Latest news with #Phules
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- General
- Hindustan Times
School ready to admit students in Phule's ancestral village of Khanavdi
The school named after Jyotirao and Savitribai Phule in Khanavdi village of Purandar tehsil, where the social reformer couple hailed from, is ready to admit students. Jyoti Savitri International School (JSIS), set to commence classes from April 2026, marks a turning point for educational access in a region where lack of infrastructure had long forced children, especially girls, to abandon studies after primary school. The school, first proposed in 2020, will begin with kindergarten to Class 2 and aims to serve around 1,840 underprivileged students up to Class 12 in the coming years. It will follow Christel House model of holistic education that integrates academics with nutrition, health care, transportation, school supplies, and career support. Christel House India will run the school as a secular, CBSE-affiliated institution in partnership with the Pune Zilla Parishad and the Maharashtra government. The initiative was conceived by Rishikesh Huli, principal architect at Pensive Architecture, who was asked by Khanavdi villagers to renovate a memorial for the Phule couple. Moved by the community's reverence for the visionaries, he proposed a more enduring tribute—quality education that addresses the very barriers the Phules fought to dismantle. The gram panchayat responded by donating 12 acres, and Huli's team designed the campus pro bono. The vision was soon expanded into a residential school for destitute girls and underserved communities with the support of then-zilla parishad CEO Ayush Prasad. According to Huli, the construction of phase 1 is nearing completion with CSR funding from Fiat India Automobiles Private Limited (FIAPL). The campus will feature 24 classrooms, science and computer labs, administrative offices, modern sanitation, activity areas, and dedicated language labs. A residential facility for destitute girls from Class 5 onward is also planned. A memorandum of understanding was signed earlier this year in the presence of deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar and school education minister Dada Bhuse, marking a public-private partnership between the Pune Zilla Parishad, Christel House India, and corporate and community stakeholders. 'The partnership is a major step towards equitable education in rural Pune,' said Pune Zilla Parishad CEO Gajanan Patil. 'Built as a tribute to Savitribai and Mahatma Phule, the school will offer high-quality education at no cost to children, especially girls from deprived communities.' Jaison C Mathew, CEO, Christel House India, called it a 'landmark partnership' that aligned closely with Maharashtra's vision for its children. 'We are committed to empowering every child with not just academic excellence but life opportunities—moving them from classrooms to life.' The need for such a facility is pressing. Research shows that while the region is home to over 13,000 school-aged children, English-medium CBSE-aligned institutions remain scarce. David Harris, CEO, Christel House International, said, 'With this school, we are planting seeds for generational change—exactly the kind of vision Mahatma and Savitribai Phule had when they first challenged the barriers to education in this country.' More than 150 years after the Phules opened their first school for girls in Pune, their legacy comes full circle in Khanavdi—this time, with a school that promises not just access, but empowerment.
India Gazette
20-05-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
"More such films should be made": Rahul Gandhi on biographical movie 'Phule'
New Delhi [India], May 20 (ANI): Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi has expressed his wholehearted support for the biographical film 'Phule.'. Directed by Ananth Mahadevan, the film highlights the inspiring lives of two of Maharashtra's most influential social reformers, Mahatma Jyotirao Phule and his wife, Savitribai Phule, who were pivotal in challenging social injustices like caste and gender discrimination in India. Taking to X, he wrote, ''Phule' is not just a film or a biography, it is a good initiative to recognize the history of the Bahujan society, which is missing from the mainstream of our education. More such films should be made that bring forth the Bahujan history and struggle - only by seeing, reading and recognising them will the voice of justice become louder.' Meanwhile, Union Minister Ramdas Athawale also showed his appreciation for the biographical film 'Phule' during a special screening held on May 1, 2025, in Mumbai. Athawale praised the film for its cultural and social significance, emphasising that it is a must-watch for everyone, including lawmakers. The minister has called for the film to be made tax-free across India, suggesting it should be shown to all Parliamentarians and even President Draupadi Murmu.'This movie is a good attempt to highlight the contributions of Jyotirao and Savitribai Phule. It should be watched by everyone, especially our lawmakers, to understand the social issues it addresses. I recommend this film even to the President of India,' said Athawale in a press note, underlining the historical importance of the social reforms by Mahatma Jyotirao Phule and his wife, Savitribai Phule and their relevance in modern-day India. 'Phule', starring Pratik Gandhi and Patralekhaa, was released on April 25, 2025, after it faced objections from certain groups concerning its portrayal of caste-based discrimination. Director Ananth Mahadevan, who was also present at the screening, shared his gratitude for Athawale's support.'The film is a true to history and we have made it with all our heart. I am glad AthawaleJi has endorsed the film today. Today, I am as happy as I am grateful to him for his wholehearted support for the film,' Mahadevan said. The film's core narrative is rooted in the struggles of the Phules, who fought against caste discrimination, illiteracy, and gender biases in 19th-century India. 'Phule' is produced by Dancing Shiva Films and Kingsmen Productions, with Zee Studios handling its distribution. The film also features Vinay Pathak, Suresh Vishwakarma, and Darsheel Safary. (ANI)
The Hindu
22-04-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Why the legacy of the Phules still scares the powerful
Watch: Why the legacy of the Phules still scares the powerful? In this exclusive interview, renowned political theorist and Dalit rights activist Kancha Ilaiah breaks down the real history of the Phules, their fearless fight for equality, and the uncomfortable truths the system still struggles to accept. From caste struggles and social reform to the modern politics of memory — this conversation uncovers why the Phules' story remains one of India's most revolutionary and suppressed histories. Watch the full interview to understand why their message matters now more than ever.
