History of English Education in India by Gautam Bisht https://padlet.com/gautambisht2025/wv1kgye6s0ixxuts Tale of two texts en-us 2021-11-10 10:48:48 UTC 2021-11-10 23:30:30 UTC hello@padlet.com First para- Savitri Phule, 1856 gautambisht2025 https://padlet.com/gautambisht2025/wv1kgye6s0ixxuts/wish/1880939261 The Embodiment of Truth, My Lord Jyotiba,
Savitri salutes you!

After so many vicissitudes, now it seems my health has been fully restored. My brother worked so hard and nursed me so well through my sickness. His service and devotion shows how loving he really is! I will come to Pune as soon as I get perfectly well. Please do not worry about me. I know my absence causes Fatima so much trouble but I am sure she will understand and won’t grumble.

]]> 2021-11-10 10:51:02 UTC https://padlet.com/gautambisht2025/wv1kgye6s0ixxuts/wish/1880939261 Second para- Savitri Phule, 1856 gautambisht2025 https://padlet.com/gautambisht2025/wv1kgye6s0ixxuts/wish/1880940399 As we were talking one day, my brother said, “You and your husband have rightly been excommunicated because both of you serve the untouchables (Mahars and Mangs). The untouchables are fallen people and by helping them you are bringing a bad name to our family. That is why, I tell you to behave according to the customs of our caste and obey the dictates of the Brahmans.” Mother was so disturbed by this brash talk of my brother.

]]> 2021-11-10 10:51:43 UTC https://padlet.com/gautambisht2025/wv1kgye6s0ixxuts/wish/1880940399 Third Para- Savitri Phule, 1856 gautambisht2025 https://padlet.com/gautambisht2025/wv1kgye6s0ixxuts/wish/1880942932  He said- “Why do you teach those Mahars and Mangs? People abuse you because you teach the untouchables. I cannot bear it when people abuse and create trouble for you for doing that. I cannot tolerate such insults.” I told him what the (teaching of) English had been doing for the people. I said, “The lack of learning is nothing but gross bestiality. It is through the acquisition of knowledge that (he) loses his lower status and achieves the higher one. My husband is a god-like man. He is beyond comparison in this world, nobody can equal him. He thinks the Untouchables must learn and attain freedom. He confronts the Brahmans and fights with them to ensure Teaching and Learning for the Untouchables because he believes that they are human beings like other and they should live as dignified humans. For this they must be educated. I also teach them for the same reason. What is wrong with that? Yes, we both teach girls, women, Mangs and Mahars. The Brahmans are upset because they believe this will create problems for them. ]]> 2021-11-10 10:53:16 UTC https://padlet.com/gautambisht2025/wv1kgye6s0ixxuts/wish/1880942932 Fourth Para- Savitri Phule, 1856 gautambisht2025 https://padlet.com/gautambisht2025/wv1kgye6s0ixxuts/wish/1880948524 “You surely remember that the British Government had organised a function to honour my husband for his great work. His felicitation caused these vile people much heartburn. Let me tell you that my husband does not merely invoke God’s name and participate in pilgrimages like you. He is actually doing God’s own work. And I assist him in that. I enjoy doing this work. I get immeasurable joy by doing such service. Moreover, it also shows the heights and horizons to which a human being can reach out.”

]]> 2021-11-10 10:56:55 UTC https://padlet.com/gautambisht2025/wv1kgye6s0ixxuts/wish/1880948524 Para 5- Savitri Phule, 1856 gautambisht2025 https://padlet.com/gautambisht2025/wv1kgye6s0ixxuts/wish/1880950046 Mother and brother were listening to me intently. My brother finally came around, repented for what he had said and asked for forgiveness. Mother said, “Savitri, your tongue must be speaking God’s own words. We are blessed by your words of wisdom.” Such appreciation from my mother and brother gladdened my heart. From this you can imagine that there are many idiots here, as in Pune, who poison people’s minds and spread canards against us. But why should we fear them and leave this noble cause that we have undertaken? It would be better to engage with the work instead. We shall overcome and success will be ours in the future. The future belongs to us.
What more could I write?
With humble regards,
Yours,
Savitri   

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