TRIBUTE TO GREAT HUMANITARIAN

SHRI. SARWADAMAN S. AJGAONKAR

Shri. Sarwadaman S. Ajgaonkar was life worker of Servants of India Society founded by Gopal Krishna Gokhale (Mahatma Gandhis Guru) in 1905. He was also the Secretary (All India) of Servants of India Society for 22 years and Senior Member, InCharge of Bombay Branch for more than 40 years. He joined Servants of India Society after post graduation from University School of Economics and Sociology. He was also the member of Board of Management of Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics, Pune as S.I.S. nominees for several years. In his manifold activities in Mumbai in fifties, he came under the spell of Pandit Hriday Nath Kunzru, Thakkar Bapa, N.M.Joshi all members of Servants of India Society who founded Social Service League. Shri. S.S.Ajgaonkar was Vice-President of Social Service League (founded in 1911) and was Secretary and Gen. Secretary of the League for many years. He was initiated into the League by the late Principal

Shri. T.A.Kulkarni, former President of the League and Founder President of the Gokhale Education Society. He was also the VicePresident of Bombay Social Reform Association. The Association was founded in 1903 by Justice Sir Narayan Chandavarkar, one time President of Indian National Congress. These pioneer Institutions played major role in bringing beneficial measures in the statute book and upliftment of neglected sections of the Society. S.S.Ajgaonkar dedicated his entire life for social service and social work (more than 50 years with Social Service League). He was also associated with numerous Associations in different fields in Mumbai and could collect substantial amounts as donations from the late Shri. G.L.Mehta (I.C.I.C.I.) and Shri H.T.Parekh, founder H.D.F.C. Ajgaonkar edited Social Service Quarterly the journal of the League and also the author of Social Welfare in Greater Bombay Physically Handicapped, Social Problems of Allahabad, Social Legislation and Gopal Krishna Gokhale (Hindi).

He was also

passionate

towards Sports &

Culture. In his college days he was an excellent cricketer (wicketkeeper) and played along with many great cricketers of that era (some of them later on played for India). He was also National Champion & Bombay University Champion in Table Tennis. He has also represented college in Tennis and Badminton. He was also the Chairman of Social Service League Gymnasium. (The Gymnasium was started in 1938. It is well-known in the field of Weightlifting and Power lifting) He was Life Member & Managing Committee Member of numerous Associations (Shivaji Park Gymkhana, The Park Club Ltd.-founder member, Samarth Vyayam Mandir, Bengal Club, Dadar Matunga Cultural Centre, Yashwantrao Chavan Natya Sankul etc.) and several other Social Organizations in Mumbai. The greatest tribute to Shri. Ajgaonkar would be to follow the path shown by him, modernize all the activities so that it could continue to improve the paradigm of various activities to help the poor and

the down-trodden, especially the lot of women & children. We pray that his soul may rest in eternal peace. -------------xxoooxx-----------