Today, April 11, is a very special day for all of us. It is the birth anniversary of Mahatma Jyotrao Phule, one of India’s greatest social reformers and a guiding light for generations. This year, the occasion takes on greater importance, because it coincides with the beginning of the celebrations marking the second centenary of his birth.
Mahatma Phule was a great reformer. In addition, his life was filled with moral courage, constant research, and an unwavering commitment to social good. Mahatma Phule is remembered for the institutions he built and the movements he led. At the same time, his contribution to our civilizational journey lies in the hope he aroused, the confidence he instilled, and the strength his ideas continue to give to millions of people across the nation.
Born in the great state of Maharashtra in 1827, Mahatma Phule came from humble beginnings. But his initial hardships did not stand in the way of his learning, his courage, or his commitment to society. This is a trait that has stayed with him forever: no matter what the challenges are, one should work hard, gain knowledge and mitigate those challenges rather than doing nothing about them. Since his school days, young Jyotrao had been extremely curious and had become an avid reader, often reading books far beyond what children his age were expected to handle. Years later, he said: “The more questions we ask, the more knowledge emerges from them.” It is clear that the spirit of research that he has enjoyed since his childhood has remained constant throughout his journey.
Throughout his life, learning and teaching became central to Mahatma Phule’s mission. He understood with rare clarity that knowledge is not a privilege to be protected, but a power to be shared. At a time when many were deprived of the joy of learning, he opened pioneering schools for girls and those who remained outside formal education. He used to say: “Any improvement that comes to children through mothers is of great value. Therefore, if schools are to be opened, they must be opened to girls first.” He worked to create a new social imaginary in which the classroom became an instrument of justice and equality.
His vision for education inspires us greatly. Over the past decade, we have worked to make research and innovation a cornerstone for India’s youth. Efforts are being made to create an ecosystem where young minds are encouraged to question, explore and innovate. By investing in knowledge, skills and opportunities, India is empowering its youth to become problem solvers and engines of national progress.
With his knowledge and wisdom, Mahatma Phule has developed a strong understanding of areas such as agriculture, healthcare and rural development. He has often said that injustice toward our farmers and workers weakens our society. He saw how social inequality manifested itself in everyday life, whether it was on farms or in villages. Hence, he immersed himself in ensuring dignity for the poor, the oppressed and the marginalized. At the same time, make every effort to ensure that social harmony is maintained.
Mahatma Phule said: “True freedom can only be achieved if every individual in society gets equal rights.” For this reason, he built institutions that translated this vision into action, to contribute to building a just society. The Satyashodhak Samaj movement, which he founded, was one of the most important social reform movements in modern India. She was at the forefront of social reform, community service, and the promotion of human dignity. She became an effective voice for women, youth and those living in villages. This movement reflected Mahatma Phule’s fundamental belief that society can be strengthened by placing justice, respect for every person and the spirit of collective progress at its core.
His personal life also held lessons in courage. Constant work and being around people had a great impact on his health. But even the most serious health challenges did not weaken his resolve. After suffering a debilitating stroke, he continued to work and realize his vision. Yes, his body was tested, but his commitment to the community did not give up. For millions today, especially those who draw courage from struggle, this remains one of the most powerful dimensions of his life.
No remembrance of Mahatma Phule can be complete without respectful reference to Savitribai Phule, who was herself one of our nation’s longest serving reformers. As one of India’s pioneering educators, she has played a crucial role in advancing girls’ education, thus giving them the opportunity to fulfill their dreams. After Mahatma Phule’s death, Savitribai carried that torch, and in 1897, during a plague outbreak, she served the victims so faithfully that she fell ill and lost her life.
Our Earth has been blessed, time and time again, by great men and women who have strengthened society through thought, sacrifice and action. They did not wait for change to come from elsewhere. And they became its source. Over hundreds of years in our land, the clarion call for social improvement has often come from within society itself, from those who can clearly see suffering and refuse to accept it as fate. Mahatma Jyotrao Phule was one such voice.
I fondly remember my visit to Pune in 2022, when I paid tribute to Mahatma Phule at his grand statue in the city. As we mark the beginning of the bicentenary of his birth, the most fitting tribute to Mahatma Jyotrao Phule is regeneration. Renewing our commitment to topics close to his heart, such as education. Renew our sensitivity to injustice. Renewing our belief that society can improve itself from within. His life tells us that the power of community can work miracles in India when combined with moral clarity and common purpose. That’s why it still gives strength to millions. That’s why his words and work still hold hope. That is why, nearly two hundred years after his birth, Mahatma Jyotrao Phule remains not a figure of the past, but a guide to India’s future.
