There are many such names in the history of India who changed the thinking of the times. One such name is Anandibai Gopalrao Joshi. She became the first female doctor in India, at a time when even girls’ education was questioned. Today, when medical education seems normal, in the 19th century a girl going to America and becoming a doctor was no less than a miracle.
Anandibai was born on 31 March 1865 in Pune, Maharashtra. His life was not easy since childhood. She got married to Gopalrao Joshi at a young age. But Gopalrao was not a person of common thinking. He wanted his wife to get educated and move ahead. According to reports, when Anandibai was only 14 years old, she lost her newborn child due to lack of proper treatment. This incident became the biggest turning point in his life. At that time, women doctors were almost non-existent. This pain created a strong determination in his mind to become a doctor, so that no other mother loses her child due to lack of treatment.
Big decision amid opposition from society
At that time, going abroad, that too for a woman, was not at all acceptable to the society. People taunted and made statements, but Anandibai and her husband remained firm on their decision. Gopalrao wrote a letter to an American missionary Royal Wilder asking for help regarding Anandibai’s education. This letter was read by an American woman, Theodosia Carpenter, and she was so impressed by the story that she made arrangements for Anandibai to stay in America.
Indian daughter on American soil
In the year 1883, despite weak health, Anandibai left for America. She enrolled in the Women’s Medical College of Pennsylvania. Studying there was not easy. Language, weather, food, everything was different. Still he did not give up. In the year 1886, at the age of just 19, Anandibai obtained the MD degree. She became the first Indian woman to obtain a degree in Western medicine.
Speech given on the need of female doctors in India
Before leaving for America, Anandibai gave a speech at Serampore College. In this speech he told how much there is a need for women doctors in India. People were so impressed by his speech that financial help started coming from all over the country for his studies.
How much salary did you get then?
When Anandibai returned to India after becoming a doctor, she was given the responsibility of the women’s ward in a hospital in Kolhapur. At that time his salary was said to be around Rs 100 per month. This amount may seem small today, but it was a respectable salary at that time.
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