(Late) Dada Nirmaldas Dharamdas Gurbaxani
Late Dada Nirmaldas Dharamdas Gurbaxani was born on 29 October 1889 in Hyderabad, Sind (now in Pakistan). An M.A. by qualification, he began his career as a teacher, rose to become a college professor, and later served as Principal of several prestigious institutions. A deeply religious man and a pioneer of the Brahmo Samaj, he was Gandhian in outlook, believed firmly in truth and action, and lived as a true Karma Yogi until his passing in March 1966.
A strong advocate of social reform, he worked tirelessly against the evil of dowry, staging plays and dramas to highlight its harmful effects. He was also a leading proponent of girls’ education, even during his years in Sind, and sought to instill values of truth, simplicity, and progressive thinking in students. His lifelong mission was the eradication of social evils within the Sindhi community through education and moral awakening.
Key Facts
- Birth Date: 29.10.1889
- Place of Birth: Hyderabad, Sind (Pakistan)
- Academic Attainments: M.A.
- Permanent Address: Mumbai, India.
As Educationist
Dada Gurbaxani was considered to be one of the pioneers of girl’s education in Sind. In those days girls’ education was not an acceptable phenomenon.
He fought his way through and started a separate educational institution for girls called Nav Kanya Vidyalaya at Hyderabad, Sind. In an effort to break the ‘taboo’ and ‘conservatism’, he personally assured the parents of girl students about their safety and security.
With his initiative, a few more educational institutions for girl students started, namely Kundanmal & Bhai Tolaram Gurdasmal Girls Schools in Sind.
After partition of the country, he established school for Sindhis known as Kamla High School (named after his wife Kamla) at Khar, Mumbai. This School has grown from strength to strength and has acquired the name and fame in its own right. He also set up Social Service Centre at this School. The object was to collect funds and help Sindhis, staying at refugee camps at Kalyan, Mulund and other places in Mumbai.
In short, he was a true educationist and was a friend, philosopher and guide to student community. He was endowed with missionary zeal.
Additional Information
- He made every effort to fight the evil of ‘Deti Leti’ [Dowry]. He arranged to stage several plays/ dramas on evil effects of dowry.
- He was deeply religious man and one of the pioneers of ‘Brahmo Samaj’.
- He started his life as a teacher initially in schools, then in colleges and finally as Principal of several prestigious colleges.
- He was Gandhian in his outlook and always laid emphasis on speaking the ‘truth’. He was a man who believed in action and was true ‘Karma Yogi’.
He expired on March 1966.
Finale
Nirmaldas Gurbuxani was a protagonist of girls education, even in Sind. His services in this connection are well known.
His progressive bent of mind was visible here too. He wanted to inculcate in the minds of students the values of truth and simplicity. He wanted that the social evils, like dowry etc. afflicting the Sindhi community should be eradicated.