18 July - Kadambini Ganguly birth anniversary

 

Kadambini Ganguly (née Basu) was a pioneering figure in Indian history, known for her significant contributions to medicine and women's rights.

Early Life and Education:

• Birth: Kadambini was born on July 18, 1861, in Bhagalpur, Bihar, British India.
• Family Background: She was born into an enlightened and progressive Brahmo family. Her father, Brajakishore Basu, was a Brahmo reformer who supported women's education.
• Education: Kadambini was among the first female graduates of the University of Calcutta in 1883, along with Chandramukhi Basu. She continued her studies in medicine and became one of the first female physicians trained in Western medicine in South Asia.

Medical Career:

• College of Medicine: After her initial education, Kadambini enrolled in the Calcutta Medical College and graduated with a degree in medicine in 1886, becoming the first Indian woman to do so.
• Further Studies: She pursued further studies in the United Kingdom, earning additional qualifications like the LRCP (Licentiate of the Royal College of Physicians), LRCS (Licentiate of the Royal College of Surgeons), and GFPS (Graduate of the Faculty of Physicians and Surgeons) from Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Dublin, respectively.
• Practice: Upon her return to India, she worked at the Lady Dufferin Hospital in Calcutta, which was established to provide medical care to women by women doctors.

Social and Political Activism:

• Women's Rights: Kadambini was a prominent advocate for women's rights and worked tirelessly to improve the status of women in society. She was involved in various social and political activities aimed at women's empowerment.
• Indian National Congress: She actively participated in the Indian National Congress sessions and was one of the first women to speak at its sessions, advocating for women's issues.
• Social Reforms: She was involved in several social reform movements and worked alongside her husband, Dwarkanath Ganguly, a prominent Brahmo Samaj leader and social reformer.

Legacy:

• Pioneering Role: Kadambini Ganguly's achievements in medicine and her contributions to the women's rights movement paved the way for future generations of Indian women.
• Recognition: She is remembered as a trailblazer who broke societal barriers and became a symbol of women's empowerment in India.
• Death: Kadambini Ganguly passed away on October 3, 1923, but her legacy continues to inspire many.

Kadambini Ganguly's life and work highlight her extraordinary determination and commitment to advancing women's roles in both professional and social spheres in India.