Dr.(Smt). Durgabai Deshmukh
Dr.(Smt). Durgabai Deshmukh, the “Crown Jewel of A.P.” hailed as the “Doyen of Social Service in India” was the founder of ANDHRA MAHILA SABHA, a unique voluntary organization in the World’s voluntary sector, with more than 50 units working for the cause of women – their empowerment, education, health, disability, rehabilitation, legal aid, old age support.
She was a multifaceted, personality – freedom fighter, social worker, educationist, administrator, dynamic leader, prolific writer, institution builder, committed worker and above all a great humanist.
Dr. (Mrs.) Durgabai Deshmukh a woman of strong conviction and buoyant optimism belonged to the class of people who believed in simple living and high thinking. As an institutional builder she catered to the felt needs of the society, starting new institutions from time to time. A staunch believer in sacrifice, she continued her long journey (1909 to 1981) from her childhood till her last breath she was a source of inspiration and a towering light. She continued this remarkable journey with commitment, dedication and sacrifice leaving AMS with the rich legacy of the eternal values cherished by one and all.
Dr. Durgabai her vision and mission by Smt. K. Lakshmi, Founder Principal
SIndia during 20th century had a long list of epoch making incident and the presence of path setting individuals, transforming it from its alien rule to a techno savvy stage. This metamorphosis was due to the contribution of great personalities. In the first half of the century the name of Mahatma Gandhi had Kindle effect on millions of people to join the political and social movements. Ignited by Gandhian philosophy Dr. Durgabai could kindle the zeal to do good to others specially to women and children in every one that came in contact with her or with the organisations she set up. “No Women leader in history has such a large following during her lifetime in her own country. She evoked whole hearted devotion from women”(Mohini Giri). She struck an important rapport with anyone coming into contract with her. Though she was simple interest and mode of life her eyes commanded respect and attracted cooperation. Every page in the life history of Dr. Durgabai is a lesson of inspiration and direction.
I had the good fortune of coming under her spell. My Association with Deshmukh couple had been the most memorable and ever cherished one. While my degrees provided me with necessary qualifications, it is my association with Dr. Durgabai that provided a direction and purpose for these degrees. I used to feel her ave inspiring presence and her beaming smile. There was not a single moment when she was not thinking of something new to do and experiment. This had great influence on my way of functioning.
I was a child of eleven when I met her for the first time in 1950. I was so attracted by her that spontaneously I decided to leave my formal School to join Andhra Mahila Sabha. Again when I met her in 1970 I left my job in a Government college and joined Andhra Mahila Sabha as a lecturer in Economics. One day she called me and said that she wanted to start a bed college and asked me to make necessary preparations for it after my classes in the college. This assignment I cherished most as it provided a unique opportunity for me to closely interact with the great Deshmukh couple. Every meeting with them added knowledge and skills related to the areas of management and provided a professional direction.
Her purpose in starting B. Ed college was not to add one more unit to her institution. She believed education was the real answer to the problems of unfortunate millions, specially women. She couldn’t contain herself by providing general education alone as she could envisage the need for Women’s employment. This prompted her to start a B.Ed college, in the college campus instead of vertical upgradation of Degree College with Post Graduate courses. She also believed strongly that voluntary organisations had a special role to play in the field of Teacher education. The quality of teachers depends on the creation of right values, attitudes and interests. This would be possible only in voluntary organizations which command the services of devoted workers. This noble objective behind the origin of the college had been the track setter till now.
Right from the first year the college had been working with the mandate of preparing teachers with quality and commitment and earned unique position in the field of teacher education, but there was then, the reply from the state government was that ” you will be running the college and we will provide the financial support” and announced annual grant on the spot. That was the faith and respect government had for her institutions.
Dr. Durgabai never set any target or goal to be achieved, but her personality was a constant reminder for achievement. Any assignment entrusted by her or taken up in her institution provided a sence of satisfaction and contentment as she always used to ensure that employees and worker feel supported and appreciated for their contribution. What made people like me enjoy working in Andhra Mahila Sabha was the faith and confidence Deshmukh couple had in the people they identified for any work. They firmly believed in the doctrine of detachment and were convinced that such detachment would be good for Institution and would also strengthen it. The autonomy they gave is tilled in a sense of belonging and total dedication with the organization. Naturally accountability became the other side of the coin of autonomy.
Her personality not only inspired many to take up the challenges but could also transform the passive and this interested people. Many students feel privileged to be part of Dr. Durgabai’s Institutions. But even those who join with some semblance of reluctance confessed the transformation they have undergone after joining this institution. Even male teachers from Government and other private Institutions who used to attend the summer programmes confessed many times that there was something in the soil and air of Dr. Durgabai’s institutions which atomatically instils discipline and respects for values.
Dr.Durgabai was very affectionate but she “contained her affection and expressed in deeds rather than words”. On many occasions our meeting with her were not so excited despite carrying what we deemed as basket of success. On the other hand, the sense of solace we received from her when we encountered disappointment and failures in our initiative was unexplainable. For her it was not the final outcome but the level of sincerity and commitment as reflected in the process of the efforts was significant.
When she passed away in 1981 will became dry in thoughts and inspiration. Then this spark of her message that great calamities should make way to grater glories shined before us. Dr. Durgabai consciously chose to live deliberately and purposefully for others. Her personal life has no demands, to quote Mohini Giri “Her playground was the nation- humanity full of unfortunate women and children eagerly waiting for a messiah.” Moving on the path laid by her and drawing inspiration from her ceaseless hunting for newer Ideas and mechanisms, AMS College of Education entered the field of Early Childhood Education in the year 1982 as a tribute to the visionary leader and path finder. In tune with her objectives and vision an innovative self employment oriented teacher training programme for handling young children the hour as well.
It was the time when there had been growing consciousness in the world that children deserve greater attention during their formative years. Despite the fact that there was much talk about the importance of ECE and holistic development of children, nothing much was done. In addition there were innumerable challenges like the absence of appropriate curriculum, pedagogical support and glaring lack of community awareness.
And innovative Teacher Training Programme to handle 3 to 8 yr, young ones is developed with a strong self employment component. This programme was presented to Osmania University and it was accredited as P.G. Diploma in Early Childhood Education of Osmania University. Such an integrated programme linking pre and early primary classes was first of its kind in the country. It was recognized as a restructured course by University Grants Commission – a unique privilege bestowed on a private institution. The programme received acclaim from UNICEF and it entrusted the Early Childhood Education project through NCERT and also identified Andhra Mahila Sabha as a State Resource Center in Early Childhood Education (SRC ECE) and it’s a services are most sought after by different agencies working in this area at International, national and state level. This provided the college a unique privilege of entering even the remote rural and tribal pockets of the state with its programme. It was highly gratifying experience of working with the most needy children, thus fulfilling the dream of our founder.
The academic excellence, the innovative projects, the extension activities made the college stand on a different pedestal, hence the college was elevated to the status of College of Teacher Education in 1997 – a special privilege bestowed on a private aided college.
The college also took up the challenge of preparing teachers needed for different areas like special educationists, language specialists along with teacher educators (Masters in Education).
Today College of Teacher Education, which is a model of Expansion, Experimentation and Excellence stands as a testimony of Dr. Durgabai’s vision and how her awe inspiring personality could evoke whole hearted devotion in everyone concerned with the college. She made all of us realize the joy of working for a cause. Naturally the cause and institution got priority over individuals.
Salutations to the visionary leader who has been our path setter. The seed of Early Childhood Education sown as a tribute to her is ready with fruits on her Birth Centenary.