Dr. Rani Laxmibai Rajwade was born in 1887. She was the eldest child of Sir Moropant Joshi who was a nationalist, social re-former and a promoter of woman's emancipation and education. He strove to eradicate all social evils, which undermined the foundations of Hindu Society. Though he observed all religious rituals and customs sacred to Hindu-ism he was against orthodoxy and considered it a sin. He gave equal opportunities to his children, boys and girls, in all walks of life. Rani Rajwade and her three younger sisters were sent to the local convent school where English was used as the medium of instruction. Later they attended Degree Colleges in Bombay in spite of social opposition. Rani Rajwade passed her matriculation from Calcutta University and thereafter joined the Grant Medical College in Bombay. Winning a number of scholarships, she earned the degree of L.M.S. with distinction. After which, she proceed-ed to England, accompanying Gopal Krishna Gokhale. There she met Mrs. Pankhurst, Mr.Warrick and Mrs. Sommerset who were closely associated with the suffragette movement. After obtaining her L.R.C.P., M.R.C.S and L.M she missed her chance of completing F.R.C.S, as she had to return home due to the serious illness of her mother. Laxmibai had married Maj. Gen. Raja C.R Rajwade of Gwalior State who was a widower with four sons and two daughters. Rani Rajwade practiced medicine in Bombay for four-teen years and took active interest in the work of the All India Women's Conference. Later, she was elected as the Secre-tary of the A.I.W.C for two years, and thereafter became its President. Jawaharlal Nehru appointed her as the head of the section of Women's Welfare, Education and Advancement under the National Planning Committee. Rani Rajwade went to the U.S. as a member of a delegation led by the Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru. Rani Rajwade passed away on 1984 at the ripe age of 97. She was active all throughout her life. |