Google celebrates Dr Rukhmabai Raut's birthday, and So should we
NEW DELHI: Search engine giant Google dedicated its doodle to Rukhmabai Raut, one of India's first practicing doctors, to celebrate her 153rd birthday.
Rukhmabai was born on this day in the year 1864 in Mumbai. She was married off at a very tender age of 11 to Dadaji Bhikaji. She continued to remain in the house of her mother and educate herself.
However, Dadaji did not support Rukhmabai's choice to continue studying, which led her to take the decision of not remaining married to Dadaji.
In 1884, Dadaji filed a petition at the Bombay High Court to restore conjugal rights over his wife. The court, in its judgment, directed Rukhmabai to live with her husband or go to the jail. Rukhmabai, however, refused and told the Court that she would prefer to go to jail, rather than staying with Dadaji.
It was only in this case that the Age of Consent Act was passed in 1891, which outlawed child marriages across the British Empire. The court ordered the Rukmani to either stay with her husband or face imprisonment and go to jail.
Disclaimer: This website is primarily for healthcare professionals. The content here does not replace medical advice and should not be used as medical, diagnostic, endorsement, treatment, or prescription advice. Medical science evolves rapidly, and we strive to keep our information current. If you find any discrepancies, please contact us at corrections@medicaldialogues.in. Read our Correction Policy here. Nothing here should be used as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. We do not endorse any healthcare advice that contradicts a physician's guidance. Use of this site is subject to our Terms of Use, Privacy Policy, and Advertisement Policy. For more details, read our Full Disclaimer here.
NOTE: Join us in combating medical misinformation. If you encounter a questionable health, medical, or medical education claim, email us at factcheck@medicaldialogues.in for evaluation.