“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the whole community.”
Savitribai Phule
Savitribai was born in the village of Naigaon, Maharashtra on 3rd January 1831. She pioneered girl’s education. Jyotirao and Savitribai Phule transformed the Indian Society by founding India’s first school for girls. This school was founded in Bhide Wada, Pune on 1st January, 1848. They pioneered the whole education movement starting from Pune.
Savitribai Phule also stood for women‘s right to education, and raised voices against gender discrimination and advocated equality. She was the first female teacher in India. Savitribai Phule along with her husband, Jyotirao Phule, started the Mahila Sewa Mandal (to raise awareness about women’s rights) and Balhatya Pratibandhak Griha (care centre for pregnant rape victims).
As a social reformer, Savitribai Phule strived towards better life for women and the lower caste. Despite the lash back from the 19th century society, she fought against inequality, graded patriarchy, and social oppression in Maharashtra.
Some important works of Savitribai Phule are Kavya Phule, Bavan Kashi Subodh Ratnakar, Matushri Savitribai Phulenchi Bhashane Va Gaani, Jotibanchi Bhashane Vol. 1 to 4 – (Collection of Mahatma Phule’s speeches, edited by Savitribai Phule), her speeches at various places as president of Satya Shodhak Parishad and letters written to Mahatma Phule
In honour of the remarkable contributions of Savitribai Phule, the University of Pune was renamed as the Savitribai Phule Pune University on 9th August 2014.
“The more you know, the less likely you are to be afraid”
Savitribai Phule
