Pandita Ramabai Sarasvati – Educating the Child-widow of India

This is brief account of the life and work of Pandita Ramaabai Sarasvati [1858-1922], an “Indian social reformer, a champion for the emancipation of women, and a pioneer in education”.

Clementina Butler [1820-1913], Pandita Ramaabai Sarasvati. Pioneer in the Movement for the Education of the Child-widow of India. New York: Fleming H. Revell Company, 1922. Hbk. pp.96. [Download complete book in PDF]

Contents

Introduction

1. Ramabai’s Vision
2. Thus Saith the Law!
3. Home Touches
4. Life Stories
5. Scholar, Saint and Servant
   

List of Officers of American Ramabai Association

Introduction

A widow without resources, a Hindu widow burdened with the handicap of religious fanaticism and superstition which weighed down any aspirations for betterment, and hedged about in all avenues of effort, and yet a valiant spirit which, recognizing a vision and a command, went forth for its fulfillment. This was Pandita Ramabai, the courageous soul who first saw the crying need of the child-widow, who realized the economic loss to the nation of setting apart a great class by ostracism to enforced inaction; the one who realized the right of the child to live, to work, and to have development of her powers in spite of the supposed curse of the gods upon her life.

It was in 1886 that this little woman, coming unknown and unsupported save by her own strength of conviction, landed on these shores and made her appeal for the child-widow of India. Modern, bustling America hardly knew that such a class existed, and the missionary folk who did know were not fully aware of the weight upon the girl-child heart of feeling condemnation because of the belief that the curse of the gods was the cause of the death of the boy or man to whom she was betrothed.  [Continue reading]