Pandita Ramabai was a social reformer and activist in India. She was born as Brahmin Hindu and being well learned in the languages and Hindu texts was conferred the title 'Pandita' by the distinguished educators of Calcutta University in 1878. She started Arya Mahila Samaj,which is Sanskrit for "Noble Women's
Society.” The society purposed to work for the deliverance of Indian
women from the oppression of child marriage. Bursting with zeal for her
cause, Ramabai labored for both their spiritual and physical betterment. Ramabai was also a poet and scholar. In order to learn more about the
education of women and receive training for her lifelong battle to help
unshackle the women in India, she visited most parts of India, and even went to Britain (1883) and the United States of America. She also translated textbooks and gave lectures throughout the United States and Canada. The High Caste Hindu Woman, the book which she wrote and published, which, according to her beliefs,
"showed" the darkest aspects of the life of Hindu women, including child
brides and child widows, sought to expose the oppression of women in
Hindu-dominated British.
In 1889, Ramabai established the Mukti Mission in Pune, as a refuge and a
Gospel witness for young widows deserted and abused by their families;
she also established Krupa Sadan, a home for "fallen” women, who had
been cast out of society due to their moral failures. Ramabai also
started Sharda Sadan, which also provided housing, education,
vocational training and medical services for many needy groups including
widows, orphans and the blind. In Sanskrit and most Indian languages
Mukti means liberation.In her spotless widow's white, Ramabai most often
arose before 4:00 A.M. and worked until half past eight at night. By
1900 there were 1,500 residents and over a hundred cattle in the Mukti
mission and she was also involved in establishing a Church at Mukti. The Pandita Ramabai Mukti Mission is still active today, providing housing, education, vocational
training, and medical services, for many needy groups including widows,
orphans, and the blind.
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