Savarkar

The name is enough to fill our hearts with respect. But I am referring to his better half today. Mai Savarkar! Today is her 136th birth anniversary.

Diwan Ramchandra Trimbak alias Bhaurao Chiplunkar of Jawhar & his wife, Laxmibai were her parents. Born as ,their eldest daughter, Yashoda, she had four brothers & seven sisters.

Born in the Diwan family, she grew up in riches. As was the custom in those days she married at the age of 13. She married the second son of Inamdar Damodar Savarkar, Vinayak Damodar Savarkar. ( Tatyarao). Bhagur is a place close to Nasik.

Yashoda Chiplunkar became Yamunabai Savarkar.Hailing from a rich family, now she became a part of the rich legacy of armed revolution. From the green peaceful Jawhar she came to a household of bustling activities .

She joined hands with her elder sister-in -law Saraswatibai alias Yesu vahini to build ‘ Atmanishtha Yuvati Samaj’. This woman organisation had over a hundred & fifty members.

In 1950, she was felicitated in Pune for her work by ‘Hindu Mahila Samaj’. Shantabai Gokhale & Girijabai Gore felicitated her.

Swatantraveer Savarkar was sentenced to 50 years of hard punishment. He was dispatched to Andaman islands. His wife also endured harsh treatment here. India under the British rule was so different from what it is today! We have fresh air to breathe because of our freedom fighters.

In 1927, in Ratnagiri Mahatma Gandhi & Kasturba came to visit Tatyarao. They caringly inquired of Mai Savarkar.

8 Nov.1963 at the age of 74, Mai Savarkar died after a prolonged illness.

People of this stature are born once in a lifetime of a nation. Salute.