Photos: Celebrating Savitribai Phule, a pioneer for women’s education
Updated On Jan 03, 2020 08:50 PM IST
Hailed a pioneer in women's education, Savitribai Phule and her husband, social reformer Jyotirao Phule started what is believed to be India's first school for girls in Pune’s Bhidewada 171 years ago. On the 189th birth anniversary of Savitribai Phule, students of Ahilyadevi High School for Girls in Pune dressed up like her, and were served delicacies by the school administration. Savitribai, who was taught by her husband, championed the cause of women empowerment through education. She died on March 10, 1897.
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Updated on Jan 03, 2020 08:50 PM IST
Students of Ahilyadevi High School for Girls pose for a picture while attired like the social reformer Savitribai Phule on the eve of her 189th birth anniversary, at Shaniwar Peth, in Pune, Maharashtra. January 3 marks the birth anniversary of Savitribai Phule, who, along with her husband Jyotirao Phule, worked tirelessly towards creating platforms to educate people from the lower strata of society, in an era when caste-based discrimination was rampant in India. (Sanket Wankhade / HT Photo)
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Updated on Jan 03, 2020 08:50 PM IST
A woman addresses the students of Ahilyadevi High School for Girls. Savitribai Phule was born on January 3 1831 at Naigaon in Maharashtra’s Satara district. She was the eldest daughter of Lakshmi and Khandoji Neveshe Patil, both of whom belonged to the Mali community. At the age of 9, she was married to 13-year-old Jyotirao Phule. (Sanket Wankhade / HT Photo)
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To celebrate the occasion, 189 students of the school dressed up like Savitribai Phule and presented the modern version of education by using laptops, mobiles and other gadgets that are increasingly being used for imparting knowledge. (Sanket Wankhade / HT Photo)
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A girl poses for a picture during the celebrations. Savitribai married Jyotirao at the age of nine, and moved to Pune with him. Her husband taught her to read and write. Savitribai took a teachers’ training course and became a qualified teacher in 1847. (Sanket Wankhade / HT Photo)
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Ahilyadevi High School for Girls is one of the institutions started by Savitribai Phule. After becoming a qualified teacher, the couple then started a school for girls in Bhidewada in Pune city in 1848, and she became its first teacher. (Sanket Wankhade / HT Photo)
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Girls are seen studying at Ahilyadevi High School for Girls. The couple had to face harassment from conservative elements. They faced ostracism; it is said that Savitribai carried a spare saree with her because people sometimes threw stones and dung at her as she walked to the school. (Sanket Wankhade / HT Photo)
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On the occasion, the students were offered food by the school authorities. Savitribai and her husband were instrumental in setting up ‘Satyashodhak Samaj’ (Society of truth-seekers), which championed progressive ideas, denounced the dowry custom and encouraged marriage without exchange of dowry. (Sanket Wankhade / HT Photo)
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Girls are seen taking measurements during a class. On Friday, a procession was taken out here from Bhidewada to Phulewada, the residence of the Phules, to pay tributes to her. (Sanket Wankhade / HT Photo)
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Updated on Jan 03, 2020 08:50 PM IST