22 years life.......... Remembering Anandi Gopal Joshi (March 31, 1865 - February 26, 1887) was the first Indian woman to obtain a degree in Western medicine. (Kadambini Ganguly earned a medical degree the same year, 1886, after Anandibai.) She was also the first Hindu woman to do so, and is also believed to be the first Hindu woman to set foot on American soil. Anandibai was born as Yamuna in Pune (Maharashtra) in an orthodox wealthy Brahmin family. At age 9, she was married by her family to Gopalrao Joshi, who was a widower almost twenty years her senior. After the marriage, her husband renamed Yamuna to Anandi. Gopalrao worked as a postal clerk in Kalyan. Later, he was transferred to Alibag, and finally to Calcutta. He was a progressive thinker, and supported the education of women, which was not very prevalent in India at the time. It was common for Brahmins in those times to be proficient in Sanskrit; however, influenced by Lokhitawadis Shat Patre, Gopalrao regarded learning English well as more important than Sanskrit. Noticing Anandibais interest, he helped her receive education and learn English. At age of 14, Anandibai gave birth to a boy. But the child survived only ten days because the necessary medical care was unavailable. This situation proved a turning point in Anandibais life, and inspired her to become a physician. Gopalrao encouraged his wife to study medicine. In 1880, he sent a letter to Royal Wilder, a well-known American missionary, stating Anandibais interest in studying medicine in the United States, and inquiring about a suitable post in the U.S. for himself. Wilder offered to help if the couple would convert to Christianity. This proposition, however, was not acceptable to the Joshi couple. Wilder published the correspondence in his publication, Princetons Missionary Review. Theodicia Carpenter, a resident of Roselle, New Jersey, happened to read it while waiting to see her dentist. Anandibais desire to learn medicine and Gopalraos support for his wife impressed her, and she wrote to them, offering Anandibai accommodation in America. An exchange of many letters between Anandibai and Theodicia ensued, in which they discussed, among other things, Hindu culture and religion. While the Joshi couple was in Calcutta, Anandibais health was declining. She suffered from weakness, constant headaches, occasional fever, and, sometimes, breathlessness. Theodicia sent her medicines from America, without results. In 1883, Gopalrao was transferred to Serampore, and at that time, he decided to send Anandibai by herself to America for her medical studies despite her poor health. She was apprehensive, but Gopalrao convinced her to set an example for other women by pursuing higher education. A physician couple named Thorborn suggested to Anandibai to apply to the Womens Medical College of Pennsylvania. On learning of Anandibais plans to pursue higher education in a Western country, the then orthodox Hindu society very strongly censured her. Many Christians supported her decision, but they wanted her to convert to Christianity. Anandibai addressed the community at Serampore College Hall, explaining her decision to go to America and obtain a medical degree. She discussed the persecution she and her husband had endured. She stressed the need for Hindu female doctors in India, and talked about her goal of opening a medical college for women in India. She also pledged that she would not convert to Christianity. Her speech received publicity, and financial contributions started coming in from all over India. The then Viceroy of India contributed 200 rupees to a fund for her education. Anandibai traveled to New York from Calcutta by ship, chaperoned by two English female acquaintances of the Thorborns. In New York, Theodicia Carpenter received her in June 1883. Anandibai wrote to the Womens Medical College of Pennsylvania, asking to be admitted to their medical program, (which was the first womens medical program in the world). Rachel Bodley, the dean of the college, enrolled her. Anandibai began her medical education at age 19. In America, her declining health worsened because of the cold weather and unfamiliar diet. She contracted tuberculosis. Nevertheless, she graduated with an M.D. on March 11, 1886, the topic of her thesis having been Obstetrics among the Aryan Hindoos. On her graduation, Queen Victoria sent her a congratulatory message. In late 1886, Anandibai return to India, receiving a heros welcome. The princely state of Kolhapur appointed her as the physician-in-charge of the female ward of the local Albert Edward Hospital. Anandibai died early next year on February 26, 1887 before reaching age 22. Her death was mourned throughout India. Her ashes were sent to Theodicia Carpenter, who placed them in her family cemetery in Poughkeepsie, New York. Source: Wikipedia
Posted on: Sun, 30 Mar 2014 10:12:49 +0000
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