In days when silence ruled the land,
And chains of caste held tight each hand,
When women’s dreams were locked away,
She rose a spark that lit the day.

A daughter born in shadows deep,
Where girls were taught to bow and weep,
Yet in her soul, a fire grew,
Of justice, strength, and something new.

She walked where none had dared before,
With books in hand, she knocked on doors.
"Let girls learn too," her voice declared,
But taunts and stones were all she shared.

They mocked her steps, they spat in spite,
They feared the truth, they shunned the light.
Yet she, with poise and quiet grace,
Keep walking toward a better place.

Beside her stood a kindred soul,
Jyotirao who shared her goal.
Together, side by side they stood,
For every girl misunderstood.

In 1848, bold and bright,
A school for girls, a beacon light.
A sacred space for minds to grow,
Where wisdom sets their hearts aglow.

No caste too low, no dream too high,
She wiped the tears from every eye.
To widows shamed, she gave her care,
To child brides trapped, she breathed fresh air.

She wrote of truth with fiery pen,
Her verses are bold, unlike most men.
“Awake, arise, oh sisters mine
Your chains are lies, your soul’s divine.”

Through storms of hate, she stood so tall,
A mother not to one but all.
And when the plague did strike her land,
She served the sick with a fearless hand.

She lived for all, and when she died,
The stars bowed low, the winds all cried.
For one who dared to teach and heal,
And make the truth of justice real.

Today her name still lights the sky,
A star that time cannot deny.
Savitribai the first, the brave,
Who taught us all how hearts behave.

So let us rise and walk her path,
Against all hate, against all wrath.
With books in hand and love as guide,
Keep Savitribai by our side.

Poem by: Ahalya Kaibarta

She is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and Language Studies at Central University of Karnataka and hails from Kalahandi District, Odisha