Everyone remembers their school days. More often than not, it’s about a teacher who changed his life and whose influence went beyond the walls of the classroom. Whether they made you stronger, gave you a platform to showcase your talent, or believed in you when no one else did, they left a dent in your memory.
Similarly history has seen many Indian educationists who revolutionized the system through their work and shaped the great Indians we know today.
Here is a glimpse of nine such academics.
1. Jyotirao and Savitribai Phule
This husband-wife duo, who advocated the right to education for girls, went on to open the first school for girls in India in 1848. Savitribai is credited as the first woman teacher in India. The school made headlines after nine girls from different social backgrounds enrolled on the first day, setting an example of the unprecedented work a couple can do.
Not taking a minute to rest on these laurels, the couple opened several schools in and around Pune between 1848 and 1852. They aimed to ensure that Dalit community children were given priority in these schools. Finally, a night school was also established.
Along with education, the couple set their sights on the welfare of India’s marginalized communities and pregnant widows. The latter was cared for at a center opened by Jyotirao in his own home.
2. Fatima Shaikh
While Jyotirao and Savitribai’s contribution to Indian education is widely acclaimed, here is the story of a woman who played a significant role in the cause. Fatima Sheikh was the first Muslim woman teacher in the Indian subcontinent. Her role as a social reformer revolved around providing education to women and children neglected by society.
According to biographer Rita Ramamurthy Gupta, she served as Savitribai’s right hand.
Fatima was Savitri’s assistant and acted as the headmistress of the school when Savitri was unwell or when many girls had to go to preach to get to school.
3. Setu Lakshmi Bai
An interesting anecdote that often accompanies the mention of Rani Sethu Lakshmi Bai, the last ruler of Travancore – how she invited college-going girls to join her for tea at her palace. This incentive worked well and pushed many young girls for higher education, it is said.
Her efforts to bring women to the pinnacle of success did not stop there. During her reign, she ensured that women working at the local level were promoted to become part of the government machinery. This enabled them to have a say in the policy framework.
Intent on women having a diverse curriculum to explore, in 1927, the king opened the study of law to women students and ordered the Women’s College in Trivandrum to start classes in history, natural sciences, languages and mathematics.
4. Dr. Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan
As the second President of India (1962-1967) Dr. Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan’s role is well known, but it is his distinguished career as an Indian educationist that we are celebrating today. Undoubtedly, his work has left an indelible impact on the educational and political landscape of the country. In fact, Teacher’s Day celebrates his birthday and honors the contribution of teachers to society.
He was a firm believer in the right to education in India and was a firm believer in the idea that the principles of education were a transformative tool for society. During his lifetime, Radhakrishnan served on various academic boards – the Department of Philosophy at Madras Presidency College (1909), as Professor of Philosophy at Mysore University (1918) and as Professor of Philosophy at Calcutta University (1921). .
His lectures have reached the stages of Harvard University, Oxford University and Manchester College. In 1931, he was knighted by George V for services to education.
5. APJ Abdul Kalam
Former President APJ Abdul Kalam, who left such a mark on the Indian education landscape that his birthday, October 15, is celebrated as World Students’ Day, it is impossible not to remember the great educationists of our time.
The multi-hyphenate’s career saw him play the roles of a scientist, a leader, a teacher, and an engineer. But his love of learning shone through in all his other pursuits. He was so passionate about it that he returned to teaching after completing his term as the 11th President of India.
Whether it was answering students’ questions with wisdom and honesty, encouraging them to follow their dreams, or stressing the importance of being grounded, Kalam was a teacher at his core.
He always emphasized, “If you fail, never give up because FAIL means ‘first try learning’. The end is not the end; in fact, END means ‘trying never dies.’
6. Gopal Krishna Gokhale
Gokhale’s achievement as the first Indian to complete graduation is well known. The freedom fighter is not only admired for his academic prowess, but also for imparting knowledge to others.
After graduation, Gokhale moved to Pune, where he worked in a school, then at Fergusson College, where he taught history and political economy.
He is admired for his speech and mastery of English when many were not fluent in the language. He presented his views against British rule through public speeches and writings. Gokhale’s illustrious career was built on serving Indians regardless of background through schools, libraries and classes launched in 1905 under his ‘Servants of India Society’.
He was a strong advocate for the right to education and compulsory education. On 16 March 1911, he drafted a bill suggesting to the government that primary education should be provided to both girls and boys between the ages of 6 and 10.
7. Sarladevi Chaudhary
One of the most famous academics, Chaudhryrani belonged to the Tagore family; His parents were famous writers. She has been described by history as a feminist, an advocate of women’s education, a political activist and the pioneer of ‘Bharat Stree Mahamandal’, an organization promoting women’s education.
Membership was open to any woman irrespective of caste, caste or class at an entry fee of one rupee! Choudhary also opened a school for girls in Calcutta, Bharat Stree Shiksha Sadan.
Her higher education was encouraged by her family and Chaudhary was one of the few female graduates of her time. He received the Padmavati Gold Medal for his excellence. However, his abilities were not limited to academic subjects. She was also conversant in Persian, French and Sanskrit and excelled in literature, music and art from an early age.
8. Madan Mohan Malviya
A noted educationist and social reformer, Madan Mohan Malaviya believed that education was the key to economic progress. He exemplified this by promoting education and establishing institutions.
Malviya was instrumental in establishing the Banaras Hindu University (BHU), which prided itself on the traditional Indian knowledge system, where students, regardless of caste and background, could come together and learn.
After the establishment of the Banaras Hindu University, Malviya announced the establishment of a Women’s College of the University in 1929. She was firm in her determination to empower women using education as a tool and saw women as the influencers of the future generation. His efforts brought revolutionary changes in education.
9. Begum Rokeya Sakhawat Hussain
Hussain was born at a time when women’s views on education were conservative. While Hussain’s brothers were encouraged to study, Hussain and his sister were not. But despite these setbacks, she is not ready to give up just yet.
Believing that then neglected Muslim women could be empowered through education and economic independence, Hussain started a school for Muslim girls in Bhagalpur in 1909 with only five students.
When she reached Calcutta, she established the Sakhawat Memorial Girls’ School in a house in 1911 with eight students. In 1931, the school was upgraded to High English Girls School. Although aware of the backlash that awaited him, Hussain was undeterred.
She fought against obstacles to encourage Muslim girls to attend school, convincing parents that education was good for girls and even arranging for horse-drawn carriages to transport them to and from school. curtain (religious practice of screening women from strangers).
Edited by Khushi Arora