Tribute to Dr. Anandi Bai Joshi and Dr. Rakhmabai Raut by Utkarsh Mahila Mandal and Aadhar Social Foundation

Pune: While managing household chores, careers, and family responsibilities, many women do not get time to focus on their own health. Instead of just teaching girls to balance career and family, it is now essential to teach boys to participate in household work as well, said Dr. Kalpana Balivant, Deputy Health Chief of Pune Municipal Corporation.

A tribute event was organized at Pune Bharat Gayan Samaj, Shanipar Chowk by Utkarsh Mahila Mandal, Aadhar Social Foundation, and Pune Bharat Gayan Samaj to honor India’s first female doctors, Dr. Anandi Bai Joshi and Dr. Rakhmabai Raut.

The event was graced by dignitaries including retired Assistant Police Commissioner Sushma Chavan, Mrunalini Rasane, singer Sawani Datar, along with Utkarsh Mahila Mandal’s Founder President Savita Kalokhe, former municipal corporator Dilip Kalokhe, Rajesh Tukaram Shinde, Puran Hudke, Sharvari Kalokhe, Alka Nahar, and others. During the event, the women attendees performed an aarti of Sharda Gajanan Mandai Ganpati.

Dr. Kalpana Balivant highlighted that on Women’s Day, social media is flooded with images of women holding a broom and clothes in one hand while managing a career with a laptop in the other. Instead of glorifying this as an ideal, we should recognize it as a reflection of increased expectations from women.

Sushma Chavan emphasized the importance of women’s safety, stating that many people remain mere spectators in situations where they should act as responsible citizens and provide help. Instead of worrying only about the safety of daughters, they should be taught self-defense, and sons should also be raised with the right values.

The event concluded with Dilip Kalokhe conducting the anchoring.