Bhaurao Patil

Karmaveer Bhaurao Patil (September 22, 1887 - May 9, 1959), an renowned social activist in Maharashtra who is particularly as being the founder of Rayat Shikshan Sanstha was born in a tenacious Jain family to Paigounda Patil and Gangubai at Kumbhoj, Maharastra. Bhaurao played a important role in educating people from backward castes and also the poor masses by coining his philosophy Kamva ani shikha (marathi for Earn and Learn). He laid the foundation of the Rayat Sikhshan Sansthan (Sikshan sanstahn is marathi for educational society) when he started the first hostels at Karle, Satara in 1919. The organization today has 689 hostels and provides education to 442,000 students via its schools and colleges.

Life

Bhaurao was born in a Jain Farmer family at Kumbhoj in Kolhapur district. Bhaurao's father was clerk in revenue department for East India company. Bharao during his childhood days was directly influenced Chatrapati Shahu Majaraj, the King of Kolhapur who was promoter of social equality and education people belonging to backward castes. Eventually his father sent him at kolhapur for further education. Here he got in contact with Satya Shodhak Movement and found another source of inspiration, Mahatma Phule and Maharshi Vitthal Ramji Shinde. Bhaurao garnered political interest and decided to play his role in the fight for Indian freedom struggle by working in other beneficial aspects like public education. While he worked for Ogles, Kirloskars and Coopers he partcipated in activities of Satya Shodhak Samaj. He had realized by then that only remedy for the social evils of those time was education of masses. In the year 1919, he started a hostel where kids from backward castes and poor families could stay and get education, at the same time do work to take care of the expenses. This was the foundation of what later became Rayat Shikshan Sansthan

As Bhaurao started working on his education for the masses, Gandhiji had also launched the freedom for Indian independence. During a public meeting in 1921, Bhaurao happened to come across Gandhiji at Mumbai. He was highly impressed by Gandhi's appearance in a lion cloth and his philosophy of Khadi. Following this encounter Bhaurao decided to adopt Khadi attire and follow Gandhian principles in everday living. Eventually he vowed and saw it to completion, establishment of 101 schools in Gandhi's name.

Rayat Education Society

While working as an employee in the kirloskar factory at Kolhapur, Bhaurao got involved in working for Satyashodhak Samaj. In a concil of Satyashodhak Samaj, held at Karle near Karad, a resolution was passed that in order to run SatyaShodhak Movement successfully, it is necessary that they must educate the Bahujan Samaj. Accordingly, Bhaurao Patil established Rayat Shikshan Sanstha at Karle on October 4,1919 on the auspicious day of Ashok Vijaya Dashami. This society was specially meant for the children of masses, so it was named Rayat (marathi word for masses). During his life-time, the Sanstha had 38 cosmopolitan boardings, 578 voluntary schools, 6 training colleges, 108 secondary schools and 3 Colleges

Awards

Government of India gave him Padma Bhushan in 1959. The university gave him D.Litt in the same year.

References

* [http://www.indianpost.com/viewstamp.php/Alpha/B/BHAURAO%20PATIL Karmaveer Bhaurao Patil, India Post stamp]
* [http://satara.nic.in/htmldocs/prominet_personalities2.htm Bhaurao Patil's Photo]
* [http://www.rayatshikshan.edu/sanstha.asp The growth and development of the Sanstha]