Savitri Devi Dalmia—affectionately known as Sabo—carried forward Varanasi’s timeless legacy of knowledge, kindness, and service to the nation. Her life became a bridge between the ancient wisdom of Kashi and the aspirations of modern India.
A City That Never Stops Learning
Varanasi, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, is known by many names — Kashi, Banaras, and the City of Light.
But the light that shines brightest here is not from lamps or ghats — it is the light of knowledge.
For thousands of years, Varanasi has been India’s great center of learning. Long before universities existed, wise teachers called rishis taught students on the ghats, under trees, or in quiet ashrams. They discussed the mysteries of the universe, the meaning of life, and the laws of nature.
From those ancient times to today’s classrooms at Banaras Hindu University (BHU), the flame of learning has never gone out. Kashi remains a place where old and new ideas meet — where science and spirituality walk together.
Among the many people who kept that flame alive was Savitri Devi Dalmia, lovingly called Sabo. Her story shows how one woman’s dream helped many others to study and succeed.
A Family of Knowledge and Kindness
Sabo was born in 1934 in Kachori Gali, a famous lane in Varanasi. Her family, the Kannaurias, was part of a respected community of merchants. But these merchants were not just businesspeople — they were thinkers, readers, and supporters of education and freedom.
In the 1940s, India was full of hope and struggle. The freedom movement was growing, and many families in Banaras took part in it. The people of Kachori Gali lived among printing presses, bookshops, and small schools that spread both knowledge and patriotism.
In those narrow lanes, you could hear temple bells in the morning, the hum of students reading in courtyards, and the lively talk of people discussing the nation’s future.
Businessmen talked about swadeshi (using Indian goods), teachers inspired students with ideas of independence, and women quietly worked to educate young girls.
This was the world in which little Sabo grew up — surrounded by learning, courage, and the spirit of India.
Kachori Gali – The Heartbeat of Banaras
In the mid-20th century, near Kachori Gali
The air of Kachori Gali was filled with the aroma of ghee, ink, and purpose.
In the mid-20th century, Kachori Gali was much more than a busy street. It was like a living library of Indian culture.
People visited its shops not just to buy sweets or books but to exchange ideas.
Many great minds lived or worked nearby.
Bharatendu Harishchandra, the father of modern Hindi literature, once walked these lanes.
Jaishankar Prasad, the famous poet, and Raja Shivprasad Sitare Hind, a reformer and scholar, were also part of Banaras’s intellectual world.
Old printing presses printed nationalist magazines and Hindi books. Posters on walls announced public talks and student gatherings. Inside homes, elders discussed politics and education late into the night.
This was where Sabo first learned what made Banaras special — its belief that education was not only for success, but for service to the nation.
Education and Girls in Those Days
Even though the people of Banaras valued learning, girls’ education was still limited.
Most girls studied only at home, learning reading, writing, and basic skills. A few went to small schools started by social reformers.
But things were slowly changing. Annie Besant, a British woman who became one of India’s great freedom supporters, founded Hindu College and later helped promote girls’ education in the city.
In Kachori Gali itself, a girls’ school had opened. This was where young Savitri Devi (Sabo) studied. She loved learning and showed great curiosity. But because of social customs, she couldn’t continue her studies beyond the basic level.
Still, the dream of education stayed alive in her heart. She promised herself that one day, she would help other girls get the chance she never had.
Marriage and a New Journey
Late Lakshminivas Dalmia & Late Savitri Devi
Sabo was married at a young age to Shri Lakshmi Niwas Dalmia, a respected member of the well-known Dalmia family.
The Dalmias were not just industrialists — they were nation-builders. They believed business should help India progress. During the freedom movement, they supported leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, and Madan Mohan Malaviya.
After marriage, Sabo moved into Dalmia Bhawan in Varanasi. The house became a meeting place for great personalities of that era — Gandhi, Nehru, Tagore, Sarojini Naidu, Annie Besant, and others.
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Information is available regarding the visits and stays of Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Annie Besant, Rabindranath Tagore, Madan Mohan Malaviya, Sarojini Naidu, Shiv Prasad Gupta, Bhagwan Das, J.B. Kripalani, and Sucheta Kripalani at the Dalmia Bhawan ( Sucheta Kripalani was India’s first female Chief Minister, serving as the head of the Uttar Pradesh government from 1963 to 1967.)
I have already written a separate post about the history of Dalmia Bhavan, a little while back. Consider visiting it if you want to dig deeper. Below is the link.
Living in such an inspiring environment, Sabo’s love for education grew stronger. She realized that the best way to serve her country was to help educate its daughters.
Imagine the scene:
Inside those walls, discussions about India’s future took place, plans for schools and reforms were made, and dreams for an independent, educated nation were shared.
A Vision Takes Shape – The Dream of Science for All
In those years, even after India’s independence, there were few opportunities for girls to study science.
The Women’s College at Banaras Hindu University (BHU) did not yet have a building for science studies.
Sabo noticed this gap and decided to act.
She worked to establish a Science Bhawan (Science Building) for girls at BHU.
With the help of her family, she donated funds to build what became known as the Savitri Devi Dalmia Vigyan Bhawan.
It was not just a building of brick and stone — it was a doorway to new possibilities for young women.
Now, girls could study subjects like Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Mathematics — subjects that once seemed out of reach.
The building soon became a center for scientific learning and research, where curiosity met courage.
A Home for Learning – The Savitri Devi Dalmia Vigyan Bhawan
Today, the Savitri Devi Dalmia Vigyan Bhawan is one of the most important parts of the Women’s College at BHU.
Thousands of students study here every year, working in modern laboratories and classrooms that carry Sabo’s name and spirit.
They study subjects like Physics, Chemistry, Botany, Zoology, Geology, Geography, and Computer Science. Many of them go on to become teachers, scientists, and innovators — continuing the legacy that Sabo began.
For these students, the building is not just a place to study. It is a reminder that education can transform lives — especially when one person dares to dream for others.
The Dalmia Family’s Tradition of Service
The Dalmia family’s contributions to education did not stop with Sabo. Over the years, they have supported many institutions, especially Banaras Hindu University.
They also built a 425-room hostel for students, ensuring that young minds could study comfortably and safely.
Through their philanthropy, the Dalmias proved that real progress comes when business success helps build a better society.
The Birth of “Sabo” – A New Chapter in Legacy
Many years after Sabo’s passing, her son, Mr. Kunal Dalmia, chairman of the Kahm Industry Group, decided to honor his mother uniquely.
He envisioned transforming the historic Dalmia Bhawan into a luxury heritage hotel named “Sabo.”
But this hotel would not just be about comfort — it would be about connection.
Through its design and purpose, “Sabo” would celebrate the spirit of Varanasi — its learning, its spirituality, and its role in India’s freedom movement.
Mr. Dalmia describes it beautifully:
“Sabo will be a gateway to Varanasi’s heritage. Guests won’t just stay here—they’ll connect with the city’s past and present.”
In this way, the Dalmia family continues to weave the threads of history, education, and service into modern life.
Banaras: The Eternal University
In 1870, renowned scholar Bapu Dev Shastri taught Indian astrology to his students at Queen’s College.
When we walk through the lanes of Varanasi today, we still see what Sabo saw — a city alive with learning.
Temples teach devotion, ghats teach patience, and universities teach science and philosophy.
From Bapu Dev Shastri, who taught astrology in 1870, to modern professors at BHU, the story of education in Kashi is one continuous river of wisdom.
The same river that inspired the Vedas now inspires research papers.
The same city that shaped Kabir and Ravidas continues to shape future scientists and thinkers.
In this way, Banaras remains what it has always been — a living classroom, a city that teaches through its very air.
Sabo’s Enduring Message
Sabo’s story teaches us that education is not only about books — it’s about belief.
She believed that every girl should have the right to learn, to dream, and to build her own future.
Even though she couldn’t study beyond school, she turned that limitation into her mission.
Through her, many others walked the path she once wished to travel.
Her message is simple but powerful:
“If you cannot reach the stars, help someone else reach them.”
Because of her, thousands of young women have studied science, found careers, and contributed to society. Her dream lives on in every student who walks into the Savitri Devi Dalmia Vigyan Bhawan.
Epilogue: A Bridge Between Eras
As the new Sabo Hotel rises from the historic walls of Dalmia Bhawan, it connects two worlds — the Banaras of the past and the India of the future.
For travelers, it offers not just a place to rest but a story to remember.
For students, it stands as a symbol of what dedication can achieve.
And for the Dalmia family, it is a living tribute to a woman whose light still shines in every corner of the city she loved.
In the end, Savitri Devi Dalmia’s life forms a perfect circle — from Kachori Gali’s humble classrooms to BHU’s grand science halls, and finally to a modern space that honors her spirit.
Like the city of Kashi itself, her story reminds us that learning never dies — it only takes new forms.
As long as people seek knowledge with faith and compassion, her flame — and the eternal light of Varanasi — will continue to glow.
Thank you for a very interesting and inspiring paean to an extraordinary woman whose aim to provide education for girls resonates with my thinking.
Joanna
My mother indeed deserves the recognition and I am happy that you have investigated and written about her. Thank you.