In the year 1909, on the Consecration day of the newly built Harimandir at Pune, Dr. Sir Ramkrishna Gopal Bhandarkar inducted a young man, Vishwanath Keshav Joag, into the Pune Prarthana Samaj. After listening to the motivating talks on Religious reform by Dr. Bhandarkar, the young man had bid adieu to idolatry and decided to choose Brahmo way of life. Throughout his life V. K. Joag was a true follower of Prarthana Samaj.

Born on March 9, 1888 in an affluent family at Tasgaon in Sangli district of Maharashtra, V. K. Joag received his school and college education in Pune. In his B. A. degree examination, he received the coveted Ellis Prize in English language. After completing M.A. in Philosophy, he joined Fergusson College as a young Professor. Having an excellent academic career, he was an outstanding teacher and a strict administrator. He contributed significantly to the development of the College library and attracted funds for the same from Wadia brothers from Mumbai. He was greatly influenced by socio- economic- religious thoughts of Justice Mahadeo Govind Ranade.

Later, due to the ideological differences with the Governing Council of the Deccan Education Society, he was removed from the College in 1932. Even in that situation, he completed his course teaching in the Harimandir of Pune Prarthana Samaj so that students were not at loss. In July 1932, he founded the Modern Education Society and the Wadia College from the generous donation from Wadia brothers, in East Pune. The College was in the midst of cosmopolitan society and accordingly Wadia College became a symbol of cosmopolitan culture. Later he founded Ruparel College and New Law College in Mumbai. Prin. Joag had envisioned the importance of technical education, and, therefore, started the first Institute of Technology in Pune in the year 1950. All these have become landmark institutes today. He provided a model academic leadership which needs to be followed even today. While working as Principal, he never ever missed his lectures. He was always sympathetic to the poor students and initiated the ‘Earn while Learn’ programme for the first time in Pune. He always spoke of ‘my colleagues and me’ and never took the credit of good deeds all by himself.

He became President of Pune Prarthana Samaj in 1941 and guided the Samaj till his death in 1963. Before that he worked as Secretary of the Samaj. His attire in the Samaj was dhoti, long coat and black cap. On the College campus, he would invariably be in his blue or grey three piece suit and a felt hat. He had a very impressive personality. Students used to call him ‘Papa Joag’. He never wanted to miss a single Sunday Upasana except while in Mumbai for the University work. He was a senate member of the then Bombay University and presented the University budget for twenty five years.

He was a devout Prarthana Samajist and used to conduct Upasanas, Keertans and give religious lectures in Mumbai, Pune, Wai and other places. He solemnised many weddings in Prarthana Samaj.

Prin. V. K. Joag left this world on December 31, 1963. His students and Colleagues have erected his bust in Wadia College. It bears a plaque with the following words : “If you want to seek his monument, look around.”

– Dr. Dilip S. Joag
(Grandson of Prin. V. K. Joag)