Page 8 - NIS English 2021 November 16-31

BEHIN
THE MAN BEHIND BRINGING
THE MAN
D BRINGIN
G
Personality
Jyotirao Govindrao Phule
RAD

RADICAL REFORMS FOR
EFORMS FOR
ICAL R
WOMEN EMPOWERMENT
WO ME N EMPOWE RMEN T
World history is full of examples where the exploitation of others
by denying them their rights has been very widespread. But amidst
this maleficent practice, many social reformers such as Raja
Rammohan Roy, Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, Periyar, Babasaheb
Ambedkar emerged as a hope for the millions of
people deprived of their rights. They championed
tirelessly to address these issues and are truly
the beacons of social reforms. Among these
luminaries is also included the name of Jyotiba
who not only raised his voice against evil practices
of untouchability and child marriage but is also
considered as the father of women's education in
India. He advocated for women's education at a
time when it was still considered taboo.

Birth: April 11, 1827, Died: November 28, 1890

his incidence is nearly 150 years old. An event
was organized in Pune to welcome the British
Tprince and grandson of Queen Victoria. All
the influential and rich people were present at the
ceremony. Laden with diamonds and jewels everyone TRIBUTES TO THE GREAT
was ostentatiously displaying their wealth. In this
pompous function, a man arrived in the costume of SOCIAL REFORMER, THINKER,
a farmer. In his address, he told the British prince – PHILOSOPHER, AND WRITER
“People who wear clothes studded with diamonds and
pearls do not represent our country because money is MAHATMA JYOTIBA PHULE. HE
more important in their life than bread. If you and the REMAINED COMMITTED TO THE
Queen really want to know the condition of the Indian
subjects, then visit the nearby villages and cities where EDUCATION AND EMPOWERMENT
those people live, who are considered untouchables, OF WOMEN THROUGHOUT HIS
with whom it is taboo to socialize. It is considered
impure to take water or food from them or stand LIFE. HIS DEVOTION TOWARDS
closer with these people. I request you to convey this SOCIAL REFORM WILL
message to Queen Victoria and make arrangements to
provide proper education to these poor people. "" CONTINUE TO INSPIRE
Everyone present at the reception was stunned. He GENERATIONS TO COME.
was none other than Jyotirao Govind Rao Phule who
crossed swords with British rule and other influential - NARENDRA MODI,
persons in the country for the empowerment of PRIME MINISTER
the underprivileged and girls. Jyotiba was born on
April 11, 1827, in a family of 'Gajra' makers in Pune.
The family is said to have worked as a gardener for

6 New India Samachar November 16-30, 2021