New Delhi, January 3: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday paid homage to 19th-century social reformer Savitribai Phule on her 189th birth anniversary. Savitribai Jyotirao Phule was a poet and women activist. She worked to abolish discrimination and equal education for women at a time when it was considered taboo. Savitribai Phule 189th Birth Anniversary: Know Facts About 19th Century Social Reformer Who Pioneered The Cause of Women Empowerment.

"I bow to Savitribai Phule on her Jayanti. She devoted her life to the empowerment of the poor and marginalised. She gave utmost importance to education and women empowerment. His struggle for social consciousness will always inspire the countrymen," PM Modi said in a tweet. Savitribai Phule Jayanti 2020: Women and Queer Communities to Hold Nationwide Protests Against CAA, NRC and NPR.

PM Modi Tweet:

Union Minister G Kishan Reddy also paid tributes to Savitribai Phule on her Jayanti. "On her 189th Birth Anniversary, I pay homage to a 19th-century social reformer, Smt. Savitribai Phule. In what was considered a revolutionary step, she along with her husband started India's first school for women,' he said in a tweet.

G Kishan Reddy Tweet:

Considered the first female activist of the country, Phule played a major role in promoting education for women. She also with her husband Mahatma Jyotirao Phule also stood against the casteism and set up India's first school for women in Maharashtra's Pune.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 03, 2020 09:59 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).