Dhondo Keshav Karve
Dhondo Keshav Karve, affectionately known as Annasheb Karve, was a prominent Indian social reformer and educator born on April 18, 1858, in Ratnagiri, Maharashtra. He was a trailblazer in the field of women’s education and empowerment, dedicating his life to improving the status of women in Indian society. Karve founded the Hindu Widows’ Home Association in 1896 and went on to establish the first women’s university in India, the SNDT Women’s University, in 1916. His efforts were recognized with the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian award, in 1958. Karve was also a prolific writer, authoring autobiographies such as ‘Atmawrutta‘ in Marathi and ‘Looking Back‘ in English, which provide insights into his life and the social conditions of the time. He passed away on November 9, 1962, at the age of 104, leaving behind a legacy of relentless work towards the upliftment of women and the promotion of education.
