Savitri Bai Phule.docx
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Savitri Bai Phule was a pioneering figure in women's education and empowerment in India, recognized as the first female teacher and a key advocate against the caste system and patriarchal norms. Her efforts included establishing schools, promoting women's rights, and addressing social issues like child marriage and widow exploitation. Phule's legacy continues to influence modern educational policies and remains relevant in contemporary dialogues on women's rights and empowerment.
![SAVITRI BAI PHULE – ROLE PLAYED FOR WOMEN EMPOWERMENT AND
LIBERTY
Kuntamalla Sujatha1, Gudimalla Prashanthi2 and Madichetty Sai Abhishek3
1. Assistant Professor, Kakatiya University, 2. Zoology faculty, LB College, Telangana
3. Technical Manager, Karnataka
k.sujatha8900@gmail.com1, prashanthigudimalla@gmail.com2,
madichetty.sai.abhishek@gmail.com3
Education is one of the areas where women face disparity due to heterodoxies of
patriarchal monotheism. But in our country, where 21 – 23% of the population is below poverty
the major obstacle for girl education is also the same. Presently women have proved themselves
in all fields like education, politics, sports, science, medicines, social services, etc. which had
helped in changing the quality of life in a society [1].
There is an African proverb which say, “If you educate a man you educate an individual
but if you educate a women you educate an entire nation”. Mahatma Jyothiba Phule, Savitribai
Phule, Baba Sahib Ambedkar, Periyar, Katambini Ganguly, Chandramukhi Basu, Anandi Gopal
Joshi are the leaders of India [2] whose continuous efforts had made education available to
Indian women. Their contributions brought glimpse of happiness and change among women who
were previously confined to the four walls of the house. Among the women leaders who worked
for women education was Savitri Bai Phule who was born in the family of affluent on 3rd
January
1931 in Naigaon Satara district of Maharashtra. She was the eldest daughter of Lakshami and
Khandoji Neveshi Patel. Later married to Jyothiba Phule who inspired her to read and write also
who sent her to Farar’s school Ahmednagar for training as he needed a female teacher for his
reformatory works. When this news reached his father, his father feared the attack from orthodox
elements drove him out of his house, Savitri Bai played a vital role in Ms Mitchell’s school in
Pune where she became the 1st
female teacher who inspired girls to pursue education and also to
fight for women rights in India during the British rule [3, 4, 5] hence considered as first
generation of modern Indian feminist.
In the 19th
century, many social issues like practice of child marriages, forcing girls to
marry old men, tontursing of widows, sexual exploitation of young widows prevailed leading to](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/savitribaiphule-230802130831-815ca0db/85/Savitri-Bai-Phule-docx-1-320.jpg)
![miserable life for a women. She was 1st
woman who thought that education was only powerful
weapon to bring a change in a woman’s life. Hence broke all the traditional stereotypes of that
time to boost a new age thinking in British colonized India [6]. She was a believer in the
education of masses, a courageous leader who focused on patriarchy and caste. She was not only
a strong advocate of anti caste ideology but also fought against social evils prevailing at that time
[7]. As educating girls was considered a sin she was harassed by orthodox men who throw
stones, mud, rotten eggs, cow dung at her. She founded schools for dalit children and was
honored by British government for her efforts in the education field. She was declared best
teacher in 1852 and was praised by the then renenue commissioner who inspected the school on
February 12, 1853 [8].
Phule’s initiatives that still inspired today’s education system
Her education was not simply alphabetical learning but rather an evolution of the mind
itself. Her innovative methods of teaching slowly attracted girls with strength increasing up to
150 females in 1843 – 50. Her innovative methods included short story telling, reading poems,
and introducing sports sessions that interested in subjects taught. The right to education Act, mid
day meal, stipends to reduce dropout rate in school, parent teacher meeting on regular intervals
to create awareness about women education, mal nutrition in education system. Phule also
planned new syllabus skill education and taught students to enjoy learning, devised programs to
provide vocational education to students.
Inter caste marriage in country.
Phule’s influence was not only limited to education, they established Satyashodhak way of
marriage when the bride groom was required not only to educate his wife but also give equal
rights. Mangalashtak (mantras at marriage time) were sung by both and this led to the first inter
caste marriage in the country.
Her contribution as a poet
Savitri was 1st
Dalit woman whose poems got recognition during British period. She was
the mother of modern poetry [9]](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/savitribaiphule-230802130831-815ca0db/85/Savitri-Bai-Phule-docx-2-320.jpg)
![Poem from Kavya Phule
Learn English make self reliance your occupation
Exert yourself to gather the wealth knowledge
With knowledge animals remain dumb
Don’t rest, strive to educate yourself
The opportunity is hers
For the shudras and sati shudras to learn English to dispet all woes throw away the authority of
the Brahmins and his teaching break the shackles of caste by learning English [10, 11].
Her first collection of poems, kavya that was published in1854 stressing the necessity of
English education inspired by Savitri Bai’s passion towards education many parents sent their
girls to schools.
Her contributions as a social reformer
Jyothi Rao Phule and her wife stood as an extra ordinary couple in those days when dalit
were not allowed to take water from public tanks and wells even when they were thirsty for
many days. They dedicated their lives for educating women as they were strong believers that
knowledge was power which lead to starting of literary mission in India (1854 - 55).
For the safety of pregnant women Brahmin widows, they opened a home in 1863 by
name “Balhatya Pratibadhak gruha” for the prevention of infanticides and put advertisement at
public places to create awareness. In 1868 Savitribai phule along with her husband dug a well in
their house for untouchables which was a biggest challenge for upper caste society. Savitri Bai
supported her husband in all his social struggles in the society [12, 13]. She organized women
meeting after realizing the problems faced by women. This was a platform where women from
different caste shared their problems and to change the mindset of people in 1852. She formed
Mahila Mandals for women empowerment and liberty. She underwent several hardships in
process of Indian women to attain today’s status in society [14, 15].](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/savitribaiphule-230802130831-815ca0db/85/Savitri-Bai-Phule-docx-3-320.jpg)
![Her contributions as a women liberator
Savitri Bai Phule was 1st
Indian teacher of the first women’s school in India. She was the
1st
among the Indian women who fought against oppression of women, totalitarianism of caste
and religious minorities.
Though she was uneducated initially, she was encouraged by her husband to study and
for the same she faced severe opposition from a section of people but Savitri bai faced
everything with courage and peace as they thought that educating the down trodden people was
right path for restoration of social and cultured values. In 1852 they started Mahila seva mandal
which not only worked for women empowerment but also for raising women’s consciousness
about their human rights, dignity and social problems.
Savitri Bai as a mother of modern education
Braj Ranjan Mani wrote though Savitri Bai Phule was modern India’s first woman
teacher, a radical exponent of mass, female educationalist, a champion of women liberation,
pioneer of engaged poetry, a courageous mass leader who took on the force of caste, a female
who had her own identity and contribution but denied a mention in the history of modern India
[16]. Most prominent personalities like Malala Yousufzar fought for the rights of young girls to
education in the present scenario but in 19th
century the credit goes to Savitri Bai Phule who
fought on par for the right to dignity for widows, unwedded mothers and women with unwanted
pregnancies [17]. History had witnessed many revolutions which couldn’t stop human suffering
and problems but one of the greatest revolution was then by Phule couple who contributed for
the establishment of golden principles of humanity in equality, liberty, fraternity and justice,
dared to pursue education and fought for the same when women in dark age were considered as
mere objects to be used, when educating a woman was a punishable crime [18]. She ignited light
in millions of lives by her sincere open minded courage towards truth and education. Many of
the schemes initiated by her are being used by government and institutions in modern age [19].
Maharashtra government had implemented attendance allowance scheme which was done
by Phule couple in the 1800’s when the students and her parents were paid a allowance of Rs 220
for having more than 35% attendance. By this scheme nearly 4.52 lakh girls were benefited. The](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/savitribaiphule-230802130831-815ca0db/85/Savitri-Bai-Phule-docx-4-320.jpg)
![present government also devised a similar program by Phule that is providing vocational
education to students for creating job opportunities among India’s growing youth.
The Delhi government has been organizing mass parent teacher meeting and events like
fairs and pilgrims which were taken up by phule more than a century ago to involve parents in
their child’s education there by the parents can indirectly motivate their children to show more
interest in education. In today’s education, right to education act, mid day meal scheme and earn
and learn scheme are the concepts that were used by Savitri Bai Phule in her schools. She
motivated students to ask for a library instead of gifts and gave stipend to students to prevent
school drop outs and also provided meals to the down trodden students.
She felt women were no way inferior to men or the slaves of men and went to the extent
of calling ignorant people as animals. Savitri Bai performed the funeral rites of her husband as
her relatives didn’t allow her adopted son Yashwant for funeral procession. Recognizing her
contributions, Maharashtra government renamed University of Pune as “Savitri Bai Phule
University of Pune” in 2015. Thus, it can be concluded that education for Savitri Bai Phule was
not merely alphabetical learning but means of igniting the minds and personality of women for
empowerment and liberty [20]. Indian people must realize, recognize and appreciate the
importance of their own people before it is done by other country men.
Savitri Bai Phule and her son opened a clinic to treat people affected by plague around
Nallaropars in 1897 on the outskirts of Pune while caring for the patients she died from it on 10th
March 1897 while serving the patients.
REFERENCES
1. www.yourarticlelibrary.com/status of women in vedic and post vedic period.
2. Dewey J (2004) Democracy and education. An introduction to the Philosophy of
education. Aakar publishing, New Delhi.
3. Waghmore, Suryakant (2015) challenging normalized exclusion Humor hopeful
rationality in Dalit politics.
4. Wyne Tiffany K. ed (2011) Feminist writing from ancient times to the modern world. A
global source book and History p – 243 ISBN 978-0-31334-58-4.
5. Hariam Dhawale AIDWA observer savitribai phule Birth Anniversary.](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/savitribaiphule-230802130831-815ca0db/85/Savitri-Bai-Phule-docx-5-320.jpg)
Savitri Bai Phule.docx
- 1. SAVITRI BAI PHULE – ROLE PLAYED FOR WOMEN EMPOWERMENT AND LIBERTY Kuntamalla Sujatha1, Gudimalla Prashanthi2 and Madichetty Sai Abhishek3 1. Assistant Professor, Kakatiya University, 2. Zoology faculty, LB College, Telangana 3. Technical Manager, Karnataka [email protected], [email protected], [email protected] Education is one of the areas where women face disparity due to heterodoxies of patriarchal monotheism. But in our country, where 21 – 23% of the population is below poverty the major obstacle for girl education is also the same. Presently women have proved themselves in all fields like education, politics, sports, science, medicines, social services, etc. which had helped in changing the quality of life in a society [1]. There is an African proverb which say, “If you educate a man you educate an individual but if you educate a women you educate an entire nation”. Mahatma Jyothiba Phule, Savitribai Phule, Baba Sahib Ambedkar, Periyar, Katambini Ganguly, Chandramukhi Basu, Anandi Gopal Joshi are the leaders of India [2] whose continuous efforts had made education available to Indian women. Their contributions brought glimpse of happiness and change among women who were previously confined to the four walls of the house. Among the women leaders who worked for women education was Savitri Bai Phule who was born in the family of affluent on 3rd January 1931 in Naigaon Satara district of Maharashtra. She was the eldest daughter of Lakshami and Khandoji Neveshi Patel. Later married to Jyothiba Phule who inspired her to read and write also who sent her to Farar’s school Ahmednagar for training as he needed a female teacher for his reformatory works. When this news reached his father, his father feared the attack from orthodox elements drove him out of his house, Savitri Bai played a vital role in Ms Mitchell’s school in Pune where she became the 1st female teacher who inspired girls to pursue education and also to fight for women rights in India during the British rule [3, 4, 5] hence considered as first generation of modern Indian feminist. In the 19th century, many social issues like practice of child marriages, forcing girls to marry old men, tontursing of widows, sexual exploitation of young widows prevailed leading to
- 2. miserable life for a women. She was 1st woman who thought that education was only powerful weapon to bring a change in a woman’s life. Hence broke all the traditional stereotypes of that time to boost a new age thinking in British colonized India [6]. She was a believer in the education of masses, a courageous leader who focused on patriarchy and caste. She was not only a strong advocate of anti caste ideology but also fought against social evils prevailing at that time [7]. As educating girls was considered a sin she was harassed by orthodox men who throw stones, mud, rotten eggs, cow dung at her. She founded schools for dalit children and was honored by British government for her efforts in the education field. She was declared best teacher in 1852 and was praised by the then renenue commissioner who inspected the school on February 12, 1853 [8]. Phule’s initiatives that still inspired today’s education system Her education was not simply alphabetical learning but rather an evolution of the mind itself. Her innovative methods of teaching slowly attracted girls with strength increasing up to 150 females in 1843 – 50. Her innovative methods included short story telling, reading poems, and introducing sports sessions that interested in subjects taught. The right to education Act, mid day meal, stipends to reduce dropout rate in school, parent teacher meeting on regular intervals to create awareness about women education, mal nutrition in education system. Phule also planned new syllabus skill education and taught students to enjoy learning, devised programs to provide vocational education to students. Inter caste marriage in country. Phule’s influence was not only limited to education, they established Satyashodhak way of marriage when the bride groom was required not only to educate his wife but also give equal rights. Mangalashtak (mantras at marriage time) were sung by both and this led to the first inter caste marriage in the country. Her contribution as a poet Savitri was 1st Dalit woman whose poems got recognition during British period. She was the mother of modern poetry [9]
- 3. Poem from Kavya Phule Learn English make self reliance your occupation Exert yourself to gather the wealth knowledge With knowledge animals remain dumb Don’t rest, strive to educate yourself The opportunity is hers For the shudras and sati shudras to learn English to dispet all woes throw away the authority of the Brahmins and his teaching break the shackles of caste by learning English [10, 11]. Her first collection of poems, kavya that was published in1854 stressing the necessity of English education inspired by Savitri Bai’s passion towards education many parents sent their girls to schools. Her contributions as a social reformer Jyothi Rao Phule and her wife stood as an extra ordinary couple in those days when dalit were not allowed to take water from public tanks and wells even when they were thirsty for many days. They dedicated their lives for educating women as they were strong believers that knowledge was power which lead to starting of literary mission in India (1854 - 55). For the safety of pregnant women Brahmin widows, they opened a home in 1863 by name “Balhatya Pratibadhak gruha” for the prevention of infanticides and put advertisement at public places to create awareness. In 1868 Savitribai phule along with her husband dug a well in their house for untouchables which was a biggest challenge for upper caste society. Savitri Bai supported her husband in all his social struggles in the society [12, 13]. She organized women meeting after realizing the problems faced by women. This was a platform where women from different caste shared their problems and to change the mindset of people in 1852. She formed Mahila Mandals for women empowerment and liberty. She underwent several hardships in process of Indian women to attain today’s status in society [14, 15].
- 4. Her contributions as a women liberator Savitri Bai Phule was 1st Indian teacher of the first women’s school in India. She was the 1st among the Indian women who fought against oppression of women, totalitarianism of caste and religious minorities. Though she was uneducated initially, she was encouraged by her husband to study and for the same she faced severe opposition from a section of people but Savitri bai faced everything with courage and peace as they thought that educating the down trodden people was right path for restoration of social and cultured values. In 1852 they started Mahila seva mandal which not only worked for women empowerment but also for raising women’s consciousness about their human rights, dignity and social problems. Savitri Bai as a mother of modern education Braj Ranjan Mani wrote though Savitri Bai Phule was modern India’s first woman teacher, a radical exponent of mass, female educationalist, a champion of women liberation, pioneer of engaged poetry, a courageous mass leader who took on the force of caste, a female who had her own identity and contribution but denied a mention in the history of modern India [16]. Most prominent personalities like Malala Yousufzar fought for the rights of young girls to education in the present scenario but in 19th century the credit goes to Savitri Bai Phule who fought on par for the right to dignity for widows, unwedded mothers and women with unwanted pregnancies [17]. History had witnessed many revolutions which couldn’t stop human suffering and problems but one of the greatest revolution was then by Phule couple who contributed for the establishment of golden principles of humanity in equality, liberty, fraternity and justice, dared to pursue education and fought for the same when women in dark age were considered as mere objects to be used, when educating a woman was a punishable crime [18]. She ignited light in millions of lives by her sincere open minded courage towards truth and education. Many of the schemes initiated by her are being used by government and institutions in modern age [19]. Maharashtra government had implemented attendance allowance scheme which was done by Phule couple in the 1800’s when the students and her parents were paid a allowance of Rs 220 for having more than 35% attendance. By this scheme nearly 4.52 lakh girls were benefited. The
- 5. present government also devised a similar program by Phule that is providing vocational education to students for creating job opportunities among India’s growing youth. The Delhi government has been organizing mass parent teacher meeting and events like fairs and pilgrims which were taken up by phule more than a century ago to involve parents in their child’s education there by the parents can indirectly motivate their children to show more interest in education. In today’s education, right to education act, mid day meal scheme and earn and learn scheme are the concepts that were used by Savitri Bai Phule in her schools. She motivated students to ask for a library instead of gifts and gave stipend to students to prevent school drop outs and also provided meals to the down trodden students. She felt women were no way inferior to men or the slaves of men and went to the extent of calling ignorant people as animals. Savitri Bai performed the funeral rites of her husband as her relatives didn’t allow her adopted son Yashwant for funeral procession. Recognizing her contributions, Maharashtra government renamed University of Pune as “Savitri Bai Phule University of Pune” in 2015. Thus, it can be concluded that education for Savitri Bai Phule was not merely alphabetical learning but means of igniting the minds and personality of women for empowerment and liberty [20]. Indian people must realize, recognize and appreciate the importance of their own people before it is done by other country men. Savitri Bai Phule and her son opened a clinic to treat people affected by plague around Nallaropars in 1897 on the outskirts of Pune while caring for the patients she died from it on 10th March 1897 while serving the patients. REFERENCES 1. www.yourarticlelibrary.com/status of women in vedic and post vedic period. 2. Dewey J (2004) Democracy and education. An introduction to the Philosophy of education. Aakar publishing, New Delhi. 3. Waghmore, Suryakant (2015) challenging normalized exclusion Humor hopeful rationality in Dalit politics. 4. Wyne Tiffany K. ed (2011) Feminist writing from ancient times to the modern world. A global source book and History p – 243 ISBN 978-0-31334-58-4. 5. Hariam Dhawale AIDWA observer savitribai phule Birth Anniversary.
- 6. 6. Pattanaik Anjali & Swain Snigdha Rani 2015. Women education APM publishing, New Delhi. 7. Waghmore Suryakanth (2013) Civility against caste: Dalit Politics and citizenship in Western India SAGE publications pp 34, 71 – 72 ISBN 978 – 8- 13211 – 886-2. 8. Gorringe Hugo: Jeffery, Roger Suryakant. From the margin to the mainstream, institutionalizing Minoroties in South Asian SAGE publication P15 ISBN – 978 – 9 35150-622-5. 9. Few poems by Savitri Bai Phule Dr Ambedkar’s caravan. 10. O. Hanton, Rosalind (2002) Caste, Conflict and Ideology. 11. Mahatma Jyoti Rao phule and low caste protest in nineteen century, Western India (Revised ed) Cambridge University Press 139. ISBN 928 – 0 – 52152. 308-10. 12. http://enwikipedia.org/wiki/savitribai-Phulecite-Note 13. www.dailyexcelsior.com 14. www.countercurrents.org/chimurker 15. www.academia.edu/ women and education. 16. www.th-ebiterindia.com/8494/tbi-heroses-savitri bai - the mother modern girls – education – 17. Agrinotri Sanjana “who is Savitri Bai Phule? What did she do for women rights in India.” India today. 18. Reg Sharmeti (2009) Savitri Bai Phule second memorial lecture. National Council of Education Research and Training ISBN 978-8 17450-931-6. 19. A forgotten liberation-the life and struggle of Savitri Bai Phule. Mountain Peak publishers ISBN 978 – 81 – 906277 – 02. 20. Kothari Vishwar (8 July 2014) Pune University to be renamed after Savitribai Phule. Times of India – Retrieved 10 July 2014. 21. https://www.youth.kia waaz.com/2017