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History of VJ Patel
Freedom fighter, teacher and principal: the man who gave 35 years of his life to Charotar Education Society.
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The Life of Shri Vitthalbhai J. Patel
Shri Vitthalbhai J. Patel, Vitthal Kaka to generations of students, was a quiet, modest man who strengthened the roots of Charotar Education Society. His pupils still remember how well he taught, how quickly he spotted talent, and how much of his life he gave to the students of Charotar.
He listened patiently, but he was firm. He expected students to work hard and behave well, and he made school a place where fun and duty went together. Students, parents and colleagues respected him for it.
Early Life
Born on 13 January 1919 in Pij, in Nadiad taluka, he grew up to become one of the finest teachers the region has known.
He went to primary school in Pij and to secondary school at A.J. High School, Vaso.
He studied further in Vadodara under the University of Bombay, and qualified as a physical education teacher (Vyayam Visharad) and with an S.T.C. teaching certificate.
Freedom Fighter
- He answered Gandhiji's call to Quit India in 1942.
- He worked in an underground squad that seized government mail and money orders and set post on fire.
- He was arrested in 1943 and spent six months in Sabarmati Jail, Ahmedabad.
A Life in Teaching
- 1944: joined D.N. High School as a teacher.
- 1945: also became a hostel warden and the physical education teacher.
- 1950: became a volunteer of the Society, one of the people who run it.
- 1964-65: taught American students in English for a year at Bright School, Rochester, USA, on the Indo-US Fulbright Teacher Exchange. He was much admired there.
- 1966-67: received the Government of India award for the best teacher.
- 1968: became Principal of D.N. High School.
- 1977-79: set up the commerce, arts and science streams of the D.N. higher secondary section and was their honorary principal.
- 1979-88: Honorary Secretary, Charutar Vidya Mandal, Vallabh Vidyanagar.
- 1979-92: Secretary, Sardar Patel Education Trust, Anand.
- From 1986: Chairman, Sardar Patel Seva Samaj, Nadiad.
- From 1989: President, Pij Kelavani Mandal.
- 1991-92: Project officer for the Bhaikaka Chair at Sardar Patel University.
- Member of the advisory committee of Pramukh Swami Medical College, Karamsad.
- In all he served CES for 35 years, from 1944 to 1979: teacher, chief hostel warden, headmaster, principal, secretary and an active member of the governing body. Above everything, he shaped the lives of his students.
- He also helped start and guide high schools in Ashi, Radhu, Nayaka, Ajarpura, Pij and Bharoda.
The person behind the legacy
Remembering Vitthalbhai J. Patel
An educator, freedom fighter and lifelong guide to generations of students.
An educator
Teacher, hostel warden, principal, volunteer, secretary and governing-body member at CES across 35 years.
One of Charotar's finest teachers and ablest administrators.
A brilliant scholar and a true humanitarian.
A life of service
A committed Gandhian and a Quit India freedom fighter.
A model hostel warden who lived by service, simplicity and discipline.
Pure-hearted, and never stopped working.
A guiding presence
Honest to the core, and a father figure to his students.
A dynamic administrator who looked far ahead.
A clear, strong and courteous speaker.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was V.J. Patel?
Shri Vitthalbhai J. Patel, a freedom fighter, teacher and principal who gave 35 years of his life to Charotar Education Society.
What does this page cover?
His early life, his part in the freedom movement and his life in teaching.