There was a once a flower man . He grew flowers and sold them . His skill became so famous that his family’s surname changed to Phule (meaning flower ) . He belonged to the lower caste so he had no opportunity to formal education . However his Grandson could go to school as the British Colonisation of India brought in schools that gave the lower caste and the marginalised an opportunity to study . Once the grandson attended a wedding at his friend’s house and participated in the rituals. He was later rebuked and humiliated by the friend’s parents reminding him of his lower caste .
This was a life changing event for Jyotirao Phule . This experience of oppression awakened in him the urge to fight for any kind of discrimination and oppression. He became a pioneer in women’s education by helping his wife get educated . Together they constructed schools for girls and safe houses for widows. They also fought widow remarriage and prevention of infanticide. They enlightened the masses by starting the “Satyashodhak Samaj” ( meaning the truth seekers) . They relentlessly worked for the betterment of society and raising voice against social evils.
Every morning on my work commute I see statue of Mahatama Jyotiba Phule ( affectionately named so by his followers ) and wonder how dearly he fought for his principles and the reason I am writing here and have an education and a voice is due the efforts of great humans like Jyotiba and Savitiri bai Phule.
The grandson of a flower man brought in so much reform and hope to the oppressed . Like the fragrance of flowers the beauty and power of his work and life shall live on and travel far and wide . We the educated women and the oppressed who are change makers are the legacy of the grandson of not a King or Emperor but of a humble flower man.
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