Pandita Ramabai Sarasvati

Born:23 April 1858

Died: 5 April 1922

• She was an Indian social reformer, a pioneer in the education and emancipation of women in India.
• She was the first woman to be accorded the titles of Pandita as a Sanskrit scholar and Sarasvati after being examined by the faculty of the University of Calcutta.
• She participated in the freedom movement and was one of the 10 women delegates of the Congress session of 1889.
• When in 1882 a commission was appointed by Government of India to look into education, she gave evidence before it.
• She suggested that teachers be trained and women school inspectors be appointed.
• Further, she said that as the situation in India was that women’s conditions were such that women could only medically treat them, Indian women should be admitted to medical colleges.
• She’s evidence created a great sensation and reached Queen Victoria.
• It bore fruit later in starting of the Women’s Medical Movement by Lord Dufferin.
• She went to Britain in 1883 to start medical training. During her stay she converted to Christianity.
• From Britain she traveled to the United States in 1886 to attend the graduation of the first female Indian doctor, Anandibai Joshi, staying for two years.

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