Ghate Legacy

The Inspiration

मराठीत वाचा...

Shri Balwant Rao Girirao Ghate (1902 – 1989); fondly known as Anna Saheb or Anna, was born in a well-to-do family in erstwhile Nizam state. Anna Saheb; a bright student who pursued the study of law and worked in the judiciary of Nizam state. He was committed to social causes for which he took an early retirement at the age of fifty five. He nurtured his passion for varkari sampradaya. His contribution to the research on literature and philosophy of Saint Eknath maharaj is a pioneering piece of work. He struck a right balance of worldly life and spirituality in the wake of the teachings and philosophy of Saint Eknath.

Annasaheb, my grandfather, is my inspiration to pay back to the society. I pray to seek his wisdom in the pursuit of betterment of the society. I hope that the brief life story of Anna Saheb presented in this write up will serve as an inspiration for the readers too.

Girish Ghate

Professional Life

Anna Saheb was born in 1902 in a well-to-do family in erstwhile Nizam state. After completing his schooling in Nutan Vidyalay Gulbarga and later moved to Pune. He joined in Ferguson College and thereafter studied in Law College. Spotting his studious nature, his father; Girirao Anna chose to relinquish his flourishing law practice in Gulbarga and moved to Pune to support the education of his son. At the age of twenty three Anna Saheb completed his degree in law and returned to Gulbarga for practicing as advocate in session court. After a short stint as practicing advocate, he joined as judge in the service of Nizam state. In no time he earned his reputation for fair and unprejudiced judgements. During his tenure in the judiciary, he served mainly in Marathwada region of the state. He was amongst very few respected Hindu officers in the erstwhile Nizam state who were given important assignments. After the merger of marathwada in Bombay state in 1956, he opted for an early retirement at the age of 55 and settled in Aurangabad.

This was the beginning of a new glorious era of his life to pursue his passion for the varkari sampradaya and commitment to educate and uplift the masses.

Eknath Sanshodhan Mandir

Anna Saheb’s father, Girirao Anna sowed the seeds in him towards the love for varkari sampradaya. Girirao Aanna was himself a scholar of varkari sampradaya and was noted for his speeches on saint Tukaram Maharaj in Vasant Vyakhyan Maala in Pune; a renowned lecture series attended by great thinkers of that time. Anna Saheb was deeply influenced by the literature and philosophy of saint Eknath Maharaj during his judicial service in Paithan. He vowed to adopt the message and philosophy of saint Eknath Maharaj and spread it as a mission for rest of his life.

Anna Saheb along with renowned historian; shri Setumadhav Pagadi founded Eknath Sanshodhan Mandir in 1951 in Aurangabad. Institute’s mission was to revive the literature and philosophy of saint Eknath Maharaj, research and publication of literature on varkari sampradaya, arrange lectures on philosophy etc.

Magnitude of the work carried out by the institute can be gauged by the acknowledgement and appreciation of Maharashtra Government. Then Honourable President of India, Shri Rajendra Prasad during his visit to Aurangabad invited Anna Saheb and Shri Setumadhav Pagadi to understand about Eknath Sanshodhan Mandir and greatly appreciated the work done by the institute. Then Chief Minister Yashwant Rao Chavhan, Chief Minister Vasant Rao Naik, education minister Madhukar Rao Choudhari visited the institute and appreciated the work.

Anna Saheb was appointed as the chairman of the Government committee appointed by the government to revive Bhavarth Ramayan; book written by saint Eknath Maharaj. He was also appointed as the court receiver of Nath mandir trust of Paithan, an honourable post which he held till the end of his life.

Education & literacy

Anna Saheb strongly believed in education to be the foundation of humanity. He not only insisted and supported education of his kith & kin, but made valued contribution in the field of education.

With the help of local Sanskrit scholar; shri Ashok Deo, he started Shrinath Sanskrit Prashala in Aurangabad. The school ran Sanskrit teaching classes as well as learning of four Vedas. Inspired by his project, few more schools came forth to run Sanskrit classes on similar lines in Marathwada. Anna Saheb was nominated to Maharashtra Government Sanskrit development committee for a long time.

Anna Saheb encouraged a group of women lead by his wife; Damayanti bai Ghate to start a school by the name Bal Dnyan Mandir in 1964. The school soon gained popularity as one of the most reputed schools in Aurangabad. Today with more than 1000 students currently studying in the school. Anna Saheb’s daughter Dr. Kumudini Kudrimoti was instrumental in growth of the school.

Anna Saheb inspired Shri Kalbhat in village Yavali to start a school for rural education. Anna Saheb’s sons Prabhakar Rao and Vitthal Rao made significant contribution in seeking government permission and formation of school. The school formally commissioned just after the demise of Anna Saheb in 1989. The school was named after him in his memory. The school has been providing free education to over 250 needy students year on year.

Social Commitment

Anna Saheb hailed from a small village by name Yavali; in taluka Barshi, district Solapur. Although Anna Saheb lived in different places for his education and while in professional life, his love for Yavali was unabated. He remained in close contact with the village by visiting very often. He started prabhat pheri in the village to create togetherness and inculcate culture of bhakti in the village. The program was so appreciated by the villagers that it continued for 25 years without any break. His contribution in upliftment of the village was unmatched. Construction of samaj mandir, reconstruction of Vitthal mandir, electrification of the village, starting secondary school in the village are few of his contributions to the village. His two sons, Prabhakar Rao and Vitthal Rao wholeheartedly supported Anna Saheb in bringing in the reforms in the village.

His social commitment was not only for Yavali village but extended wherever he lived during his professional life. Raichur district faced unprecedented draught while he was posted in Kushtagi, Raichur. He took initiative and started number of centres for providing food for the needy. Over 1500 needy were provided food every day for three to four months till the draught was over. His gesture was appreciated across the society for a long time.

Influence

Anna Saheb always attributed his desire to work for the social cause to his interaction with great philosophers and thinkers.

He had a great influence of Acharya Vinoba Bhave, with whom he had several opportunities to interact. Vinoba ji stayed at Anna Saheb’s house while he was touring Marathwada. Anna Saheb contributed to bhoodan movement of Vinobaji by relinquishing part of his land in Yavali.

Anna Saheb had a great love and affection for renowned philosopher of varkari sampradaya, shri Dhunda Maharaj Deglurkar. Both had several occasions to work together and interact on bhakti marg. Shri Dhunda Maharaj lived with Anna Saheb for several days during his illness.

Anna Saheb was fortunate to have opportunity to interact with number of scholars and philosophers of his time including Sonopant Dandekar, Gurudev Ranade, Mahadev shastri Joshi, Pandurang shastri Athavale and many more.

Annasaheb’s saga is not complete without the mention of his wife Damayanti Bai popularly known as Bai in her close circles. She stood like a solid rock behind Anna Saheb through the entire walk of his life supporting every endeavour of his cheerfully and willingly. Anna Saheb’s legacy of noble values and selfless service continues till date by his blessings.

Girish Ghate

On the first death anniversary of Anna Saheb, a book was published by the name "Justice Balawant Girirao Ghate - Smritigandh" which was co-edited by Shri Prabhakar Rao Ghate and published by Eknath Sanshodhan Mandir. References in this article have been drawn from this book.

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