Savitribai Phule Jayanti: Story of India’s First Female Teacher and Women’s Rights Pioneer

Savitribai Phule Jayanti: There was a time when girls were married off at a young age, a practice known as child marriage. The condition of women was so dire that they were not only forbidden from leaving their homes, but they were also not free even within their own houses. Women's freedom was so limited that they knew nothing about pens and paper.

On January 3, 1831, a revolutionary was born who became an angel for women. Everything she did during her lifetime is now etched in the pages of history, and she is remembered to this day. Without her, perhaps the daughters of India would not have been able to receive an education.

Yes, we are talking about Savitribai Phule, who was India's first female teacher, the first leader of the women's liberation movement, a social reformer, and a Marathi poet. Every year on January 3, Savitribai Phule's birth anniversary is celebrated, and her struggles are remembered.

Savitribai Phule was married at the age of just 9

She was born into a Dalit family in Naigaon, Satara district, Maharashtra. She was married at the tender age of just 9. In 1840, she married Jyotirao Phule. Savitribai Phule played a crucial role in fighting for women's rights and education. Jyotirao Phule also supported her in this revolution.

Fighting against the custodians of society

Savitribai Phule is considered a great example of women's empowerment and is regarded as India's first female teacher. In the 19th century, she fought for the rights of women and lower castes. Her contribution to the field of education was particularly significant. During this revolution, she opened the first school for girls in Pune. Not only that, she was the first woman to raise her voice against and fight against social evils like child marriage and untouchability. As a result, she faced strong opposition from society.

Facing stones

In her childhood, she witnessed that education was considered the sole right of men. At that time, no one was in favor of educating women. However, despite facing such opposition, she educated herself. Facing resistance to education, she was even pelted with stones when she went to school. People threw garbage at her, but she continued her studies. She was not only fighting against the opposition to education and women's education in society; she also opposed child marriage, untouchability, and the Sati practice, and advocated for widow remarriage.

The First School for Girls in India

After educating herself, she resolved to educate other women, and in this crucial decision, she received complete support from her husband. Together, Savitribai and her husband opened a school specifically for girls in Pune in 1848. Subsequently, 17 more schools for girls were opened. Besides her struggle to educate women, she also waged a long battle against social evils like untouchability. She even had a well dug in her house for the untouchables. Her entire life was full of struggles, and it is a great example of women's empowerment.

10 Inspiring Thoughts of Savitribai Phule

1. “Education is the greatest equalizer; it is what brings us out of darkness.”
2. “Laziness is a sign of poverty; it is the enemy of knowledge, honor, and prosperity.”
3. “A woman without education is like a banyan tree without roots and leaves.”
4. “Lack of education makes a person an animal.”
5. “We will surely win, and success will be ours in the future.”
6. “I believe that education is the key to every woman's freedom.”
7. “Wake up, rise up, and get educated, break the traditions and free yourselves.”
8. “Without knowledge, everything is destroyed; without wisdom, we become animals.”
9. “Don't sit idle anymore, move forward and get educated, end the suffering of the oppressed.”
10. “Read books to learn to think; and observe work to learn to work.”

The Struggle for Equality

SavitribaiPhule's struggle against the darkness of illiteracy was not limited to educating women alone. She was a social reformer who dedicated her life to women's liberation, Dalit consciousness, and human equality. The practice of child marriage brought with it many misfortunes. Health and medical conditions were deplorable. The lives of young child widows became a living hell.

The remarriage of widows, ostracized by society, was considered a sin. Savitribai established a home for widows to prevent infanticide, where unmarried or widowed pregnant women were given safe refuge and the opportunity to live a dignified life. She also promoted widow remarriage, which society considered immoral. But Savitribai continued to fight against the hypocrisy of social morality.

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