Dr. ANANDI and her TIMES - III
Anandi Gopal from unpublished sources - This book was published in 1997 by Bharatiya Itihas Sankalan Samiti. The Samiti collected more than 100 letters written by Dr Anandi mainly to her husband Shri Gopalrao, her brother, eminent personalities like Pandita Ramabai, Mrs Carpenter who was first to respond positively to the appeal made by Anandibai for support, her friends, and the Dewan of Kolhapur.
NewsBharati 23-May-2023 15:12:29 PM
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The next in line is a letter written from Philadelphia probably on 22/10/1883 by Anandibai to Shri Gopalrao. It is in Marathi and probably a postcard. The maiden name Yamuna is used to end the letter.
She did not receive any communication from him for a long time, which made her a little concerned, but she too was and not well. She did not get sufficient time as she had to work a lot on the academic front. She never wanted to neglect her studies, on the other hand, she felt that she had to invest a lot of time in cooking her type of food. As a solution to the problem, she was thinking of shifting to boarding.
Probably the college dean was curious to know more about Shri Gopalrao. His photograph by that time reached America, she found his appearance to be a little dry. So was worried about his health. She reported that her weight was 118 pounds. She said that she was fearless, so he need not be stressed. Anandibai had faith in God and believed that he was there to protect her in every sense.
The letter dated 3/11/1883 reflects an aspect of her personality. She wanted him to send reports on smallpox and the books also or any other material available on the disease in India. Requested to send ayurvedic medicines also, the only condition was the names ought to be mentioned in local language and English too. It was to make a comparative study but wanted to know more about the ayurvedic medicine.
A pair of chappals too was required. Probably there used to be someone traveling to America often, thus the required things could be sent.
Gopalrao's response is not available but Anandibai's letter after that is available. It reflected the happiness of receiving the answer, the date is 16/11/1883. Then too it was an extremely busy phase and sparing time to read the letter immediately was difficult. She was so engrossed, could not think of anything other than the academic work.
She certainly wanted to have information about anything that is published about her, so requested him to dispatch it for her information, the list of things needed was often sent. (Living like a Hindu woman in a foreign country came with many riders. )
Again in the next letter the topic of photographs arrived, and she suggested sending two copies of his photograph.
Her fluency in English and even the correct pronunciation and expressions were appreciated, it surprised all. Mrs. Carpenter felt that she was a blessed person, but Anandibai knew well that Gopalrao had the credit. He helped and motivated her to master the language.
Her feeling of pride and happiness can be sensed. Repeatedly she stated that all people around her respected her and always treated with great affection, this did not make her feel that she is in a foreign country.
The reference to her knowledge and fluency in English appeared first time in this letter, but if one reads her first public address in English, one is definitely amazed at her expression and courage. Some of her correspondence in English too leaves one awestruck. Even today very few can speak or draft with such ease and precision.
She did not receive any communication from him for a long time, which made her a little concerned, but she too was and not well. She did not get sufficient time as she had to work a lot on the academic front. She never wanted to neglect her studies, on the other hand, she felt that she had to invest a lot of time in cooking her type of food. As a solution to the problem, she was thinking of shifting to boarding.
She was aware of the famine in India then, so wanted to know more about the situation prevailing in the country, thus requested him to send some information.
Probably the college dean was curious to know more about Shri Gopalrao. His photograph by that time reached America, she found his appearance to be a little dry. So was worried about his health. She reported that her weight was 118 pounds. She said that she was fearless, so he need not be stressed. Anandibai had faith in God and believed that he was there to protect her in every sense.
The letter dated 3/11/1883 reflects an aspect of her personality. She wanted him to send reports on smallpox and the books also or any other material available on the disease in India. Requested to send ayurvedic medicines also, the only condition was the names ought to be mentioned in local language and English too. It was to make a comparative study but wanted to know more about the ayurvedic medicine.
A pair of chappals too was required. Probably there used to be someone traveling to America often, thus the required things could be sent.
Gopalrao's response is not available but Anandibai's letter after that is available. It reflected the happiness of receiving the answer, the date is 16/11/1883. Then too it was an extremely busy phase and sparing time to read the letter immediately was difficult. She was so engrossed, could not think of anything other than the academic work.
She certainly wanted to have information about anything that is published about her, so requested him to dispatch it for her information, the list of things needed was often sent. (Living like a Hindu woman in a foreign country came with many riders. )
Again in the next letter the topic of photographs arrived, and she suggested sending two copies of his photograph.
Her fluency in English and even the correct pronunciation and expressions were appreciated, it surprised all. Mrs. Carpenter felt that she was a blessed person, but Anandibai knew well that Gopalrao had the credit. He helped and motivated her to master the language.
Her feeling of pride and happiness can be sensed. Repeatedly she stated that all people around her respected her and always treated with great affection, this did not make her feel that she is in a foreign country.
The reference to her knowledge and fluency in English appeared first time in this letter, but if one reads her first public address in English, one is definitely amazed at her expression and courage. Some of her correspondence in English too leaves one awestruck. Even today very few can speak or draft with such ease and precision.
Prof. Vidya Deshpande
Professor Vidya Deshpande has had a journey of more than four decades in the field of education. Her main expertise is in the subject of Philosophy, and she has worked as a teacher of philosophy and logic with Nowrosjee Wadia college for 36 years. She has been associated with the Janakalyan Blood bank for last for 38 years and has also carried out the responsibility as a management committee member of Karve Stree Shikshan Sanstha for 10 years. Her special fields of interest are Philosophy of social sciences, school education, development of skills for self reliance, and top up skills to make students profession ready,