How India's First Woman Doctor Successfully Healed A Country's Mindset

Dr Roshan Radhakrishnan
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You know the story. You know the twists. 
Life isn't fair.

She lives in a land where women have no legal say. 
Life isn't fair.

She is married before she crosses the age of 10. Her husband is 30 and a widower. She has no say in the wedding. 
Life isn't fair.

She is 14 when she gives birth to a baby boy. A boy who will have more rights than her as he grows up. 
The baby dies on the 10th day due to lack of proper medical care. 
Life isn't fair.

Heartbroken but determined now, she wishes to become a doctor to heal others like her who have minimal access to medical aid. She learns new languages, leaves her hometown and applies to various schools. She is turned away by all. She is 15. 
Life isn't fair.

Her husband - rough but broadminded - seeks the aid of foreigners to help her dream come true. Their words, written in the gardens of colonized India, find their way to an international magazine and are read by a woman in America awaiting her dental appointment. She is impressed and looks to help the girl attain her dream. This is not met favourably by the locals in India who persecute the wayward girl and her husband for dreaming of being anything more than subservient to society. She is not yet 16. 
Life isn't fair.

The fever begins. It is accompanied by bouts of bodyache, headache and breathlessness. Her body is forsaking her. 
Life isn't fair.

She addresses the community to explain why she needs to do this. How Indian women would respond better to a woman doctor. Her words touch the hearts of a few across the country but she remains ostracized by those around her. 
Life isn't fair.

Years pass and her health continues to deteriorate. An opportunity arises and she takes it, leaving her home country and traveling abroad to join what was only the second women's medical program in the world. She is 18. Her ailment is diagnosed to be tuberculosis. Tuberculosis in a time where death is a certainty. 
Life isn't fair.

She does not give up. She studies hard and surpasses everyone's expectations, graduating as a doctor at 21. She receives a grand reception on returning to India, the first Indian woman doctor of modern medicine. She is duly appointed the physician in charge of the women's ward at one of the country's most prestigious hospitals. Her dream to make the lives of women and children in India healthier has finally begun. She is 21. She is still 21 months later when she dies of tuberculosis. 
Life isn't fair. 

The set of cards dealt by life to Dr Anandibai GopalRao Joshi held no favours for the young girl. Every step was a struggle and there was heartbreak aplenty right till the very end. 

And yet, this is a story of triumph... of a woman whose choices 137 years ago at a mere 14 years old changed India. This is the story of how Dr Anandibai GopalRao Joshi succeeded.


How India's first woman doctor successfully healed a country's mindset


Today, you don't think twice before walking into the OPD of a female physician. You don't hesitate when you see a female anaesthesiologist and surgeon come out of the operation theatre to talk to you. Female gynaecologists and radiologists? But of course! Dermatologists & ophthalmologists? Naturally. Microbiologists, pathologists, forensic doctors, urologists, neurosurgeons... there is simply no super specialty in India that doesn't have an Indian woman doctor. Each one of these women have faced their own individual struggles and earned their degrees alongside their male peers... something that means nothing to you today but was considered sacrilege here in India less than 5 generations ago.  

And that is where Dr Anandibai succeeded. 

Anandibai was an anomaly in the 1880s, the only female Indian doctor of modern medicine. Today, females constitute 50 percent of those joining the medical field every year. Every one of us - at some point or the other in our lives - have been treated or watched our loved ones treated by a female doctor. 

That is where Dr Anandibai succeeded. 

Hated by her own countrymen for daring to want to be more than just a child bride, when she died she was treated as a national icon by the same nationals for her courage. A 21 year old woman changed India's perception of what a woman could do.

That is where Dr Anandibai succeeded. 

Many good men and women have fought their entire lives to change the way patriarchal society thinks. It's easy to say that 2023 is no 1883 and we live in a modern, free thinking society. Except we don't. Not in many parts of the world, not in many parts of our own country. You don't have to look too far to see the discrimination and belittling mindset that is still present in our everyday conversations. 

Today, on yet another Women's Day, it is important to understand that this day isn't just about the colourful posts and warm greetings. It is about acknowledging the struggles that exist for women even today because of the unfair world around them and helping them rise to the best of their abilities, even if it means breaking rigid concepts, both around us... and often within us. 

This fight for women to be considered equal in a world that regresses to traditional patriarchal concepts at the first sign of any change is a long drawn, often unfair one. But it is one that must continue, nonetheless, even if it seems futile to us right now.

Why? Because every time a woman successfully breaks down a stereotype, she inspires a million more to be better than they ever imagined possible. Just like India's first woman doctor did, nearly 140 years ago.

Having learned from, watched from afar as well as worked beside women doctors whose skills far surpass my own, I can honestly say that the country owes a debt of gratitude to Anandibai.  

Dr Anandibai did not get to heal even a dozen patients before she passed away. But her strength against all odds made sure that crores of Indians since then have been healed by the kind nurturing hands and sharp minds of women doctors.  

That is where Dr Anandibai succeeded... in healing a country's mindset.


Author's Note:
This post is part of Blogchatter’s CauseAChatter.
This blog post is also part of the Women’s Day Blog Hop, themed on She: A Tribute to Her, hosted by Swarnali Nath

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42Comments

Let me know what you think.

  1. Hey Roshan, lovely to be reading you again after a few years but the aura in your writing is the same. I like how the life isn't fair gradually changes to how Anandibai succeeded.

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    1. Thanks Geethica. Yes, it has been a long time since I've written (for various reasons). Happy to be back.

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  2. Beautiful radha…

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  3. Astonishing 👏👏👏move ahead Sir 👍

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  4. It's so nice to know that women fought and the world benefitted from it by having more compassionate human beings as care takers in the medical industry.

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    1. Yes. It's always been an uphill battle for women, no matter which field.

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  5. Very inspiring post, Doc! True, one person takes on the world, and paves a path for millions to follow in his/her footstep. There are so many things we take for granted today that someone must have fought tooth & nail for sometime in history. Really impressive how you dig out such stories!
    Btw, I now blog anonymously as 'Kay' at https://www.mugofmuse.com.

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  6. Wow! Respect to Dr Anandibai!! Hats off to such determination and courage to brave the odds and become a trailblazer for women across generations to come!!

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    1. She truly was. Today, every batch of medicos has atleast 50 percent women.

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  7. I am so happy to read this post. For this bloghop, I was debating between whether to write about Anandibai or Ramabai Ranade. I am happy that if I wrote about Ramabai, you picked Ananbai. She is an inspiration. It would have been awesome if she could treat patients using her skill set.

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    1. True. Back then TB was as good as death, sadly. Just staying alive long enough to become a doctor was a victory in the end.

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  8. Touching and impactful true life-story of Dr Anandibai.
    Phenomenal success to heal a nation's attitude and outlook.
    Thanks to her indomitable will and never-say-die spirit, the verdict is clear & loud-
    we now are where we are with so many awesome women doctors who make us proud.

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    1. I have women doctor colleagues in every speciality of medicine today, all brilliant and life savers. Would not have been possible if the first match had not been lot.

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  9. Wow! I hadn't heard of Dr. Anandibai, so thank you for highlighting her story, doc. What an inspiration she was, and though her life was cut short, she left such a lasting impact on the nation!

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  10. "She receives a grand reception on returning to India, the first Indian woman doctor of modern medicine." The nation welcomed her with a grand reception but her journey was not smooth. I have watched a serial where the story of Kadambini Ganguly who was one of the first Indian female doctors. Anandibai's story narrated the same obstacles but I am glad that they had supportive partners who were always beside them in their struggles. Thank you so much Dr. Roshan for joining the blog hop. Means a lot. Much gratitude 🤗 - Swarnali Nath

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  11. Anandibai's story is indeed indeed heartbreaking. She struggled with all the bias so that women could receive good and timely medical care. The women medical pioneers need to be celebrated more.

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  12. What an inspiration! A true hero, who not only fulfilled her dreams, but inspired a million women to go after their dreams, break stereotypes, and prove that they can achieve anything they set their sights on.

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  13. Dr Anandibai 's journey is indeed inspiring and you have given a perfect title for post for her journey as healing country's mindset. being a doctor, it was great to know about her. huge respect to her dedication and thank a lot to you doc for sharing her journey with us. great post for blog hop.

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  14. That last line was the best 'That is where Dr Anandibai succeeded... in healing a country's mindset.'
    That's exactly what needs to change in order for there to be real, impactful change.
    I loved how you started out with a poem to highlight how 'Life isn't fair' for women and how it made Dr Anandibai 's journey a challenging one.
    This was a great tribute to women in medicine.
    Cheers!

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  15. What an inspiring story. Life is rarely fair, the thing to do is to soldier on. Good to have you writing again, Roshan.

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  16. This was a revelation to me. Thank you for sharing the first female doctor in India. Dr. Anandi bai . Must have been so challenging for her to study in a man/s world and be a success. I think these are the genuine heroes of India and we should highlight them. Thanks, Roshan, for sharing this gem.

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  17. "This fight for women to be considered equal in a world that regresses to traditional patriarchal concepts at the first sign of any change is a long drawn, often unfair one. But it is one that must continue, nonetheless, even if it seems futile to us right now."

    So, so true. It must continue.

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  18. Loved reading your post Dr Radha. Dr Anandi Bai was certainly a triailblazer who made it possible for women to take up medicine

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  19. The women of today's medical field is indeed the success of Dr. Anandibai. What an inspiring and informative read, thanks so much for sharing this powerful woman's story. :)

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  20. Thankful to have the opportunity to read this post about a woman doctor who healed the mindset of the country before generations.

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  21. It was such a delight to read your post, Roshan. I liked the way you described Annandi bhai's story, from her struggles to her success how she paved the way for all the other girls to join the medical field. Inspiring post as always.

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  22. Really liked your style on emphasizing how a short lived life left a mark and consequently succeeded. Incremental changes in women’s rights where the hardships of the trailblazers have resulted in opening up doorways for future generations, yet the gap remains - especially if you account for the lives of poor women across the globe.

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  23. A very enticing piece. A similar story is that of Kadambini Ganguly. Yes she had a longer time to practice. The mindset needed the required cure first before any other healing.

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  24. It was amazing to read your writing after a long time, Dr. Roshan ! Welcome back . As always this is a superbly written article and I loved how you started with Life isn't fair and yet Anandibai succeeded in breaking stereotypes.

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  25. Healing the mindset is way more important than healing the physical body. Our country is indebted to Dr Joshi for her rich contributions despite all the struggles. Thank God she didn't give up.

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  26. Anandibai did more than heal others with medicine. She inspired generations and millions of women to dream and achieve. It's cute, but till my son was around 5-6 yrs old he didn't know that men could be doctors too. He was always treated by women. This is where Anandibai won!

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  27. I am reading from your blog after a long time, and as usual it's exactly the same - insightful. Glad to know about the first woman doctor of India.

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  28. What a brilliant write-up. I didnt know the whole story of Dr. Anandibai , the fact that she died so young. But yes, she healed the mindset of a country. What an impeccable observation. This is one of my favorite stories in the blog hop.

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  29. Loved reading your post Dr Roshan! While reading it struck me that I’ve also watched a television serial on Anandibai named “ Anandi Gopal” which was aired on Doordarshan in the early 2000 and I used to watch it regularly. A great scholar woman who pioneered in the field of medicine to become the first woman doctor!! Your title is exemplary- how she healed a country’s mindset!!

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  30. I am so inspired by this blog and this personality! There's a marathi movie Anandi Gopal which I watched and got to know here story and since then she has been an inspiration. You have beautifully captured this essence of this wonderful woman. Thank you so much for this blog!

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  31. Oh My God, Dr. Roshan, I literally had goosebumps reading this post! I must congratulate for articulating such a great post and what an amazing tribute to Dr. Anandi! Women like her who have broken the stereotypes need to be recognized by including in our school syllabuses so that the young learners are inspired to follow such great leaders. And I am so happy to see men like recognizing the efforts of women, accepting and appreciating them for their successes and nudging her whenever it is the need of the hour. Thank you so much!

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  32. Very touching story , very well written !! I think the social structure we live in is because generations of women activists have fought for these rights , and that’s one reason I give myself for being a feminist !! Even though as a woman doctor in India , I have never felt discriminated.

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  33. Roshan, you have articulated the post in a story manner ad it held attention through out. You are right, today the matters that look normal to us have been a part of struggle century ago. Good to know in detail about India's first doctor.

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  34. When I was young, I watched this serial about her life. How she once stepped out wearing shoes and everybody ostracised her. It seems like a fiction when you read about the life of women 200 years ago. How impossible it was for women to rise. And yet she did, at such a young age. Her courage paved way for the future female doctor. What a beautiful post Doc.

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