Dr ANANDI and her TIMES - V

NewsBharati    30-May-2023 15:41:50 PM   
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The letter written on 13/5/1884 is by Gopalrao. Maybe Anandibai's earlier letter did not reach him, thus he noted that there was no communication from her for three weeks. Of course, he knew well about her engagement.

He noted that he could collect RS 373,( he sent 400 dollars earlier )he requested a gentleman to send 5 pounds too, he wished to collect money as early as possible. He could garner the support of people from all quarters, but those who knew him well hesitated to an extent. He was a little displeased with the attitude of some such people.

Sometimes lay persons don't understand their own benefits, so don't help, but those who can see the future are not dispirited, he observed.
 
anandi 

The next to follow was a postcard, dated 15/5/1884. Gopalrao was busy with the inspection at the post office. Though Gopalrao was dismayed at the response of people about her decision to go to America and return to work for society, her dedication became even stronger.

The next letter available is also by Gopalrao dated 14/6/1884.

There is a mention that he received a letter from Anandibai. ( But it doesn't seem to be available. )

As he was constantly raising funds, he wrote that if could not raise sufficient money, he would continue with the job. They were anyhow separated by fate, so how did it matter whether he was in India or Myanmar?( Was known as Brahmadesh then ) He was proud and happy that she presented her thoughts in the presence of so many women. He was absolutely satisfied as the first-year report card reached him.
 

anandi 

He prayed to the almighty to keep her happy and in good health. What he dreamt of her future was about to be fulfilled, so he asked her not to worry about him, God would definitely look after him. There is certainly a faint streak of anguish as they were separated, but he gave the example of lord Rama and consoled that he too had to be exiled for 14 years.

The next letter available is also by Gopalrao on 1/7/1884.

He wrote that Mr James who helped Anandibai a lot, was angry due to some reason ( not explained in the letter) and wanted to write to Anandibai and ask her to leave the course and return. Though Gopalrao did not approve of his behavior, he felt that whatever help she received from him was in a way useful and important.

Gopalrao wrote about his experience in Myanmar, the role of women ( he found them to be independent-minded), and vegetables and fruits were available in plenty in the country.

He met the chief commissioner of Yangon (known as Rangoon then ), and he gave Gopalrao a letter that had an appeal for help and support. The letter had a reference to Shri Bapat who probably promised to send money.

Gopalrao was relentlessly raising funds for her education, never for even a moment he could keep the thought aside.

This letter is written on 11/7/1884 by Gopalrao.

He used to travel from Prome to Mandalay. He found women to be very progressive, they had control of every kind of commercial activity, were beautiful and smart, and kept homes very clean. He appreciated the lifestyle. (Prome was an important trade center, and was a transshipment point for cargo between upper and lower Burma then.) (Mandalay was the second largest city under British rule, and was a commercial and cultural center under British rule, Lokmanya Tilak was imprisoned here between 1908 and 1914, while in prison he wrote 'Gita Rahasya '. ) He conveyed that he would not be near any post office for the next six days, and only on reaching Mandalay on 16th, there would be a post office. , He was to travel by boat with 200 passengers, it was very clean,he remarked that even cooking place was absolutely squeaky clean.

He was to move out the Myanmar, and was to travel out of the British Empire,so he quipped that he would write the next letter from a free land,he said that sensing a breeze from the free land would be a blissful experience.

Prof. Vidya Deshpande

Professor Vidya Deshpande has had a journey of more than four decades in the field of education. Her  main expertise is in the subject of Philosophy,  and she has worked as a teacher of philosophy and logic with Nowrosjee Wadia college for 36 years. She has been associated with the Janakalyan Blood bank for last for 38 years and has also carried out the responsibility as a management committee member of Karve Stree Shikshan Sanstha for 10 years. Her special fields of interest are Philosophy of social sciences, school education, development of skills for self reliance,  and top up skills to make students profession ready,