Savita Ambedkar

Savita Bhimrao Ambedkar (née Kabir; 27 January 1909 – 29 May 2003), was an Indian social activist, doctor and the second wife of Babasaheb Ambedkar, the father of the Indian Constitution. Ambedkarites and Buddhists refer to her as Mai or Maisaheb, which stands for 'Mother' in Marathi language.[1][2]

Savita Ambedkar
Savita Bhimrao Ambedkar
Born
Sharada Krishnarao Kabir

(1909-01-27)27 January 1909
Dadar, Bombay Presidency, British India
(now in Maharashtra, India)
Died29 May 2003(2003-05-29) (aged 94)
Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
NationalityIndian
Other namesMai (mother), Maisaheb Ambedkar
EducationMBBS
Alma materGrant Medical College, Mumbai, Maharashtra
Occupationsocial activist, doctor
Known forSocial activism
Notable work
Dr. Ambedkaranchya Sahawasat
MovementDalit Buddhist movement
Spouse(s)B. R. Ambedkar
(m. 1948 - d. 1956)
RelativesSee Ambedkar family

In B. R. Ambedkar's various movements, during the writing of the books, Indian Constitution and Hindu code bills and Buddhist mass conversion, she helped him from time to time. Babasaheb Ambedkar credited her in preface of his book The Buddha and His Dhamma for extending his life for eight-ten years.[3][4][5]

Early life and education

Savita Ambedkar was born on 27 January 1909 in Bombay in a Marathi Brahmin family. Her birth name was "Sharada Kabir". Her mother's name was Janaki and father name was Krishnarao Vinayak Kabir. Her family were a resident of Doors village, located in Rajapur tehsil of Ratnagiri district, Maharashtra. Later, her father came from Ratnagiri to Bombay. On the Sir Rao Bahadur C. K. Bole Road, near the pigeon in the west of Dadar The Kabir family had rented a house in Sahru's house in Matruchaya.[6][7][8]

Savita Ambedkar was a brilliant student. Her early education was completed in Pune. After that, around 1937 she did MBBS from Grant Medical College, Bombay. When her studies were completed, she was appointed as the first class medical officer in a major hospital in Gujarat. But after a few months of illness, she left her job and returned home. Her six of eight siblings had inter-caste marriages. Those days it was an extraordinary thing for Marathi Brahmin. Savita said, "Our family did not oppose inter-caste marriages, because the whole family was educated and progressive."[9][6]

Career and meeting with Ambedkar
Maisaheb and Babasaheb

At Bombay's Vile Parle, lived a doctor named S.M. Rao who had close links with B. R. Ambedkar. When Ambedkar came from Delhi to Bombay, he often used to visit the doctor. Sharda Kabir also used to visit Dr. Rao's house as she had a family relation with him. One day Babasaheb Ambedkar had come from Delhi and Dr. Sharada Kabir was also present at that time. Dr. Rao formalised his identity by saying, "This girl of my daughters friend is very clever, while being MBBS, Dr. Malavankar is working as a junior for a well-known doctor .... etc." Babasaheb was then the Labor Minister in the Viceroy's Executive Council. Until that time Dr. Sharda did not know much about Dr. Ambedkar, except that he is in Viceroy Council member. Dr. Sharada was impressed with Dr. Ambedkar's stunning personality. In his first meeting, she realised that Dr. Ambedkar was an extraordinary and great figure, In this first meeting, Ambedkar inquired about Kabir with apathy. The reason for this was that they were working on the advancement of women. Ambedkar congratulated them. There was also discussion about Buddhism in this meeting.[7][10]

His second meeting took place in the Advice Room of Dr. Mavalankar. Ambedkar had blood pressure, blood sugar and joint pain at that time. In 1947, during the writing of the Indian Constitution, Bhimrao Ambedkar got health related problems due to diabetes and high blood pressure. He did not sleep. having neuropathic pain in the legs, Insulin and some homoeopathic medicines could provide relief to some extent. He went to Bombay for treatment. At the same time, Dr. Sharada came closer to Ambedkar during treatment. Ambedkar's first wife, Ramabai Ambedkar, died in 1935 after a long illness. In this way, the rounds of meetings continued. Later correspondence also happened. And Ambedkar had a good life. There was talk of literature, society, religion etc. Sometimes they also debated. Ambedkar used to listen to Savita's arguments carefully and then respond. In 1947, Ambedkar started worrying about his health. There must be someone to take care of their health. In a letter to Dadasaheb Gaikwad on 16 March 1948, Ambedkar wrote, "To keep a woman nurse or to take care of the house for service, there will be doubts in people's mind, so marriage is a better way." After the death of Yashwant's mother (Ramabai), I had decided not to marry, but in today's situation, I will have to give up my decision." Ambedkar took medical service from doctor Sharda Kabir for nature reasons. And both of them decided to get married.[11][12]

Marriage
B.R. Ambedkar and Savita Ambedkar in 1948

On 15 April 1948 Sharda Kabir married Bhimrao Ambedkar. She was 39 and he was 57. After their marriage, she was popularly called "Mai" (mother) by his followers. As registrar for marriage, Rameshwar Dayal, Deputy Commissioner, was called in Delhi. This marriage was completed as a Civil Marriage under the Civil Marriage Act. Among those who attended this occasion were Rai Sahab Puran Chand, Mr Macy (Private Secretary), Neelkanth, Ramkrishna Chandiwala, Estate Officer Meshram, nephew of Chitre, his wife, Sharda Kabir's brother. Also Home Secretary Banerjee On 28 November 1948, the newly married couple, the then governor-general of India, C. Rajagopalachari, invited them for the Sneh Bhoj and greeted them. After marriage Sharda adopted the name 'Savita'. But Ambedkar used to call her "Shārū" in old name, which was a word of "Shāradā".[13][14]

After marriage, Savita started serving husband. Ambedkar's health was steadily getting worse. She continued her care with full devotion till the last of Ambedkar's service. Ambedkar mentioned the help he received from wife in a book written on 15 March 1956, in a book The Buddha and His Dhamma. In this preface, he mentioned that Savita Ambedkar increased his age by 8–10 years. After Ambedkar's death, his close friends and followers removed this role from this book. Its address dates back to 1980 AD. When the Bengali Buddhist author Bhagwan Das published his preface as a "rare preface".[15]

Conversion to Buddhism
See also: Dalit Buddhist movement and Navayana
Babasaheb with Mai, holding a statue of the Buddha, during the Dhamma Diksha ceremony in Nagpur on 14 October 1956
Ambedkar receiving the Five Precepts from Mahasthavir Chandramani on 14 October 1956. In the photograph (from right to left): Savita Ambedkar, B. R. Ambedkar, Wali Sinha and bhikkhu Chandramani.

On Ashok Vijaya Dashami (The Day on which Buddhism was accepted by Emperor Ashoka the Great) 14 October 1956, Savita Ambedkar accepted Buddhism along with her husband Bhimrao Ambedkar in Deekshabhoomi, Nagpur. She was given the initiation of Buddha's Dhamma by the Burmese Bhikkhu Mahastavir Chandramani giving Three Jewels and Five precepts. After this, B. R. Ambedkar himself initiated Buddhism by giving 500,000 followers of Three Jewels, Five precepts and twenty-two pledges. This oath took place at 9 a.m.. Savita Ambedkar became the first woman to accept Buddhism of this conversion movement.[11][4]

Allegations and contradictions

Many People from Delhi came to meet B. R. Ambedkar at 26, Alipur Road, where Ambedkar was in residence. It wasn't possible that everyone should get a glimpse Ambedkar as he was sick. While on Savita Ambedkar was besides as wife and his doctor she had dual responsibilities.[16]

After the death of Babasaheb Ambedkar, some Ambedkarites blamed Savita Ambedkar for killing him. She separated from the Ambedkarite movement by describing her as a Brahmin. She took herself up to his farmhouse in Mehrauli in Delhi. Till 1972, she was living in Delhi. The then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru formed a committee to investigate the matter, and that committee released her from the charges after the investigation.[7][17]

After the demise of Babasaheb, PM Jawaharlal Nehru, PM Indira Gandhi and President Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan decided to take Maisaheb to Rajya Sabha. With the support of the Congress party, she was going to be a member of the Rajya Sabha, but she would have betrayed the husband's principle, so she humbly refused the proposals thrice.[18]

Repatriation with the Dalit movement
Ambedkar with Arun Kamble,

Republican Party of India leader Ramdas Athavale and Gangadhar Gade brought her back to the mainstream Ambedkarite movement. The young activists of Dalit Panthers movement treated Mai with respect. She played an important role in the movement about the book "Riddles in Hinduism". Her role earned her respect and got rid of the misunderstanding of dalits.[18] Later on, she was separated from him as she grew older. Babasaheb Ambedkar was given the 'Bharat Ratna', the highest civilian award, it was accepted by Savita Ambedkar honoured by the then President Ramaswamy Venkataraman on 14 April 1990. It was his legendary birth anniversary. This award ceremony was held at the Darbar Hall / Ashok Hall of Rashtrapati Bhavan.[19]

Death

Savita Ambedkar became lonely after her husband's death. Later, she rejoined the Dalit movement for some time. On 19 April 2003, she suffered difficulties in breathing, and was admitted to J.J. Hospital. She died on 29 May 2003 at the age of 94 at J.J. Hospital in Mumbai.[20][8]

Writings

She wrote a memorable and autobiographical Marathi book titled "Dr. Ambedkaranchya Sahwasat" (English: In companionship with Dr. Ambedkar). She also contributed to Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar film. Mrinal Kulkarni played the role of her in this film.[21]

Legacy
  • Dr. Savita Ambedkar Inter-Caste Marriage encouragement Scheme[22]
Notable person's statement about Savita Ambedkar.
  • Indian President A. P. J. Abdul Kalam said "Ms. Ambedkar symbolised the virtues of dedication and sacrifice and was able to work for the uplift of the downtrodden while being at the side of the late Babasaheb Ambedkar."[20]
  • The Prime Minister, Atal Behari Vajpayee said "Savitaji was the principal source of inspiration to a legendary personality like Babasaheb, who played a pivotal role in framing the Constitution of our country. She was a great social worker in her own right and remained dedicated to the task of upliftment of the weaker sections of society.""[20]
  • Congress leader, Sonia Gandhi, said "The presence and guidance of Mai, as she was fondly called, will be dearly missed by all.""[20]
  • The Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment, Satyanarayan Jatiya said: "Dr. Savita Ambedkar has served Babasaheb with great dedication. Her sacrifice would be remembered for long and serve as an inspiration for future generations.""[20]
  • The Chief Minister of Maharashtra Sushil Kumar Shinde, said "she [Savita] had accorded more importance to social movements than to wielding power.""[20]
  • Gopinath Munde said that "Savita ji was an example of supreme sacrifice and continued the mission of her late husband till her death.""[20]

Books on Savita Ambedkar
  • Babasahebanchi Sawali: Dr. Savita Ambedkar (Maisaheb) (Babasaheb's shadow: Dr. Savita Ambedkar (Maisaheb)) – Prof. Kirtilata Rambhau Petkar, 2016
  • Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkaranchya Sawlicha Sangharsh (The struggle of the shadow of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar) — Vijay Sukhdeve
  • Dr. Maisaheb Ambedkaranchya Sahwasat (In contact with Dr. Maisaheb Ambedkar) — Vaishali Bhalerao[23]
  • Dr. Maisaheb Ambedkar – Walmika Ahire
  • Great Self-Sacrifice of Maisaheb Ambedkar – Prof. P. V. Sukhadeve
  • Maisahebanche Agnidivya – Prof. P. V. Sukhadeve
  • Maisaheb: Charitra ani Karya (Maisaheb: Biography and Work)
  • Mahamanvachi Sanjivani (Sanjeevani of the Great Man)

See also

References
  1. "बाबासाहेबांना औरंगाबादचे नाव ठेवायचे होते पुष्‍पनगर पाहा...मिलिंद कॉलेेजातील अनमोल ठेवा". divyamarathi (in Marathi). Retrieved 13 November 2018.
  2. "The Woman Behind Dr. Ambedkar - Why Are Our Women Denied Their Rightful Place In History?". Women's Web: For Women Who Do. 22 May 2018. Retrieved 13 November 2018.
  3. Pritchett, Frances. "00_pref_unpub". Columbia.edu. Retrieved 13 November 2018.
  4. "उपोद्घाताची कथा." Loksatta (in Marathi). 3 December 2017. Retrieved 13 November 2018.
  5. "PM expresses grief over death of Savita Ambedkar". The Times of India. Retrieved 13 November 2018.
  6. Verma, Lokesh. "जानिये, बाबा साहेब अंबेडकर के दूसरे विवाह पर क्यों फैली थी नाराजगी". Rajasthan Patrika (in Hindi). Retrieved 15 April 2019.
  7. "डॉ. सविता भीमराव आंबेडकर, जिनके लिए आंबेडकर से महत्वपूर्ण कुछ भी न था". फॉरवर्ड प्रेस (in Hindi). 21 June 2018. Retrieved 13 November 2018.
  8. PTI (29 May 2003). "B R Ambedkar's widow passes away". The Times of India. Retrieved 13 November 2018.
  9. Sukhadeve, P. V. Maaisahebanche Agnidivya (in Marathi). Kaushaly Prakashan. p. 17.
  10. Sukhadeve, P. V. Maaisahebanche Agnidivya (in Marathi). Kaushaly Prakashan. pp. 17–18.
  11. "डॉ. आंबेडकरांचा बौद्ध धम्म". divyamarathi (in Marathi). Retrieved 13 November 2018.
  12. Sukhadeve, P. V. Maaisahebanche Agnidivya (in Marathi). Kaushaly Prakashan. p. 19.
  13. "जानिये, बाबा साहेब अंबेडकर के दूसरे विवाह पर क्यों फैली थी नाराजगी". www.patrika.com (in Hindi). Retrieved 13 November 2018.
  14. Sukhadeve, P. V. Maaisahebanche Agnidivya (in Marathi). Kaushaly Prakashan. p. 30.
  15. Sukhadeve, P. V. Maaisahebanche Agnidivya (in Marathi). Kaushaly Prakashan. p. 33.
  16. Sukhadeve, P. V. Maaisahebanche Agnidivya (in Marathi). Kaushaly Prakashan. p. 57.
  17. "उपोद्घाताची कथा." Loksatta.com. 3 December 2017. Retrieved 13 November 2018.
  18. "Maisahebanche Aswattha Jeevan". Sanchar - Indradhanoo (p. 5). 15 April 2018.
  19. Sukhadeve, P. V. Maaisahebanche Agnidivya (in Marathi). Kaushaly Prakashan. p. 50.
  20. "The Hindu : President, PM condole Savita Ambedkar's death". The Hindu. 30 May 2003. Retrieved 13 November 2018.
  21. "बाबासाहेब कोलकात्‍याहून विमानाने मागवत मासळीचे पार्सल, हे मांसाहारी पदार्थ आवडायचे". divyamarathi (in Marathi). Retrieved 13 November 2018.
  22. Empowerment, Department of Social Justice and. "BCK-54 : Financial Assistance – Dr.Savita Ambedkar Inter-Caste Marriage encouragement Scheme. | Health, housing construction and other | Schemes | નિયામક, અનુસૂચિત જાતિ કલ્યાણ". sje.gujarat.gov.in (in Gujarati). Retrieved 13 November 2018.
  23. "डॉ. माईसाहेब आंबेडकरांच्या सहवासात-Dr. Maisaheb Ambedkaranchya Sahavasat by Vaishali Bhalerao - Vinimay Publications - BookGanga.com". Bookganga.com. Retrieved 13 November 2018.
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