4.Kadambini Ganguly (1861 – 1923)

 


Kadambini Ganguly was the first doctor of modern medicine  not only in India but also in South Asia. She had to overcome many obstacles and had to endure great hardships to work independently in the field of medicine. She  also did a lot in the freedom struggle of India. Satyagraha movement was also organized in the Gandhian style by organizing women's associations. At the same time, many efforts were made to protect the health of women coal workers.

She was born on July 18, 1862 in Bhagalpur, Bihar, British India as the daughter of Braja Kishore Basu, a Brahmo Samaj worker. Their family hailed from Chandsi in Barisal, now Bangladesh. Kadambini's father was the headmaster of Bhagalpur School. Kadambini's father and Abhay Charan Malik also formed an organization to save the women of Bhagalpur from slave labour. Bhagalpur Mahila Samiti was formed by them in 1863. It was perhaps the first such organization in India.

Kadambini was educated at Banga Mahila Vidyalaya and then at Bethuna School. In 1878, he became the first child to pass the Calcutta University entrance examination. As a result of Kadambini's efforts, studies for the degree of FA (Faculty of Arts) started in Bethuna College. She graduated from there in 1883. Kadambini and Chandramukhi Basu were the first two girls in that course. Both of them were the first passers from there. Then Kadambini defied many objections and enrolled in a medical college. In 1886, she got her medical degree (GBMC). Thus, she became the first medical graduate in South Asia. In 1893 they travelled to Edinburgh. There he obtained LRCP (Edinburgh) degree from Edinburgh, LRCS (Glasgow) degree and GFPS (Dublin) degree from Dublin.

Personal life

She was a mother of eight children but never shied away from her responsibilities. Along with household chores, community activities continued. American historian David Koff wrote: Ganguly's wife Kadambini was the most independent and perfect woman in India and the foremost among the Brahmo women of her time. She was also the most progressive of contemporary women. She was the most productive among the Brahmo Christian women of Bengal at that time. She strived to bring other women along and make independent decisions. Thus, Bangla women were given the opportunity to work independently.

 

 

 

Others criticized them sharply. She fought constantly for women's freedom and was insulted even by calling her an adulteress in the newspaper Bamanashi. Her husband sued for such contempt and got the editor of the magazine sentenced to six months in prison.

A TV serial based on Kadambini's life titled “Prothoma Kadambini” was aired on Bengali TV Star Jaisha in March 2020. Famous actress Solanki Rai played the role of Kadambini. This serial was also presented in digital mode.

 

Reference

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kadambini_Ganguly

 

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