Savita Ambedkar

Dr Savita Bhimrao Ambedkar ( Kabir; 27 January 1909 – 29 May 2003), was an Indian social activist, doctor and the second wife of B.R. Ambedkar.

Ambedkarites and Buddhists refer to her as Mai or Maisaheb, which means 'Mother' or ‘Respected Mother’ in the Marathi language.

Throughout the writing of B. R. Ambedkar’s books, his work in drafting the Indian Constitution and the Hindu code bills and during the Buddhist mass conversion, she helped him on many occasions and was one of his sources of inspiration.

Ambedkar credited her in the preface of his book The Buddha and His Dhamma for extending his life for eighteen years.

Savita Ambedkar was born Sharada Krishnarao Kabir on the 27 January 1909 in Bombay in a Marathi Saraswat Brahmin Kabirpanthi family.

Her mother's name was Janaki and her father's name was Krishnarao Vinayak Kabir.

Her family hailed from the Doors village, located in Rajapur tehsil of Ratnagiri district, Maharashtra.

Later, her father migrated from Ratnagiri to Bombay.

On the Sir Rao Bahadur S. K. Bole Road, near the "kabootarkhana" (pigeon house) in Dadar West, the Kabir family had rented a house in Sahru's house in Matruchaya.

Savita's early education was completed in Pune.

During the time of his treatment Dr. Sharada grew close to Ambedkar; Ambedkar's first wife, Ramabai Ambedkar, having died in 1935 after a long illness.

Many rounds of meetings took place between Dr. Sharda and Ambedkar and later, they also exchanged correspondence.

They had numerous dialogues concerning literature, society, religion, etc. Ambedkar used to listen to Sharda's arguments carefully and then respond.

In 1937, she completed her MBBS degree from Grant Medical College, Bombay.

When her studies were completed, she was appointed as a first class medical officer in a major hospital in Gujarat.

However, after some months of illness, she left her job and returned home.

Six of her eight siblings had inter-caste marriages.

At that time, it was against the societal norms of India.

Savita said, "Our family did not oppose inter-caste marriages, because the whole family was educated and progressive."

At Bombay's Vile Parle, lived a doctor named S.M. Rao who had close links with B. R. Ambedkar.

When Ambedkar came from Delhi to Bombay, he often used to visit the doctor.

Sharada Kabir also used to visit Dr. Rao's house as she had a family relation with him.

One day Ambedkar had come from Delhi and Dr. Sharada Kabir was also present at that time.

Dr. Rao formally introduced them.

Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was then the Labor Minister in the Viceroy's Executive Council.

Dr. Sharda did not know much about Dr. Ambedkar, except that he was a member of the Viceroy's Council.

Dr. Sharada was impressed with Dr. Ambedkar's character.

In their first meeting, she realised that Dr. Ambedkar was an extraordinary and great figure, In this first meeting, Ambedkar inquired about Kabir with interest.

The reason for this was that they were working on the advancement of women.

Ambedkar congratulated them.

There was also discussion about Buddhism in this meeting.

His second meeting took place in the Advice Room of Dr. Mavalankar.

Ambedkar had a blood pressure problem, blood sugar problem and joint pain at that time.

In 1947, during the writing of the Indian Constitution, Dr. Ambedkar got health related problems due to diabetes and high blood pressure.

He did not sleep well.

He went to Bombay for treatment.

In 1947, Ambedkar started worrying about his health.

He wanted someone to take care of him and ensure he was in good health.

In a letter to Bhaurao Gaikwad on the 16th of March 1948, Ambedkar wrote that keeping a woman nurse or caretaker might cause a scandal, hence marriage would be a better way to get someone to look after him.

After the death of Yashwant's mother (Ramabai), he had decided not to marry.