Guruvarya Baburao G. Jagtap was President of Pune Prarthana Samaj during the period 1964 to 1978. He was a devout Prarthana Samajist, a multifaceted educationist and a selfless social worker.

Baburao G. Jagtap, was born to father Ganpatrao, a bailiff (Pattewala) in the Photozinco press, Pune and mother Sarubai, working as house maid. He lost his parents and all the siblings in the plague epidemics during the period from 1897 to 1906. He was brought up by his uncle. As a school boy and college student he also acquired good skills in drawing and cricket. After graduation he studied at Police Training School at Nashik, which fetched him a job of A.D.C. of Her Highness Chimnabai and subsequently A.D.C. of His Highness Sayajirao Gaikwad of the princely state of Vadodara, Gujarat. Sayajirao Maharaj used to call him “Raosaheb”, and so he became known as “Saheb” throughout his life. His inner desire to start an educational institution for masses did not allow him to be satisfied with the majestic job in Vadodara State. The passion for teaching made him leave the lucrative job and go to Pune to plant the sapling of “Shri Shivaji Maratha High School” on the rocks of Shukrawar Peth in Pune, holding a bowl of alms. In the initial period he himself used to carry out all the duties, from cleaning, teaching to administration work, for the school. Under his leadership the institute grew and expanded leaps and bounds. Guruvarya Baburao G. Jagtap also left a lasting impact as the first Indian Principal of the “Shri. Shivaji Preparatory Military School, Pune”, Education Officer of the Princely State of Kolhapur, Pune District Commissioner of Indian Scout and Assistant Director of Social Education Organization Training Center of Mouni University at Gargoti, Maharashtra. He was also the inspiration behind formation of the “Parent Teacher Association” in Pune in 1960.

While in Vadodara, Baburao Ji met Maharshi Vitthal Ramji Shinde in whom he found his Guide-Friend-Philosopher and derived inspiration from him in social work as well as religious thought. He became a follower of Prarthana Samaj. Under the guidance of Maharshi Shinde he started in his school a class for religious education based on the principles of Prarthana Samaj in 1928. This further led to formation of “Family Prayer Circle”. The school teachers, students, their parents and relatives used to join the weekly prayer services of this Circle. Maharshi Shinde, Prataprao and Laxmibai Shinde, Prin. V. K. Joag, Mama Garud, Ganpatrao Shinde, R. G. Shinde, Baburao Jagtap, and other members used to conduct the Upasanas. After the demise of Prin. V. K. Joag Guruvarya Jagtap shouldered the responsibility as the President of Pune Prarthana Samaj. He was also a member of Wai Brahmo Samaj and used to conduct the prayer service there on the foundation day. Guruvarya Jagtap was of the opinion that the work of Prarthana Samaj is not just conducting prayers and sermons but supportive social work is also necessary.

In 1962 Guruvarya Jagtap was elected as the tenth Mayor of Pune Municipal Corporation as the candidate of the apolitical organization “Nagari Sanghatana“. Then he denied use of a car but chose to travel by municipal bus or walk to his office. He was an example of the proverb “Simple living and high thinking”. Selfless Guruvarya Jagtap, for whom service to society was service to God, lived the life of a Rishi, and passed away on 1st October 1978.

Reference:
Marathi article “Guruvarya Baburao G. Jagtap”
By Ujjwala Desai (Daughter of B. G. Jagtap),
in the Souvenir “Manthan”, 114th session at Pune of Brahmo Conference (2004).

– Dr. Sushama Joag