revolutionised by reading the Paine’s famous book “The right of Man” which in turn influenced the tender mind of Savitribhi phulle who also took oath to help her husband for a social revolution even at the cost of her life and comforts.
Both Mahatma Jyoti Rao Phulle & Savitribhi Phulle jointly opened a first school for Girls in 1848 against the vicious compaign launched by the orthodox upper caste Hindus as education to girls was coded as unlawful in laws of orthodox Hindus who claimed to be in possession of most knowledge books called “Vedas” but women and shudras were treated like animals.
No upper caste Hindu teacher dared to teach in this newly opened school for girls in which untouchable girls besides Hindu girls were admitted. Savitribhai was appointed as headmistress of this school in Ist Jan 1848 by Jyoti Rao Phulle. This school was run from the house of Brahmin Bhudwara Peth with majority of Brahmin girl students. Inspite of the admission of girl students. Brahmins only raised a hue and cry against carrying on women education and Shudra girls which stood banned in Hindu Scriptures. Savitribhai faced even cowdung thrown on her while going & coming from school but stood firmly for women education. She open second school on 15th May 1848 in untouchables colony which was run by her widowed sister-in-law “Sister of Mahatma Jyoti Roa Phulle” Smt Suganabhi. On this father of Jyoti Rao, Govind Rao was threatened with dire consequences. Govind Rao under pressure ask had to ask both Jyoti Rao & Savitribhai to leave house. Both of then refused to give-up the idea of education and left the house.
At this they both shifted to a Muslim Mian Usman Sheikh’s house. Smt. Fatima sister of Mian Usman Sheik known as first woman teacher of 18th century, started education Dalit children in this school opened by a Dalit couple, a difficult task during a Brahmin domination in social order but Savitri did it by the dint of her courage, determination, intelligence and her commitment to the cause of Dalit upliftment and education for women at large the only road for empowerment. Savitri bhai perhaps was the first Indian woman revolutionary who worked against all odds for the emamicipation of weak and down-troddens women and children. She died in 1897 due to infection of Cholera while helping cholera infected Mahar boy.
Dr. Bhim Rao when studied the literature of Mahatma Jyoti Phulle & Savitribhai, inspired much and he also got education to the highest level and nobody in the country at that time was so qualified as he was. He got the chance of making Indian Constitution which provides the right of education to every individual, belonging to any caste, creed and colour.
Now the status of women in India is not due to the religions books but because of Indian constitution, a hereditary effort made by Savitari bhai & Jyoti Rao Phulle can be seen through Dr. Ambedkar.
So Savitari Bhai was the first Indian woman who opened the doors of education for women and Shudras by opening four such schools from 1848 to 1852.
Now Indian women are acquiring education of the highest level getting employment of the highest status and reaching to the heights as per their desires and efficiency and not by the religions books which still do not provide any rights.
Still there are verses in the Hindu’s holy book “The Ramayana”. In Ranay Kand which speaks like “Dhole-Ganvar-Shudar Ati Naari, Yeh Sabh Tadan Ke Adhikari”.
Contribution towards women education by Savitribhai has no any parallel in the Indian society which bases on the concept that “If one boy is educated only one individual is educated but if a girl is educated the whole family is educated”.
So she being the first Indian woman educationist must be awarded with Bharat Rattana award, to make her popular a generating source of education for women and Shudras in India. Besides there must be needful amendments in the religious scriptures where Women & Shudras have been cursed setting aside the human rules for living & respecting all human beings in equal bases. This will save guard the honour and respect of a woman who can be our mother, sister, daughter and wife also.
(Photo courtesy:N. K. GHORPADE)
(Opinions expressed in write-ups/articles/Letters are the sole responsibility of the authors and they may not represent the scoopnews.in)
Editor, Scoop News
... |
| |
|
|
Share this Story |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|