Savitribai Phule Jayanti (3rd January)

Savitribai Phule Jayanti is observed on 3rd January. It marks the birthday of Savitribai Phule, who was India's 1st feminist, 1st female teacher and a great social reformer. She was born in 1831 & fought for the rights of women and castes along with her husband Jyotirao Phule. She serves as an inspiration to many people around the world.

Historical Context of Jayanti

The origins of Savitribai Phule Jayanti can be traced back to the socio-cultural milieu of colonial India of the 19th century, where the stringent caste hierarchy system and gender norms held back the growth and progress of society.
Born on January 3, 1831, in Naigaon, Satara District (present-day Maharashtra), Savitri was a member of the Mali caste, living at a time when Brahmin domination denied education to low-caste individuals and females.
Celebration of her Jayanti gathered pace after independence, reflecting India's commitment to Article 14-16 of its Constitution on the ideals of equality.
January 3 is now an official holiday in Maharashtra, honoring her as "the first female teacher of India."
Celebrations include speeches, lectures, parades and other activities, often organized by institutions like the Savitribai Phule Pune University (Fergusson College earlier).
Her involvement in the past was marked by the connection to the egalitarian tendencies of the Bhakti movement, which had already seen its beginnings through reformist figures like Raja Ram Mohan Roy.
However, the radicalism of Savitribai lay in the fact that she endured being pelted with stones when establishing the first school for girls in India at Pune (1848).
The festival reached its zenith during the social justice movement in Maharashtra during the 1990s, when monuments such as the Savitribai Phule Memorial in Pune were inaugurated.
At the national level, it is associated with Republic Day celebrations, where lesser-known figures are honored. On January 3, 2021, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter to pay tribute to her, giving it a boost in recognition.
In today's times, when the issue of gender-based violence is on the rise, Jayanti emphasizes her poem "Go, Get Education," which encourages awakening.

Major Contributions of Savitribai Phule

The contributions made by Savitribai Phule revolutionized Indian society through education, anti-caste movements, and women empowerment.
She opened India's first school for girls in 1848 at the Bhide Wada of Pune, disregarding traditional customs.
By 1851, she had set up 18 schools teaching 150 pupils, preferring Marathi language to Sanskrit.
Together with her husband, she established the Mahila Seva Mandal (1852), fighting against widows' suicides and child marriages, providing legal assistance and skills training.
She opened 52 orphanages during the period of famine of 1876-1878, helping feed thousands of children.
In her anti-untouchability campaigns, she constructed a public well for Dalits in 1868.
Her literature was revolutionary – her poetry book titled Kavya Phule, written in 1854, opposed patriarchy and advocated widow marriage through her editorials in the Deenbandhu journal.
She initiated a clinic during the 1897 plague, serving the patients herself until she too fell victim to the disease and died on March 10, aged 66 years.
Adoption of the Brahmin child named Yashwantrao by Savitribai Phule symbolized caste annihilation.
This was the harbinger of the constitutionality of measures such as the Hindu Widows' Remarriage Act (1856).
The pioneering work by Savitribai has inspired reformers such as Periyar and Ambedkar in their respective times.

Significance of Jayanti

The Savitribai Phule Jayanti is very important because it signifies gender and caste equality in modern India.
She was the founder of literacy for women, whose work has given birth to schemes such as "Beti Bachao Beti Padhao".
Marked enthusiastically with events like rallies, awarding ceremonies, and cultural events in Maharashtra, it promotes constitutional principles of fraternity and equality.
This day focuses on issues such as female feticide, dropping out of schools, and caste-based crimes.
In schools, her life history is included in the syllabus.
Internationally, it relates to UN SDG 5 (Gender Equality), making India a leader in reforms.
By 2026, during elections, it intensifies calls for the reservation for women, fulfilling her dream.
In essence, the Jayanti makes January 3rd a resolution to move forward inclusively and make sure that the fire ignited by Savitribai lives on forever.

Social Reform by Savitribai Phule

Savitribai Phule initiated reforms by addressing the social evils of caste and gender discrimination during the 19th century in India.
She fearlessly taught the daughters of 'untouchables', risking upper-caste assaults that would hurl filth at her, which she used her sari to ward off.
The Satyashodhak Samaj was responsible for arranging gatherings for farmers and meals among castes, reducing the inflexibility of varna.
The fight for widow marriage rights helped abolish practices associated with sati and provided shelter and counseling to women.
She advocated for cleanliness and hygiene, an uncommon phenomenon during those days, through distribution of sarees and books.
In case of famine, her institutions were rescued from trafficking, thus acting like the welfare of the state.
She displayed her bravery during the plague, which became an example of public health reform.
In line with the philosophy of Jyotirao's Gulamgiri, she established the relation between caste and slavery.
Labor laws were also reformed, Savitri educated women in crafts for self-reliance.
The impact of Savitribai can be seen in affirmative action today.
The reservation system came into practice due to the schools set up by her. In UPSC, she is an example of a 'subaltern'.