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Google of Fatima Sheikh on 9th Jan 2022: ‘It takes a woman and her unwavering will to bring about reform’

Sheikh, who has struggled with inequality her entire life, went door-to-door to instill the spirit of education and empowerment among the oppressed in her community.

Google paid tribute to Fatima Sheikh, considered the first Muslim woman teacher in India, on her 191st birth anniversary on Sunday.

Notably, Sheikh was instrumental in the establishment of one of India’s first all-girls schools. Fatima Sheikh co-founded the Indigenous Library in 1848 along with Jyotirao Phule and Savitribai Phule, pioneers of women’s education and social reformers.

“It takes a woman and her unflinching determination to bring about reform in the face of opposition,” Google India tweeted.

Fatima Sheikh was born in Pune, Maharashtra, on January 9, 1831. She shared a home with her brother Usman. After being evicted for attempting to educate lower caste people, they welcomed the Phule couple into their home. Under the Sheikhs’ roof, the Indigenous Library was established.

With the help of Phule and Sheikh, Dalits, Muslim women, and children from marginalized communities who had been denied access to the school received an education.

“Although Sheikh’s storey has historically been overlooked, the Indian government shone new light on her achievements in 2014 by featuring her profile in Urdu textbooks alongside other trailblazing Indian educators,” Google India said.

About Fatima Sheikh

The educator and social reformer was a coworker of Jyotiba Phule and his wife, Savitribai Phule. They worked tirelessly with Sheikh on caste, Sati, female empowerment, widow remarriage, inter-caste marriage, and education issues.
Sheikh was born in Pune on this day in 1831. She was so driven that, despite the social backlash she received for speaking out, she would go door-to-door urging people to get educated at the Indigenous Library in order to escape the clutches of caste-based discrimination.
The Satyashodhak Samaj (Truthseekers’ Society) movement was born out of her efforts, working alongside the Phule’s to provide opportunities to those born into lower castes.
Sheikh’s accomplishments were highlighted by the government in the form of a profile in Urdu textbooks in 2014, alongside other such exemplary and steadfast educators of her time.

This release is articulated by Prittle Prattle News in the form of an authored article.

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