Dr Anandi and her Times-XI
Anandi Gopal from unpublished sources - This book was published in 1997 by Bharatiya Itihas Sankalan Samiti.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.
NewsBharati 21-Jun-2023 10:28:54 AM
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Pandita Ramabai probably was in touch with Anandibai, a few of her letters are available. She wrote to both of them.
Her letter noted a very interesting point. Her daughter Manorama was almost four years old, she could read a little and spoke English well but did not speak a word of Marathi.
There is one more detailed letter written to Anandibai, dated 29/11/1886 from Philadelphia.
By the time Dr. Anandibai and Gopalrao reached Port Said. There is a reference to the treatment by British people, she described it as revengeful and bad-tempered. Hindoos seemed to be treated with contempt and were humiliated a lot. She probably wanted our people to retaliate in some way. This probably frightened her very much, but there was no substitute for visiting Briton as it ruled out the country, she wrote. At the same time, she was scared whether our own people would treat her on similar lines as she too ventured to choose America for her education. She said that she would be at peace only after receiving detailed information about her welcome to India.
She was very worried about Dr Anandibai's health, she obviously could understand that both of them had to compromise a lot on food and climate too. She hoped that on reaching India maybe they would recover.
Ramabai awaited her reply earnestly, she cared a lot for Dr Anandibai, one can feel the warmth.
There are two letters written to Gopalrao. There was disagreement on some points, which are not clearly stated, and Gopalrao's correspondence is not available. She requested him not to interfere in some matters unnecessarily ( the issue is not mentioned). She stated that she too could think of all the aspects as he could, so asked him to allow her to use her faculty of reasoning.
The next available correspondence does not have a date clearly known, but it was written in 1886 probably.
She said that she was not destined to take his advice. She did not approve of his opinion of blaming Christ and Christianity for everything. These two letters reflect their somewhat bitter exchange.
Of course, Gopalrao's personality was different than Dr Anandibai,as his age and experience.
There are many letters written by those who happened to know her in some way, they describe Dr Anandibai as a person, and sometimes their opinion surprises the reader too.
A letter written by Anna J Thoburn to prof Bodley dated 27/11/1882 ( who took care of Anandibai a lot later ) had a very special note added. Anandibai, she stated that was a bright little woman,(who) speaks English fairly well and writes better than she could, and had already had some knowledge of medicine.
Anandibai's reaching America raised the curiosity of the city press too, many reporters called concerned college authorities to enquire about their response related to the admission to Anandibai, a letter reported. ( Written from the Dean's office, Women's Medical College of Pennsylvania. )
This letter written to Anandibai is not in good condition, so the date cannot be ascertained. Ramabai appreciated Gopalrao's support to Anandibai in her education. She described him to be a person with liberal thoughts. She felt women need to be given the freedom to acquire education, it was absolutely necessary for their progress. She prayed for all the women.
Her letter noted a very interesting point. Her daughter Manorama was almost four years old, she could read a little and spoke English well but did not speak a word of Marathi.
There is one more detailed letter written to Anandibai, dated 29/11/1886 from Philadelphia.
By the time Dr. Anandibai and Gopalrao reached Port Said. There is a reference to the treatment by British people, she described it as revengeful and bad-tempered. Hindoos seemed to be treated with contempt and were humiliated a lot. She probably wanted our people to retaliate in some way. This probably frightened her very much, but there was no substitute for visiting Briton as it ruled out the country, she wrote. At the same time, she was scared whether our own people would treat her on similar lines as she too ventured to choose America for her education. She said that she would be at peace only after receiving detailed information about her welcome to India.
She was very worried about Dr Anandibai's health, she obviously could understand that both of them had to compromise a lot on food and climate too. She hoped that on reaching India maybe they would recover.
Ramabai awaited her reply earnestly, she cared a lot for Dr Anandibai, one can feel the warmth.
There are two letters written to Gopalrao. There was disagreement on some points, which are not clearly stated, and Gopalrao's correspondence is not available. She requested him not to interfere in some matters unnecessarily ( the issue is not mentioned). She stated that she too could think of all the aspects as he could, so asked him to allow her to use her faculty of reasoning.
The next available correspondence does not have a date clearly known, but it was written in 1886 probably.
She said that she was not destined to take his advice. She did not approve of his opinion of blaming Christ and Christianity for everything. These two letters reflect their somewhat bitter exchange.
Of course, Gopalrao's personality was different than Dr Anandibai,as his age and experience.
There are many letters written by those who happened to know her in some way, they describe Dr Anandibai as a person, and sometimes their opinion surprises the reader too.
A letter written by Anna J Thoburn to prof Bodley dated 27/11/1882 ( who took care of Anandibai a lot later ) had a very special note added. Anandibai, she stated that was a bright little woman,(who) speaks English fairly well and writes better than she could, and had already had some knowledge of medicine.
Anandibai's reaching America raised the curiosity of the city press too, many reporters called concerned college authorities to enquire about their response related to the admission to Anandibai, a letter reported. ( Written from the Dean's office, Women's Medical College of Pennsylvania. )
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,