Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu paid tribute to social reformer Savitribai Phule on her 194th birth anniversary. CM Reddy highlighted her contributions to promoting women's education and fighting against discrimination, while CM Naidu acknowledged her trailblazing efforts in starting the first girls' school in India. Former CM Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy also honored Savitribai Phule as a pioneer in the girls' education movement.
Savitribai Phule: Trailblazing Social Reformer and Education Pioneer
Savitribai Phule, born on January 3, 1831, was an Indian social reformer, educator, and poetess who dedicated her life to advancing the cause of women's education and fighting against discrimination based on caste and gender.
Early Life and Education
Savitribai was born into a poor farmer's family in the village of Naigaon, near Pune, India. Despite the societal norms that restricted education for girls, Savitribai's father, Gopiraj Phule, was a progressive man who believed in the importance of education for all. With his support, Savitribai attended school and excelled in her studies.
Marriage and Social Reform
In 1840, at the tender age of nine, Savitribai was married to Jyotirao Phule, a like-minded social reformer. Together, they established a school for girls in 1848, the first of its kind in India.
This act of defiance against traditional norms was met with strong resistance from the conservative society. The couple faced verbal abuse, threats, and even physical violence. Undeterred, Savitribai and Jyotirao continued to work tirelessly for the upliftment of women and the eradication of untouchability.
Contribution to Education
Savitribai's primary focus was on promoting education for girls. She believed that education was the key to empowering women and enabling them to participate in society as equal members. She established several schools and orphanages, where girls from all castes and backgrounds were welcomed.
In addition to formal education, Savitribai also organized literary societies and reading corners for women. She wrote and published poems and articles promoting gender equality and social reform.
Fight Against Discrimination
Savitribai was a vocal opponent of the caste system and the oppression of Dalits (lower castes). She worked tirelessly to bridge the social divide and promote unity among people of all castes and religions.
She established the Satyashodhak Samaj (Truth-Seeking Society) in 1873, which aimed to combat social and religious superstitions and promote rational thinking. She organized protests and public meetings to demand equal rights for Dalits.
Legacy
Savitribai Phule's unwavering commitment to women's education and social reform left an indelible mark on Indian society. Her contributions laid the foundation for the women's movement in India and continue to inspire generations of activists and reformers.
In recognition of her extraordinary life and work, Savitribai Phule was posthumously awarded the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian award, in 2017. Her birth anniversary, January 3, is celebrated as Balika Shiksha Diwas (Girl's Education Day) in India.
Top 5 FAQs and Answers
Q1: What were Savitribai Phule's major contributions to women's education?
A1: Savitribai Phule established the first girls' school in India in 1848 and played a pivotal role in promoting education for girls and fighting against gender discrimination.
Q2: What was the Satyashodhak Samaj and what were its goals?
A2: The Satyashodhak Samaj was an organization founded by Savitribai and Jyotirao Phule in 1873 to promote rational thinking, combat social and religious superstition, and advocate for equal rights for all castes and religions.
Q3: What was the significance of the Bharat Ratna award for Savitribai Phule?
A3: The Bharat Ratna award is India's highest civilian honor, and Savitribai Phule was the first female social reformer to receive this prestigious recognition. It is a testament to her exceptional contributions to Indian society.
Q4: Why is Savitribai Phule's birth anniversary celebrated as Balika Shiksha Diwas?
A4: Savitribai Phule's birth anniversary is celebrated as Balika Shiksha Diwas to honor her dedication to girls' education and to highlight the importance of empowering girls and women through education.
Q5: What are some of the ways in which Savitribai Phule's legacy is still relevant today?
A5: Savitribai Phule's legacy continues to inspire activists and reformers working for gender equality, social justice, and the eradication of discrimination based on caste and other social factors. Her message of education, empowerment, and unity is more relevant than ever in the modern era.
The Supreme Court has agreed to examine the Central Bureau of Investigation's appeal against the acquittal of Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh and four others in the murder case of former sect manager Ranjit Singh. The case, which has seen multiple twists and turns, has been referred to Justice Bela M. Trivedi's bench, which is already hearing a related petition filed by the victim's father. The CBI has argued that Ram Rahim orchestrated the murder after suspecting Singh of leaking an anonymous letter accusing him of sexual misconduct. The case has attracted widespread public attention due to Ram Rahim's involvement and frequent paroles from prison.
As Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Supriya Sule voices the public demand for Minister Dhananjay Munde's resignation, a petition filed in the Bombay High Court by Dhananjay Deshmukh, brother of the murdered sarpanch, is withdrawn. The petition had alleged that Munde was linked to a criminal syndicate involved in the murder of his sibling in 2024. Sule cites a precedent in which a former Maharashtra CM resigned over a scam, calling for similar sensitivity towards this case.
The Election Commission of India has announced the schedule for the Delhi Assembly Elections 2025, with voting to take place on February 5 and counting of votes on February 8. The recent release of the final electoral roll shows a 1.09 per cent increase in the number of voters since the last draft. CEC Rajiv Kumar addressed concerns over EVMs and the election procedure, asserting the transparency and credibility of the Indian election process. The AAP, BJP and Congress are gearing up for a three-way battle, with the AAP currently in the lead after sweeping 2020 Delhi elections.
With the Delhi Assembly elections just around the corner, AICC Delhi in-charge Qazi Nizamuddin believes that the Congress party will successfully appeal to voters by focusing on key issues affecting citizens. He emphasized that the party only makes promises that have been fulfilled in Congress-ruled states and will prioritize cleaning the Yamuna, improving women's safety, reducing corruption, and addressing unemployment, all of which have been neglected by the current AAP government.
The BJP has refuted Delhi CM Atishi's accusation that her official residence was taken away by the Centre, stating that the allotment was withdrawn for her failure to take possession and ongoing CBI/ED investigation. The AAP leader, however, remains undeterred and vows to work for the people of Delhi even if it means operating from the streets. Delhi's 2025 election poll schedule has also been announced, with voting to take place on February 5 and results on February 8.
During a news conference in Mar-a-Lago, President-elect Donald Trump announced his plan to change the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America. Trump believes that the new name has a "beautiful ring" and is more appropriate, especially given the current state of relations between the US and Mexico. While this isn't the first time renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America has been proposed, Trump's announcement has caused controversy and garnered attention.
The nation bids farewell to former President Jimmy Carter as his funeral procession takes place from the U.S. Navy Memorial to the Capitol in Washington D.C. The event was attended by many political figures and members of the public, paying their respects to the late President. Despite the solemn atmosphere, the streets were lined with people celebrating Carter's life and legacy.
Union Minister of Education Dharmendra Pradhan has released the draft guidelines for the UGC (Minimum Qualifications for Appointment of Teachers and Academic Staff in Universities and Colleges and Measures for the Maintenance of Standards in Higher Education) Regulations, 2025. These new regulations aim to bring flexibility, inclusivity, and excellence in faculty recruitment and career progression in Indian higher education institutions. They also align with the goals of the New Education Policy-2020 (NEP-2020) and place emphasis on Indian languages and interdisciplinary backgrounds. Additionally, the guidelines include specialized recruitment pathways for fields such as Yoga, Music, Performing Arts, Visual Arts, Sculpture, and Drama to attract the best talent and preserve India's cultural heritage.
Hickman, a former Parkland High School student, is scheduled to appear in Forsyth Superior Court for slapping a teacher and making threats towards her. The incident was captured on a viral video which showed the teacher remaining calm as she was assaulted and verbally abused. Hickman's case was continued by Judge Aaron Berlin on Monday.
Self-styled godman Asaram, who was convicted in two separate rape cases, has been granted interim bail by the Supreme Court on medical grounds. However, the bail is only until March 31 and he will remain in jail as he has to obtain bail in another rape case. Asaram's request for bail was based on his deteriorating health condition, for which he had previously received treatment in Pune and AIIMS Jodhpur. The Supreme Court also ordered police officers to escort him to the hospital for treatment without imposing any restrictions on where he should go.