प्रेरक जीवनियाँ

(यह पृष्ठ  इस संस्था से जुड़े गुरूजनों व  विद्यार्थियों का जीवन परिचय देने का एक प्रयास है जिनसे हम प्रेरणा ले सकें । आपसे आग्रह है कि कृपया अपनी स्वयं की या अपने किसी साथी की सफ़लता की जानकारी हमें puvisa.vbpc@gmail.com पर उपलब्ध करावें ताकि हम उसे यहाँ प्रकाशित कर सकें ।) 

(1) श्री चन्द्र शेखर लाल अग्रवाल,       प्रथम प्राचार्य (1956 - 1977)

 Life Story of Shri Chandra Shekhar Lal Agrawala  (Shri CSL Agrawala)

(First Principal 1956 - 1977))

 

Shri CSL Agrawala was born in July 1919 in village 'Umaria' (M.P.) situated on main railway line between station Katni and Shahdol Stations. The whole belt is very good quality coal producing area and Umaria is well known for it.  He was the eldest amongst five brothers and had one sister elder to him. He obtained his primary school education in Govt. school at Umaria. Since his childhood he was intelligent and good in studies, therefore after high school he had to shift to "Rewa" for further education and after doing his B.Sc. in Science, Maths, with high ranking he was sponsored by 'Maharaja Gulab Singh' of  REWA STATE for his engineering education at Engineering College Patna-Bihar.           

After doing his B.E. Civil in the year 1941 he was appointed as civil engineer by Government of Rewa State and was posted at REWA. Rewa State was a privi purse state in the then "Vindhya Pradesh". Maharaja Gulab Singh, the ruling king, was very soon impressed by the work, behavior and intelligence of Shri Agrawala and therefore he appointed him as one of his advisors in his council of advisors. It was an honour to any individual to be a member of King’s advisory council.               

To his credit, he had built a 10 km. cement concrete road in Rewa which was first of its kind. The king was impressed so much that he gave the responsibility of constructing an AIR-STRIP in Satna-situated at 50 km. away from Rewa to Shri Agrawala.              

As the time passed by, he was promoted to the post of X-En and was posted at Distt. Head Quarter-'Shahdol'  in the year 1945. Soon after the partition of India in 1947, The "Vindhya Pradesh" was merged with Madhya Pradesh and also privy purse of the ruling kings was abolished. In this turbulent period lot of engineers were relocated by the ruling Ministers who posted their relations to senior positions. Since Mr. Agrawala was a man of principles, he could not compromise with this situation and resigned from the post of X-En and joined BHU Engineering College as a faculty at Varanasi. But very soon, in the year 1950, he was appointed as Asst. Professor (Civil), in MBM Engineering College at Jodhpur (Rajasthan).  As it was a new College, he had ample opportunity to do work and establish the department to attain new heights.              

In the year 1956, Government of India decided to commence special educational institutions in the country at select places so as to serve the rural areas. Under National Rural Higher Education Programme 10 Institutes were opened in the country out of which one was established in Udaipur (Raj.) This institute was allotted to Vidya Bhawan Society Udaipur. There were two courses, one was 3 year diploma in civil engineering and second course was diploma in rural services.

Sh. CSL Agrawala was offered the position of Principal of Civil Engineering Department by the management of Vidya Bhawan Society. Initially, he came on deputation for a period of 5 years in 1956 and developed the Civil Engineering Department and established necessary infrastructure of civil engineering diploma course. Since the department was established by CSL Agrawala, he developed an interest in the institute and opted permanently for the services of Vidya Bhawn Society. After some time the Society decided to open a production center in wood work which was established by him. This center became a part of Community Polytechnic for transfer of technology in rural areas (Govt. of India scheme) which is still working.

Sh. Agrawala had innovative approach and therefore he could develop various programmes & schemes for students with villagers and explained the advantages of technology adoption in rural area. This approach made him very popular amongst students, staff and village people of the area. He was highly respected by the students. Mr. Agrawala was strict disciplinarian and precise in methodology that is why the working of polytechnic was very smooth and efficient. It brought the institute one among the best in state.             

Sh. C.S.L. Agrawala had a great affection with the Institute and students, resulting into establishment of Old Boys Association which is still functioning. Sh. CSL Agrawala after completing services of 21 years breathed his last on 22nd Jan. 1977.

Shri Agrawala is remembered as a strong practical man and the polytechnic is functioning on the footings established by him. His contribution in the name and fame and quality of students of this institution will always be remembered. His students remember him with great respect.

Curtsy -   N.N. Agrawala, Udaipur (Raj.)

(Son of Shri CSL Agrawala)

 

 

(2)  श्री सी. आर, भीमाराव       द्वितीय प्राचार्य  (1977 - 1983)

LIFE STORY OF SHRI C. R. BHIMA RAO, Second Principal (1977 -83)

 

Born in Bangalore to a conservative family in the year 1925, Shri CRB Rao, went through immense struggle in his early years, but his determination and pursuit for good education did not deter him. After graduating in Bachelor of Science from Bangalore's famous Central college, he went on to pursue further studies by completing BE in Civil Engineering from BMS College of Engineering in year 1954.

Being the eldest son of the family, he had the responsibility of supporting his younger brothers and sisters. He took the courageous step of venturing out of his safe zone in Bangalore in those days and move to New Delhi for a job opportunity. His passion for education drove him to make a career in the same and he chose to become a Lecturer in the department of Civil Engineering at the Madras College of Engineering in New Delhi in the year 1955.

After serving for 3 years in New Delhi, he came across an advertisement for the post of a lecturer in Vidya Bhawan, Udaipur. He appeared for an interview in front of a selection panel presided over by respected Dr. M. S. Mehta (Bhaisaheb). He recollects the interview session where his desire to have a starting salary of Rupees 500 per month could not be met with and he was contented to start his VBRI stint on 14th August 1959, at Rs 375 per month, although ironically those days the starting salary for a Lecturer was at Rs 250 per month.

Coming to Udaipur, newly married was quite a challenge for both him and his wife Jaya. It was a big change for them, especially for his wife with language being one of the major barriers. But to their surprise, they got accustomed to the new surroundings very easily. They both enjoyed meeting new people, recalling the nostalgic memories of the courtesy, friendliness and warmth they got from all colleagues and their families which made them feel at home sooner than they imagined. The culture, hospitality, simplicity and kindness of Rajasthan attracted them the most. These memories have stayed on with their family till date.

Career challenges at Vidya Bhawan Rural Institute:

Served as the officiating Principal of Health & Sanitation department for 2 1/2 years and simultaneously continued as Lecturer at the Civil Engineering department of VBRI. Became Principal of Civil Engineering department and continued to serve there, eventually retiring in the year 1983.

During his tenure as Principal, the department was given additional work for rural development and the polytechnic was named as "Community Polytechnic". Development works in the rural district of Udaipur and Bhilwara were undertaken during that timeline. A state of the art workshop was setup for manufacturing WC/Wash basin and smokeless stoves for installation in the rural areas. The Govt of India appreciated these efforts, which were undertaken by the Institution.

Attended many seminars, visits to many of the contemporary community polytechnics across India, which provided good exposure in the community development works.

He still recollects his association with many veterans in the field of education during his stay in Udaipur, namely Resp. Bhaisaheb, Resp. Dadabhai, Dr.KN Srivastava and Shri CSL Agrawala, to name a few, for their continued guidance. The support in his early days from Late Shri KC Sharma and Shri DK Joshi of Vidya Bhawan Society helped him in establishing himself.

He recalls his fond association with colleagues.  Amongst them, he extends special Thanks to Shri BL Mantri with whom he collectively brought the Community Polytechnic to its glory and recognition. He also recollects taking students on educational tours with Shri SG Kinjavdekar to various locations in India.

After serving for 24 long years in Udaipur, post retirement from Vidya Bhawan, he joined Sant Ghadge Baba Polytechnic at Bhusawal in Maharashtra, as Principal in the Year 1995. It was a fairly new Institute that had started barely 8 months ago and the main task on hand was to:

• Get the Polytechnic recognized by AICTE, New Delhi
• Establish the Institute, initiate it’s functioning in the shortest possible time.
• Bring in a culture of discipline and encourage both faculty and students for excelling in their respective roles
• Establish a renowned reputation of the Institute as being one of the best Polytechnic in the region.

What gives him immense pride is that the Board of Technical Education in Maharashtra looked up to Sant Ghadge Baba Polytechnic as a role model for other upcoming Polytechnics. He received full support from the Management for bringing the Institute to its glory.

After serving for 11 years in Bhusawal, he decided to call it a day in the Year 1995. As he looks back at his 4 decade long career, he feels proud to be associated with the field of education and adding value to the Institutions he was involved with.

He also gives a word of appreciation to his wife Jaya, who has managed the home efficiently all these years and used to adapt to the new locations with ease. Both of them are proud that their children could get wholesome education at the Vidya Bhawan School, which has helped them in pursuing their respective careers successfully.

Rekha, his eldest daughter, who works with the State Bank of Bikaner and Jaipur, is well settled with her family in Pune, while his younger daughter Meera has pursued a career in the field of education as well, and is currently in Oman with her husband. His son Shrinath holds the position of Vice president with Larsen & Toubro in the UAE. 

He cherishes his beliefs in discipline, hard work and honesty, which can lead every individual to greater heights in their professional and personal lives.

Both, him and his wife having been for a few years in Mumbai and Pune, now live with their son and his family in Bangalore.