The year was 1860. On a bright sunny morning in Pune, a young girl set out. The path she took every day was never an easy one. Actually, her life was not easy. People threw stones at her, and mud at her saree. Though she had gotten used to it now. She carried an extra saree in her bag. That morning however, was different. The narrow streets were quiet and unsettling. Suddenly she saw a strange glow in the distance. She could have continued to her destination, but she was nothing if not for her quest for knowledge, and her life threatening curiosity. So she stepped closer to it, and closer and closer. As she got closer, the light expanded too, and it swallowed her whole.
Everything went dark. When she opened her eyes, she hoped to be on her cot. But no, she opened her eyes to see what seemed to be a nightmare. As her vision cleared, she saw buildings that seemed to rise beyond the sky. The world around her moved quick. Many dashed into her, but didn’t stop. Where are all these people hurrying to? She wondered to herself. She walked with no end in sight, but stopped when she finally found a place close to home. A school. A huge school. With a bold banner at the gate that read ‘Happy Women’s Day.’ She liked the sound of that. She looked up, staring in awe, when she felt a pat on her shoulder. She turned to see three girls dressed in uniforms. She smiled and said, “Yes?” “Uhm, You look like Savitribai Phule,” said the girl, and pointed to a statue. “I am Savitribai Phule,” she said with a smile.
The three girls laughed. One of them said, “You mean you’re cosplaying Savitribai Phule, for Women’s Day right?” and she rolled her eyes. “Or I’m actually just her?” said Savitri. “Right right, we’ll play along,” said the girl and rolled her eyes again. “Well, Savitribai Phule, welcome to 2026.” 2026? screamt Savitribai Phule but in her mind, this definitely had to be a dream. So Savitribai replied, “Yes thank you dear. Can you tell me, what exactly does this banner mean? Women’s Day?” “Well as the name suggests, today’s the day we celebrate women all over. Though I personally hate it,” replied one of the girls. Savitribai frowned and asked “Why so?” The girl asked in a rhetorical tone, “Shouldn’t we celebrate women everyday?” Savitribai’s eyes lit up and she laughed “Yes I agree……Does every girl go to school like you?” The girls hesitated and slowly, one girl said with a sigh, “Well…..not everyone. I mean, yes, we have a lot more rights, and we are recognised and appreciated for the most part. Well atleast more than before but not every girl has the same story. Many are still not allowed to study, and too many are forcefully married too young.” Savitribai let that soak in for a moment, and then she said, “Well that just means work is in progress right? So tell me, what are you girls doing to help the others?” When Savitri saw all three girls look away, seemingly having no answer. She abruptly said, “Take me to a place where I can speak to a lot of girls.” Now that, the girls could do.
The girls guided Savitribai inside the school and to the auditorium, where there was a Women’s Day programme going on. They simply told the teacher incharge, that a lady dressed as Savitribai Phule wanted to give a speech, and that was that. Savitribai took centre stage. One of the girls handed her a microphone and said, “Speak into this, it will help them hear you much louder.” Savitri didn’t question. She spoke into the microphone. “I cannot put into words the overwhelming joy I feel, looking at so many young girls in the audience today. This is everything I have worked for, but what are you girls working for? There’s a girl out there right now, same age as you, taking vows she can’t even begin to fathom. You. Each and every one of you, can help her.” A girl in the audience raised her hand and asked “How?” Savitribai smiled and replied “Educate! Knowledge is how I began our journey because, knowledge is like a strange glowing light in the distance. When it consumes us it takes us to a much, much better place. Trust me I know. So I say to you today, go out there! Start missions, make the changes not just for yourself, but for every girl. The world is a much better place than it was for me. We don’t want better, when we, deserve the best. The crowd went silent.
As Savitribai stepped out of the school and into the crowded streets again, she saw the glowing light. Stepping into it, she was back where she was supposed to be. Playing her part for women. Though it seemed like an endless battle for her, she now took comfort in knowing, the future she thought impossible, was possible and a whole lot more. What better gift could one recieve on Women’s Day thought she, as she washed the mud off of her saree.
Pic credit- Pinterest, Ash!
