On this day, English educator and social reformer Mary Carpenter, who had also met Raja Rammohan Roy in England, went to Uttarpara with Ishwarchandra Vidyasagar. An accident during their return left a permanent impact on Vidyasagar’s health.
Carpenter, who had started educational institutions for poor children and young offenders in Bristol, and was involved in the education of women and the anti-slavery movement, had wanted to start a Normal School for training of women teachers in India during her visit here.
Director of public instruction W.S. Atkinson had introduced Carpenter to Vidyasagar at Bethune School. An instant friendship had developed between the two. Carpenter visited a few girls’ schools near Calcutta with Vidyasagar and proposed that the Normal School be opened at Bethune School.
Carpenter wrote in her book Six Months in India: “On the morning of December 14, I set off to visit the institutions connected with the Hitokorry Shova, or Benevolent Society of Ooterparrah. Our party consisted of Mr Atkinson, the Director of Public Education, Mr (H.) Woodrow, the Inspector (of schools) and the celebrated Pundit, Isher Chunder Vidyasagar.”
On their way back, Vidyasagar’s carriage overturned. Vidyasagar was seriously injured in the liver. Since he was seen in the company of a woman, songs were written lampooning the incident. The injury persisted till the end of his life.
