Ganpatrao Bapuji Shinde

One of the forefathers and at the same time one of the loyal practitioners of tenets of Pune Prarthana Samaj was Ganpatrao Bapuji Shinde, born on 3rd December 1881. He was a well-loved family member of Pune Prarthana Samaj family till his death in the year 1976.

Shri. G. B. Shinde was a sensitive soul; who could envision Godliness in every creation of His and empathise with all sections of the society. Throughout his life he moved freely in all the strata spreading a message of goodness and simple living by the Prarthana Samaj principles.

Even though his contribution to social service was substantial, he shunned publicity. On another plane he was an accomplished poet. He had impressed his contemporaries with his excellence in poetry and acted as a nucleus to many literary meetings at his residence. His poem “All seems enchanting outwardly but…I am pining inside…” in Marathi, is still popular in the 20th century.

He spent his life, his resources and efforts in making Pune Prarthana Samaj’s foundation durable and strong, spreading the good message of the Samaj and ensuring its continuation in next generations. He did it himself by becoming a symbol of how life should be lived, so whenever he spoke there was a ring of truth and conviction. That made his Upasanas and discourses memorable experiences for young and budding Samajists.

He felt that poor students stood no chance of good education, as they could not afford to live in Pune City for the same. So for the students from depressed classes he started Shivaji Maratha Free Boarding in Pune at his residence. Students were admitted irrespective of caste and creed and encouraged to pursue scholastic excellence. This exemplary work inspired the benevolent King Shahu Maharaj to follow suit by starting a Free Boarding in Kolhapur. The message of equality irrespective of low or high caste birth was indeed revolutionary. But for this noble work he had to spend on his own, use his residential premises even though it was a place on rent. When he ran short of place due to more number of students he founded the Shivaji Maratha Free Boarding at Shukrawar Peth, Pune. The cost for the project was funded out of his own savings and his beloved wife’s ancestral bequeathal. Mrs. Laxmibai Ganpatrao Shinde had an affluent and successful father named Mr. Babaji Sakharam Garud. His untimely death left money to Mrs. Laxmibai who identified herself with Ganpatrao’s high ideals and social services. She spent the amount on his projects like this Free Boarding for students. Not only that, Mrs. Laxmibai and Ganpatrao Shinde kept their own residence always open to any needy person irrespective of caste and creed. It was indeed an oasis in the dry and hot pragmatic world for all and sundry, be it a tuberculosis patient needing rest, nutrition and medical supervision or mofussil people who had work in Pune and no place to stay. Shri. Ganpatrao’s good friend Raobahadur P. C. Patil used to say, “You need not wear saffron robes and ash on forehead to become Sadhu. Look at our Ganpatrao, he is an ascetic right in the middle of his domesticity!” Ganpatrao never aspired to amass fame or wealth in all his endeavours, he only strived to help out as many God’s creations as possible.

In living a simple life he created space for his artistic pursuits. Poetry was his relaxation and fountain of joy. He needed no more than Upasanas and company of poets, writers to keep his spirits up. The devastating flood of 1961, the Panshet Dam burst, washed away all his worldly belongings. His priceless collection of more than 5000 books was gone; which he grieved more than his loss of shelter and valuables. He sought solace in the company of friends asking of no material redressal for his great loss. Mr. Vi. Da. Ghate and Mrs. Anandibai Shirke, both great writers, used to drop in at his humble new residence or “hut” as it was called, for literary chats. Another frequent visitor was Mr. K. Y. Bhandarkar who conducted many Upasanas with the Shinde family. Mr. K. Y. Bhandarkar conducting the family Upasana at Ganpatrao’s residence was like adding sugar to milk and has left a long lasting impression on the youngsters.

Mr. Ganpatrao B. Shinde also worked shoulder to shoulder with the great reformist and social worker Maharshi Vitthal Ramji Shinde, for the depressed classes. He remained active in the work of Pune Prarthana Samaj notwithstanding his advancing age. During the centenary of Pune Prarthana Samaj the then famous writer and literary critic Mr. S. K. Kshirsagar lauded Ganpatrao’s exemplary life and his work in Pune’s newspapers.

Ganpatrao’s Upasanas were a blissful experience for the listeners. His faith in God’s Unity, in presence of God in things small and big; in the beauty of simple life lived well, reflected in his voice as he sang the Bhajans of poet-saints. His explanations of Bhajans were from his heart and caught the minds of intellectuals as well who attended the Upasanas. He lived the principles of Prarthana Samaj, which inspired others to join in. His days used to end with a simple hymn and thoughts of the poet-saints who illuminate the path to God. The bonus of all the above was evident in his earning a good long life of 96 years with all his intellect, sense of humour and interest in day’s offering intact till the very end. He never missed the weekly Upasanas come rain or storm. His true legacy is that after two generations too his family forms the active core of Pune Prarthana Samaj. We salute his spirit.

– Anjali Vijayrao Gaikwad and Dr. Anand Keshavrao Shinde
(Grand children of Late G. B. Shinde)

(The article is taken from : “Manthan”, Souvenir, 114th session, Pune,
Brahmo Conference 2004)