News On Air | Savitribai Phule personifies the indomitable spirit of our Nari Shakti: PM Modi

Jan 03,2023

“Awake, Arise and Educate,

Smash Traditions- Liberate,” these powerful words by the revolutionary feminist icon Savitribai Phule speak so much about her selfless work that had ignited a new revolution towards womens’ upliftment in society.

As the nation celebrates the birth anniversary of the social reformer here’s a look back at her life and accomplishments.

Early Life
One of the earliest crusaders for women’s education, Savitribai Phule was born on January 3, 1831, in Maharashtra’s Satara district to Lakshmi and Khandoji Nevase Patil. At the tender age of nine Phule was married to social activist Jyotirao Phule, who taught her to read and write against the social diktats. Later, with her husband’s support, Savitribai Phule attended a teachers’ training institution.

First female teacher of India
Further completing her primary education, Savitribai enrolled herself in two teacher’s training programs one in Ahmednagar and another in Pune. She began teaching girls in Maharwada, Pune, after completing the courses, with the help of her husband’s mentor, Sagunabai.

Later in the year 1848, Savitribai Phule along with her husband opened the country’s first girls’ school in Maharashtra. The institution was founded at Bhide Wada in Pune. Thereafter the couple altogether opened a total of 18 schools, where they schooled children from different castes despite repeated threats from higher caste people.

In her endeavor of ensuring gender justice in society, Savitribai Phule strove hard and faced criticism and threats from various sections of society back then. According to reports, Savitribai often carries extra saree on her way to school because she would be mobbed by the dominant group of the society with stones, dung, and verbal abuse.

Being a vociferous opponent of child marriage and Sati Pratha, Savitribai Phule went on and founded Mahila Seva Mandal for women’s education rights and widow remarriage.

Also regarded as the first female teacher of India, Savitribai Phule along with her husband Jyotirao Phule (also known as Jyotiba) played a pivotal role in the upliftment of the socially backward community.

PM Modi and political leaders pay tribute to Savitribai Phule
Marking the occasion, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the leaders across the political spectrum paid obeisance to the late reformist.

“I pay homage to the inspiring Savitribai Phule Ji on her birth anniversary. She personifies the indomitable spirit of our Nari Shakti. Hers was a life devoted to educating and empowering women. Equally inspiring is her focus on social reform and community services,” PM Modi said.

Union Ministers including Nitin Gadkari, Shipad Y. Naik, Smriti Irani, Hardeep Singh Puri, among others too paid their reverence to a staunch champion of women’s rights & mother of Indian feminism on her birth anniversary.