On the occasion of the 153rd birth anniversary of India’s first female doctor — Anandi Gopal Joshi, Google paid tribute to her with a doodle. The doodle is created by Bangalore-based artist, Kashmira Sarode, who has portrayed Anandi obtaining her degree in a green saree representing where she has come from.
She was born in Yamuna on March 31, 1865, in Thane district and got married to Gopalrao Joshi at the age of 9. At 14, she gave birth to her first child, who died due to lack of medical care which encouraged her to study medicine.
Meanwhile, her husband who was thrice her age encouraged her to take up education. He taught her to read and write Marathi, English, and Sanskrit. He also sent her to Calcutta to pursue further studies.
Despite the pressure, Anandi was sent to America to pursue a degree in medicine. In 1886, at the age of 21, she graduated from Women’s Medical College of Pennsylvania (WMC) with Kei Okami of Japan and Tabat Islambooly of Syria, who became the first woman to obtain a degree in Western medicine.
After obtaining a degree, she completed her thesis in obstetric practices among the ancient Hindus. After her graduation, Queen Victoria had reportedly sent her a congratulatory message.
In 1886, she came back to India with a dream of opening a medical college for women, least she knew, her dream would never turn into reality. She was appointed as physician-in-charge of the female ward of the local Albert Edward Hospital. But, on February 26, 1887, she passed away due to tuberculosis at the age of 22.
Joshi came back to India in 1886 with the dream of opening a medical college for women. She got a grand welcome and the princely state of Kolhapur appointed her as physician-in-charge of the female ward of the local Albert Edward Hospital. However, at the age of 22, Anandi passed away due to tuberculosis on February 26, 1887.
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