Pandurang Sadashiv Sane (24 December 1899 to 11 June 1950), affectionately known as Sane Guruji (Guruji means "Teacher") to his students and followers was a famous Marathi author, teacher, social activist, and freedom fighter from Maharashtra, India. He is referred as National Teacher of India
Sane was born on December 24, 1899 to Sadashivrao Sane and Yashodabai Sane in Palgad town, in Ratnagiri district of the Konkan region of rural Maharashtra. He was their second son and third child. Sadashivrao was a broker (called khot in Marathi) who evaluated and collected village crops on behalf of the government and got to keep 25% of those collections as his share. The family was relatively well off during Sane's early childhood but their financial condition rapidly deteriorated, leading to their house being confiscated by government authorities.
Sane completed his primary education in Palgad Village of Dapoli Taluka in Ratnagiri district. After his primary education, he was sent to Pune to live with his maternal uncle for further education. However, he did not like his stay in Pune and returned to Palgad to stay at a missionary school in Dapoli, about 6 miles from Palgad. While at Dapoli, he was quickly recognized as an intelligent student with good command over Marathi and Sanskrit languages. He was also interested in poetry. While he was in school at Dapoli, the financial condition at home deteriorated rapidly and he could not afford to continue his education. Like his elder brother, he considered taking up a job to help with the family finances. However, on the recommendation of one of his friends, and with support from his parents, he enrolled at the Aundh Institution which provided free education and food for poor students. Here at Aundh he suffered many hardships but continued his education. However, a plague broke out in Aundh and all students were sent back home. Back in Palgad, one night he overheard his parent's conversation in which his father suspected his dedication to education. Enraged and hurt by his father's suspicion, he immediately traveled to Pune and enrolled as a student at the Nutan Marathi Vidyalaya.
Life was not easy for Sane in Pune either, and he had to subsist on limited meals. However, he continued to excel in academics and graduated 10th grade in 1918 after which he enrolled for further education in New Poona College (now known as Sir Parshurambhau College). He completed his B.A. and M.A. degrees from New Poona in Marathi and Sanskrit literature.
Sane's father was a freedom fighter. Sane Guruji was also very much influenced by his mother. He graduated with a degree in Marathi and Sanskrit and earned a Master's degree in philosophy,then he decided to opt for teaching profession. Guruji worked as teacher in pratap high school in Amalner town. He chose to teach in the rural schools, forgoing a perhaps larger salary he could have earned by teaching wealthier students. He also worked as a hostel warden. Sane was a gifted orator, captivating audiences with his impassioned speeches on civil rights and justice. While in school he published a magazine named Vidyarthi which was very popular among the students. He inculcated cultural and moral values in the student community. Sane guruji was very popular in students. Students loved him a lot and guruji loved students a lot.
After the Dandi March conducted by Mahatma Gandhi in 1930, he resigned as a teacher and joined the Indian nationalist movement. He was imprisoned by the British in the Dhule Jail for more than 15 months for his work in the Quit India Movement. Sane recognized the importance of the movement, and worked tirelessly for independence, often closely with Gandhi himself. Vinoba Bhave was in the same jail where Sane was imprisoned. Bhave used to deliver a lecture on the Bhagavad Gita on each Sunday morning. Sane took notes and wrote the famous book Geeta Pravachane.
In Tiruchi Jail he learned Tamil and Bengali. He recognised the importance of learning Indian languages, particularly in the context of the problem of national integration; and started the Antar Bharati movement.
He has about 73 books to his credit.Mostly He wrote For children
His famous works in Marathi literature include Shyamchi Aai (Shyam's mother), Dhadapadanari Mule (Struggling Children) and Shyam.
The Rashtra Seva Dal has built a national memorial in the name of Sane at Vadghar Taluka Mangoan, Raigad district, Maharashtra. It is being developed as a camping ground for students since 2001.
Dalits (untouchables) were not allowed then to enter temples and worship. Sane fought for the right of Dalits to worship in temples. Sane became incredibly disillusioned with Indian societal rigidities by the time of his death. A street in Mumbai has since been named in his honor, and an Indian stamp has been created bearing his portrait.
He died on 11 June 1950. It is commonly believed that he had been depressed for some time and took his own life.