by Arun Pathak
News Desk: Savitribai Phule: From Legacy to the Present, published by Swaraj Prakashan, was launched at the World Book Fair, drawing wide attention from writers, scholars and readers.
Edited and curated by noted Dalit writer Anita Bharti, the anthology traces the life, struggles and enduring legacy of Savitribai Phule, India’s first woman teacher and a pioneering poet. The volume brings together Savitribai Phule’s own poems alongside works by 73 contemporary poets from across the country, making it a rare intergenerational literary tribute.
The launch ceremony featured eminent guests including social activist and folk singer Meena Singh (Delhi), senior Hindi writer Geetashri, and poet-critic Musafir Baitha. Folk performances on Savitribai Phule by Meena Singh and Renu Singh set a stirring tone for the evening.
Speaking on the occasion, Geetashri underlined Savitribai Phule’s transformative role in women’s education and called for her inclusion in school curricula. Musafir Baitha hailed the anthology as “a book for our times,” while poet Rakesh Patel recited his poem from the collection.
Concluding the event, Anita Bharti said the book is part of a continuing struggle to secure due national recognition for Savitribai Phule, including the Bharat Ratna and an international university in her name. The launch was attended by a large gathering of social activists, intellectuals, writers and students, marking the book as a significant literary milestone.
