Prarthana Samaj was founded by Aatma Ram Pandurang on the inspirations ofKeshav Chandra Sen in 1867 in Bombay. Mahadev Govind Ranade joined the society in 1869. The movement was started for religious and social reform in Maharashtra and was much more like Brahmo Samaj. The main objectives of this society were disapproval of caste system, raising the age of marriage for both males and females, widow remarriage and women’s education. The socio-reform movement of Ranade was continued successfully until the end of the 19th century. Dhondo Keshav Karve and Vishnu Shastri were two other followers of him in social reform programmes. Ranade and Karve started widow remarriage movement and also founded ‘Vidhwa Ashram Sangh’ to provide education to widows. Ranade is mentioned as the “Father of cultural renaissance in Western India.” ....Read more