Dr ANANDI and her TIMES - VIII
Anandi Gopal from unpublished sources - This book was published in 1997 by Bharatiya Itihas Sankalan Samiti. The Samiti collected more than 100 letters written by Dr Anandi mainly to her husband Shri Gopalrao, her brother, eminent personalities like Pandita Ramabai, Mrs Carpenter who was first to respond positively to the appeal made by Anandibai for support, her friends, and the Dewan of Kolhapur.
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The next communication dated 16/3/1885 was again in Marathi. She was very emotional reading the letter.
She expected him to be deeply serious, Gopalrao was angry with Mr James, thus the advice. She wanted to answer such people with positive action. ( Probably Gopalrao referred to his behaviour many times )
Her observation was that her friends appreciated him for his courage, she felt he certainly deserved their respect. The way he thought of her career and education was unbelievable, she asked him not to regret or feel apologetic for anything.
Though her expressions are modest, they reflect her eagerness to meet him. They were separated for nearly two years and after reaching America, she had to get accustomed to a new world and focus on her studies well.
She is writing at very short intervals though she is very occupied with her course work, she was a senior student then, the letter was written on 19/3/1885. Seniors were expected to know many things, exams were scheduled repeatedly, and there were many new subjects to be learned. They were to graduate the year after, so she was absolutely absorbed in the studies. Her health was good, she was probably taking some extra guidance too, but at the same time wanted to know Gopalrao's programme too.
It really was a trying time for both of them.
The letter written on 22/3/1885 is a little torn, the entire text is not available.
For the first time, she spent the entire day talking to her friends, just writing one answer, feeling a bit relaxed, and did not study at all. Of course, she enquired when would he reach America as her friends and teachers kept enquiring.
The next communication dated 18/4/1885 had the address, my beloved ( प्रियकरा ). She was not well for some time, so could not respond and was absorbed in the academic work to a great extent.
Though she spent two years away from him, once he planned to visit America, she longed to see him as early as possible. She was not worried about money, nor did she expect any compliment or appreciation, she wanted to be with him after the long separation.
Her mental health was good, she was calm, but she hoped her anxiety would be pardoned by him. Even if the visit was to be a short one,she was ready.
There might have been some exchange from Gopalrao, but it is not available.
The next letter by Gopalrao in the book had the date 3/5/1885. He mentioned the instance of Pandita Ramabai's conversion in the earlier exchange, in this letter he talked about it again. Though he did not approve of it, he thought he could not and should not criticise her decision as she helped them a lot.
Pandita Ramabai suggested both of them get converted to Christianity. She felt that was the only way left for them ( probably to get sufficient financial help ). Obviously, Gopalrao never had intended to do so. He just stated if Anandibai was ready then he might contemplate.
Gopalrao was in Oakland when he communicated this. He was invited to initiate a discussion and to address a group of people where he intended to censure the attitude of British rulers. Sufficient funding was still a problem, though he was trying his best.
He ended the letter by describing himself as her servant and Anandibai as his deity.
This is really unheard of, in that social set-up.
The date of the next letter could not be ascertained, maybe the note attached to some other communication, maybe it is a postscript. She described her first experience of childbirth in the hospital in detail. It was supervised by a senior doctor.
Again the date of writing cannot be figured out in the next available letter, it travelled from Philadelphia to San Francisco as per the postal stamps. Gopalrao was addressed as my beloved. Anandibai received Gopalrao's photograph, she suggested he grow his hair, as the climate was very cold and use hand gloves too. Her impression was that he was looking a little weak and lost some weight too.
She conveyed, she sufficiently had money which could last for some days, but she wrote, she intended to sell her gold ornaments once he reached.
She initially thought of receiving Gopalrao on his way to a city and proceeding to Roselle, but the cost of this travel was 60 dollars, it proved to be a deterrent, and she had to drop the idea.
Her health was not as she expected it to be, but the only goal was to work hard on the academic front as the examination was approaching.
The end phrase was ( आपली आज्ञांकित दासी ) a servant at your command, she mostly used her maiden name Yamuna to end letters.
Gradually her persona unfolds through her writings.
Gopalrao kept giving speeches wherever he travelled. She suggested that he could write the matter and read as it would help avoid errors. She observed that many read their written essays in public addresses. She advised that reading should be at a moderate pace and clear pronunciation is essential for people to understand and like it.
She expected him to be deeply serious, Gopalrao was angry with Mr James, thus the advice. She wanted to answer such people with positive action. ( Probably Gopalrao referred to his behaviour many times )
Her observation was that her friends appreciated him for his courage, she felt he certainly deserved their respect. The way he thought of her career and education was unbelievable, she asked him not to regret or feel apologetic for anything.
Though her expressions are modest, they reflect her eagerness to meet him. They were separated for nearly two years and after reaching America, she had to get accustomed to a new world and focus on her studies well.
She is writing at very short intervals though she is very occupied with her course work, she was a senior student then, the letter was written on 19/3/1885. Seniors were expected to know many things, exams were scheduled repeatedly, and there were many new subjects to be learned. They were to graduate the year after, so she was absolutely absorbed in the studies. Her health was good, she was probably taking some extra guidance too, but at the same time wanted to know Gopalrao's programme too.
It really was a trying time for both of them.
The letter written on 22/3/1885 is a little torn, the entire text is not available.
For the first time, she spent the entire day talking to her friends, just writing one answer, feeling a bit relaxed, and did not study at all. Of course, she enquired when would he reach America as her friends and teachers kept enquiring.
The next communication dated 18/4/1885 had the address, my beloved ( प्रियकरा ). She was not well for some time, so could not respond and was absorbed in the academic work to a great extent.
Though she spent two years away from him, once he planned to visit America, she longed to see him as early as possible. She was not worried about money, nor did she expect any compliment or appreciation, she wanted to be with him after the long separation.
Her mental health was good, she was calm, but she hoped her anxiety would be pardoned by him. Even if the visit was to be a short one,she was ready.
There might have been some exchange from Gopalrao, but it is not available.
The next letter by Gopalrao in the book had the date 3/5/1885. He mentioned the instance of Pandita Ramabai's conversion in the earlier exchange, in this letter he talked about it again. Though he did not approve of it, he thought he could not and should not criticise her decision as she helped them a lot.
Pandita Ramabai suggested both of them get converted to Christianity. She felt that was the only way left for them ( probably to get sufficient financial help ). Obviously, Gopalrao never had intended to do so. He just stated if Anandibai was ready then he might contemplate.
Gopalrao was in Oakland when he communicated this. He was invited to initiate a discussion and to address a group of people where he intended to censure the attitude of British rulers. Sufficient funding was still a problem, though he was trying his best.
He ended the letter by describing himself as her servant and Anandibai as his deity.
This is really unheard of, in that social set-up.
The date of the next letter could not be ascertained, maybe the note attached to some other communication, maybe it is a postscript. She described her first experience of childbirth in the hospital in detail. It was supervised by a senior doctor.
Again the date of writing cannot be figured out in the next available letter, it travelled from Philadelphia to San Francisco as per the postal stamps. Gopalrao was addressed as my beloved. Anandibai received Gopalrao's photograph, she suggested he grow his hair, as the climate was very cold and use hand gloves too. Her impression was that he was looking a little weak and lost some weight too.
She conveyed, she sufficiently had money which could last for some days, but she wrote, she intended to sell her gold ornaments once he reached.
She initially thought of receiving Gopalrao on his way to a city and proceeding to Roselle, but the cost of this travel was 60 dollars, it proved to be a deterrent, and she had to drop the idea.
Her health was not as she expected it to be, but the only goal was to work hard on the academic front as the examination was approaching.
According to Anandibai, there was a possibility of his finding the job of teaching Sanskrit in America.
Gradually her persona unfolds through her writings.
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,