19th century social reformer Savitribai Phule
Stating that social reformer Savitribai Phule's work towards women empowerment can become a guiding factor for today's generation, Maharashtra Finance minister Sudhir Mungantiwar today announced that her memorial will be built in the premises of Savitribai Phule Pune University.
"The pains taken by Jyotirao Phule and Savitribai Phule to educate their society can become a source of inspiration for today's generation. Trusting the thoughts of Jyotirao can definitely take our country forward," Mr Mungantiwar said.
"We will build a befitting memorial for Savitribai in the varsity campus," Mr Mungantiwar said.
He was speaking at a function organised to commemorate one year since Pune University was renamed as Savitribai Phule Pune University.
Mr Mungantiwar said that he considers himself fortunate that he got a chance to contribute towards renaming University of Pune after late social reformer Savitribai among the issues taken up by him as a legislature in the past 20 years.
"During the winter session of 2014 of the state Legislature in Nagpur, descendants of Jyotirao Phule and Savitribai Phule were sitting on a hunger strike to press the government to agree to their demands.
"I had met them then and listened to what they had to say. It pained me to see that the descendants of a reformer were living in a bad state," the minister said.
Mr Mungantiwar further said that his efforts led to a faster renovation work of 'Bhide Wada', where Savitribai first started a women's school.
Savitribai and Jyotirao Phule had founded the first women's school at Bhide Wada in Pune in 1848.
"I tried hard to ensure that Jyotirao's descendants got government jobs. It is hard to describe the satisfaction I got as a legislator after doing all these works," Mr Mungantiwar added.