Dr ANANDI and her TIMES - X

The letter started with a conventional blessing to her brother, and her anxiety over not receiving any communication for a long time. She wanted to write in English but was a bit hesitant about whether he would like it. She could not meet him for five years, and for two more years, she intended to stay in America then. In the month of March 1886 she was supposed to graduate and be awarded the degree of 'Doctor of Medicine ', she planned to work for a year for experience and return to India. Obviously, she had to accomplish sufficient knowledge before she returned home.

She urged him to study well and write at least one letter on the 10th of every month for which she too promised to write one on the same date. She was not well for some time, food was a problem, she had to manage with jowar roti and milk. She longed to eat 'Sar ( a kind of soup ) Bhat ', alas! there was no one to cook it for her.

By the time she wrote this letter, Gopalrao reached America and they were together and very happy. Gopalrao could get some money by giving some lectures and she had a little scholarship. She too gave some speeches and earned some money, with this they could manage.

Anandibai enquired about his studies and his wife. Her brother got married some time ago, so she wanted to know more about his wife. Anandibai suggested Balasaheb learn Sanskrit and at the same time, she suggested his wife learn to read and write, stitch, and cook too. Once Marathi is acquired well, Anandibai insisted on teaching her Sanskrit and English also. She planned to teach her once she returned. Literate, educated, and cultured women make a good home and brought home happiness according to her. Women should read the books like Ramayan and Mahabharat, which acquainted them with the life of great women.

She did not want him to get married so early, but after he was married, she wanted him not to waste his life. He was advised to help our country to get rid of foreign rulers. Obviously, she never wanted him to be just one who had no thought of motherland. Anandibai herself always used to think of our nation and how can she help our people, she earnestly wanted to contribute to society by serving the motherland. Again she asked him about writing letters in English if he approved.

She enquired about Shri Dada Mate, an ayurvedic medicine practitioner, whom she wished to have knowledge of indigenous medicine from. Of course, she was not sure whether he would be willing or still had objections to her going to America to study medicine. She was wondering whether he would hate her then, but she knew that she committed no sin. It was to help the women of the country in every possible way in the health sector, with this aim, she ventured to study in America.

Her uncompromising will really make the readers emotional.

One letter dated 14/7/1886 written her mother too is available, who really longed to see her as her education was complete. She was happy that Anandibai herself wrote to her. Her mother's letter is in Marathi with the influence of the Modi script.

Her mother wished them to have a daughter who too would go to America to study,that she said, would please her, but then, she only wished to meet both of them in person as soon as possible. She expressed that she could not concentrate on anything in life, not even on eating or sleeping.

This is a touching letter by a mother who could not see her daughter for some years but knew the reason, in a way supported her and was proud of her achievements.