On International Women’s day we commemorate the struggles and achievements of women across the world who have devoted themselves to the cause of humanity and transcended their limitations to contribute to a better world. Pandita Ramabai was one such woman who fought against all such odds and continued to work for women’s empowerment at a time when women were denied any agency.
The New Leam wishes to tell its readers the story of her struggle and her path breaking work on this special occasion.
Roopa Rathnam is an eminent Scholar working on feminism and religion with special reference to Pandita Ramabai’s life- trajectory and contributions.
Pandita Ramabai (23 April 1858- 5 April 1922) was an Indian scholar and social reformer who worked extensively for the emancipation of women. She wrote many books, such as her popular The High-Caste Indian Woman, which showed the troubles of child wives and women in India. She completed her studies at a time when women were not encouraged to do so, she struggled against all odds and adversities in her own personal life but continued to walk upon the path of social service that she had chosen for herself. Deeply inspired by Christianity she began to learn Greek and Hebrew to be able to read the Bible in original and later went on to translate it into Marathi. In 1889 she founded the Mukti Mission, a home for the Indian widows of all castes. Mukti Mission later took into its fold orphan boys and unmarried mothers Her work for the emancipation of women continued till her last moment and she will forever be remembered as a scholar and social reformer.
Refrence:
Rathnam, Roopa. Pandita Ramabai: An Inspiring Story of Perseverance And Adventure, The New Leam
wikipedia.com
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