Page 9 - NIS ENGLISH 1-15 May, 2026

Prime Minister’s article | SPECIAL

investing in knowledge, skills and opportunity, India she herself contracted the disease and lost her own life.
is empowering its youth to become problem-solvers Our land has been blessed, time and again, by great
and drivers of national progress. men and women who have strengthened society
Due to his knowledge and wisdom, Mahatma Phule through thought, sacrifice and action. They did not
developed a strong understanding of areas such as ag- wait for change to arrive from somewhere else. They
riculture, healthcare and rural development. He often became its source. For hundreds of years in our land,
said that injustice towards our farmers and workers the clarion call for social betterment has often risen
weakens our society. He saw how social inequalities from within society itself, from those who could see suf-
manifested themselves in daily life, be it in the farms fering clearly and refused to accept it as fate. Mahatma
or in villages. Hence, he immersed himself in ensuring Jyotirao Phule was one such voice.
dignity for the poor, the downtrodden and the margin- I fondly recall my visit to Pune in 2022, when I had
alised. At the same time, he made every possible effort offered tributes to Mahatma Phule at his grand statue
to ensure social harmony was maintained. in the city. As we mark the beginning of his bicentenary
Mahatma Phule opined, “जोोपर्यंंत समााजोातील सर्वाांनाा year, the most fitting tribute to Mahatma Jyotirao
समााना अधि�काार धिमाळत नााहीीत, तोपर्यंंत खरे स्र्वाातंत्र्र्यं धिमाळत नााहीी” Phule is about renewal. Renewal of our commitment to
(True freedom cannot be achieved until everyone in subjects close to his heart, such as education. Renewal
society is granted equal rights). And for that, he built of our sensitivity to injustice. Renewal of our
institutions that translated this vision into action, faith that society can improve itself
contributing to a just society. The Satyashodhak from within. His life tells us that the
Samaj, founded by him, was one of the most im- power of community can achieve
portant social reform movements in modern India. miracles in India when joined with
It was at the forefront of social reform, community moral clarity and public purpose. That
service and furthering human dignity. It became an is why he still gives strength
effective voice for women, youngsters and those to millions. That is why his
living in villages. This movement reflected Mahatma words and work still carry
Phule’s intrinsic belief that society could be hope. And that is why, nearly
strengthened by placing at its core justice, respect two hundred years after his
for every person and a spirit of collective progress. birth, Mahatma Jyotirao Phule
His personal life, too, carried lessons in courage. remains not a figure of the past, but a
Always working and being among the people took a toll guide for India’s future. n
on his health. But even the most serious health chal-
lenges did not dim his resolve. After suffering a debili-
tating stroke, he continued to work and fulfil his vision.
Yes, his body had been tested, but his commitment to
society had not yielded. For millions today, especially
those who draw courage from struggle, this remains
one of the most powerful dimensions of his life.
No remembrance of Mahatma Phule can be com-
plete without a respectful mention of Savitribai Phule,
who was herself one of the tallest reformers of our
nation. As one of India’s pioneering women teachers,
she played a defining role in advancing education for
girls, thus giving them the opportunity to pursue their
dreams. After Mahatma Phule’s passing, Savitribai
carried forward that torch and, in 1897, during a plague
outbreak, she served victims with such devotion that

May 01-15, 2026 || NEW INDIA SAMACHAR 7