Source: News on Air
Context:
On the birth anniversary of Savitribai Phule, the Prime Minister paid homage to her enduring legacy, recalling her lifelong commitment to education, equality, and social transformation—values that continue to shape India’s social justice discourse.
About Savitribai Phule (1831–1897)
Who She Was
- A pioneering social reformer, poet, and educator, widely regarded as India’s first female teacher of modern education.
- A foundational figure of Indian feminism and anti-caste reform.
Early Life
- Born in Naigaon (present-day Maharashtra); married in childhood to Jyotirao Phule.
- Relocated to Pune, where exposure to learning ignited her mission to reform society through education.
Key Contributions
- 1848: Co-founded India’s first girls’ school at Bhidewada, Pune.
- Played a central role in nurturing the Satyashodhak Samaj, promoting equality and rationalism.
- Popularised Satyashodhak marriages—simple ceremonies without priests or dowry.
