Pink Sarees and Pencils: How Grandmothers in Maharashtra Are Reclaiming Education

In Phangane, a quiet village in Maharashtra, the afternoon sun usually signals a time for rest. But every day just before 2 pm, a group of women in bright pink sarees heads towards a colorful hut, clutching satchels and plastic bags filled with notebooks, slates, and pencils. These women, ranging from their 60s to even 90s, are not heading to a typical school; they are going to Aajibaichi Shala, the grandmothers’ school. Inside the hut, festooned with streamers and flowers, they sit cross-legged on cotton rugs on the mud floor. A younger woman leads them in a prayer song, followed by recitation of the Marathi alphabet. Here, lessons are simple yet transformative: reading, writing, and basic arithmetic, skills many of these women were denied as childrenThe Birth of a Unique InitiativeAajibaichi Shala was established in 2016 by a charitable trust and Yogendra Bangar, a teacher at the village’s primary school, to empower women over 60 who never had the chance to attend school. The school was launched to mark International Women’s Day, offering a platform for elderly women to learn literacy skills and basic numeracy. Initially, classes were held in the home of Sheetal More, a 30-year-old local woman and the school’s first teacher. “At first, I was nervous about teaching such elderly women; even my mother-in-law attends,” she said. “But they are all so eager, and they behave just like children in class. Every other teacher teaches children; only I have the opportunity to teach elderly women.” As the initiative grew, a dedicated hut was built in More’s backyard, shaded by a large mango tree, to accommodate the increasing number of students. Learning Beyond the ClassroomLife in Phangane follows the rhythms of rural Maharashtra. During the day, women handle household chores, cook, care for grandchildren, and tend to livestock. Yet, the grandmothers make time to attend school.  The school is more than an academic space; it is a social hub. Women share experiences, giggle together, and support one another’s learning journeys. Some bring grandchildren along, turning afternoons into moments of intergenerational connection. The bright pink sarees they wear serve as a symbolic uniform, creating a sense of pride and belonging among the learners.Bridging Generational Gaps in LiteracyWhile India has made significant strides in literacy over recent decades, rural women still lag behind men. According to official data, 79 percent of rural men are literate, compared with only 59 percent of women. Societal norms, early marriage, and household responsibilities have historically limited girls’ access to education. Nearly half of Indian girls are still married before the legal age of 18, as reported by UNICEF. Aajibaichi Shala directly addresses this inequality by providing a second chance at education for women who missed out. By teaching them to read, write, and handle basic arithmetic, the school helps these grandmothers participate more actively in family and community life, from reading letters and newspapers to signing important documents.Empowerment Through EducationFor the women attending, the benefits extend beyond literacy. The school nurtures self-confidence, independence, and dignity, qualities that may have been overlooked for decades. Moreover, the initiative aligns with India’s ongoing push for gender equality in education. Since the Right to Education Act of 2009, children from disadvantaged backgrounds have had the right to free and compulsory education until the age of 14. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 2015 campaign, Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao (save the girl child, educate the girl child), further emphasizes the importance of education for girls. Aajibaichi Shala complements these efforts by reaching women who were excluded from earlier reforms.A School That Inspires CommunitiesWhat started as a small classroom in a young teacher’s home has grown into a symbol of hope and empowerment. It is a reminder that education has no age limit and that communities can come together to create opportunities for those left behind. In Phangane, the laughter and chatter of grandmothers learning to read and write under the shade of a mango tree have become a daily celebration of resilience and lifelong learning. Through their determination, the women of Aajibaichi Shala are proving that it is never too late to learn, to grow, and to reclaim a part of life that society once denied them. Their story relates far beyond a small village in Maharashtra; it is proof of the transformative power of education and the enduring spirit of human curiosity.