Wikipedia:VideoWiki/Anandi Gopal Joshi

Introduction
Anandibai Gopalrao Joshi was the first Indian female physician. She was the first woman from the erstwhile Bombay presidency of India to study and graduate with a two-year degree in western medicine in the United States.



Early life
Originally named Yamuna Joshi was born on 31 March 1865, raised and married in Kalyan, Maharashtra. She was married at the age of nine to Gopalrao Joshi a widower almost twenty years older than her. After marriage Yamuna's husband renamed her 'Anandi'.

Marriage life
Gopalrao Joshi worked as a postal clerk in Kalyan. Later, he was transferred to Alibag, and then, finally, to Kolkata (Calcutta). He was a progressive thinker, and, unusually for that time, supported education for women.



Death of a baby
At the age of fourteen, Anandibai gave birth to a boy but the child lived only for ten days for lack of medical care. This proved to be a turning point in Anandi's life and inspired her to become a physician.



Academic life
Her husband encouraged her to study medicine. In 1880 he sent a letter to Royal Wilder, a well-known American missionary, stating his wife's interest in studying medicine in the United States and inquiring about a suitable post in the US for himself. A physician couple named Thorborn suggested that Anandibai apply to the Woman's Medical College of Pennsylvania.

Speech at Serampore College
Anandibai addressed the community at Serampore College Hall, explaining her decision to go to America and obtain a medical degree. Her speech received publicity, and financial contributions started pouring in from all over India.

Travelling to US
Anandibai travelled to New York in June 1883, by a ship. She was received by Theodicia Carpenter. Anandibai wrote to the Woman's Medical College of Pennsylvania, asking to be admitted to their medical program, and she was enrolled.



Medical training
Anandibai began her medical training at age 19. She graduated with an MD in March of 1886. On her graduation, Queen Victoria sent her a congratulatory message.



Career
In late 1886, Anandibai returned to India, receiving a grand welcome. The princely state of Kolhapur appointed her as the physician-in-charge of the female ward of the local Albert Edward Hospital.



Death
While in US, her health worsened due to cold weather and unfamiliar diet, and she contracted tuberculosis while studying medicine. This worsened over time, and she eventually died of tuberculosis on 26 February 1887 before turning 22.



Legacy
In 1888, American feminist writer Caroline Wells Healey Dall wrote Joshi's biography.

Series by Doordarshan
Doordarshan, an Indian public service broadcaster aired a Hindi series based on her life, called "Anandi Gopal" and directed by Kamlakar Sarang. Shrikrishna Janardan Joshi wrote a fictionalised account of her life in his Marathi novel Anandi Gopal, which was adapted into a play of the same name.