Nanabhai Bhatt (educationist)

Nrusinhprasad Kalidas Bhatt
Born 11 November 1882
Bhavnagar, Gujarat, India
Died 31 December 1961
Bhavnagar, Gujarat, India
Known for Education, Reforms, Rural Welfare, Dakshinamurti, Lokbharti

Nanabhai Bhatt, born Nrusinhprasad Kalidas Bhatt, was an Indian educationist, writer, thinker, and Indian independence activist.

Early years, Dakshinamurti and innovations

Nanabhai was born on November 11, 1882, in Bhavnagar. He completed his M.A. from Shamaldas Arts College in Bhavnagar. He started his career as a principal at a high school in Mahuva, Bhavnagar, followed by as role as a professor at Shamaldas College. Between 1908-1915, the concept and fulfillment of Dakshinamurti Vidhyarthi Bhavan, a residential educational institute, was gradually accomplished. The institute was formally established in 1910.[1]

Nanabhai Bhatt was a great thinker and reformist. His vision, innovations, and contribution towards the cause of education attracted the position of Vice Chancellor at Gujarat Vidyapith, and he served the Vidyapith during 1925-28 as Vice Chancellor of Gujarat Vidyapith. In 1938, he established Gram Dakshinamurti an Institute of Basic Education at Ambala, Sihor Taluka, particularly targeting education in rural areas.

Lokbharti, the University for villagers

Because of his distinguished services and contribution, he became Minister of Education in Saurashtra state, in 1948. And then again, a significant foundation was laid down, and it was in the form of Lok Bharti Gram Vidhyapith at Sanosara, in 1953. Lokbharti, Sanosara is considered a revolutionary university for villagers. It is a unique and innovative concept in India, and it is about passion and dedication wrought up. Lokbharti has inherited the vision and message of Mahatma Gandhi of strong and self-sufficient rural India.

Nanabhai was a contemporary and one of the famous trinity of Bhavnagar with Gijubhai Badheka and Harbhai Trivedi who have left great inspiration and vision in the fields of innovative education, rural welfare, and children's education in India. Nanabhai Bhatt has been the founder of prestigious and unique educational institutions such as Dakshinamurti Vidyarthi Bhavan / Dakshinamurti Vinay Mandir - Bhavnagar, Gram Dakshinamurti - Ambala, and, Lokbharti, situated at Sanosara in Sihor block, Bhavnagar.[2]

Causes, devotion and felicitation

Nanabhai devoted his entire life to the welfare of rural communities and education. He wrote and published several books and publications from 1920 to 1959, focusing on education, religion, humanity, social science, history, self help, and character development. He remained an active 'Satyagrahi' and a freedom fighter for Indian independence movement, and he went to jail several times for his involvement. According to the famous Gujarati writer Manubhai Pancholi, Nanabhai Bhatt also had a good knowledge of ancient Indian literature Upnishads. Remaining a member of Rajya Sabha during 1954-57,[3] Nanabhai Bhatt was awarded Padma Shri in 1960 for "Social Work".

He died on December 31, 1961.

References

  1. ↑ "South Asian Freedom Struggle" (PDF).
  2. ↑ Amaresh Datta. The Encyclopaedia Of Indian Literature (Volume One (A To Devo), Volume 1. Sahitya Akademi. p. 473. ISBN 978-81-260-1803-1.
  3. ↑ "Alphabetical List Of All Members Of Rajya Sabha Since 1952".
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