THE life of Savitribai Phule and Jyotiba Phule is a saga of great sacrifice and courage. Born on January 3, 1831, in a peasant family, Savitribai was the first woman from Maharashtra who lit the flame of social revolution to change the oppressive thoughts and customs prevalent in the society. Her life had many dimensions and her work persists more than a century after her death on March 10, 1897, inspiring generations, of not just women but the dispossessed people of all genders, castes and communities.