Late Shankarraoji Kanitkar

Dr.Prof. Gajanan Ekbote

Progressive Education Society is a reputed and distinguished educational institution in Maharashtra. Honorable, Late Shankarrao Kanitkar, along with his selfless dedicated team of teachers known for the highest moral values, laid the foundation of the Society on the auspicious day of Akshay Tritiya on 16th May, 1934 in Pune. P.E. Society has been making noteworthy progress for the last 83 years along with the noble path and principles laid down by the eminent predecessors such as Guruwarya Late S.R.Kanitkar, Late V.T. Tatke and Late M.G. Chaphekar who were illustrious incarnations of ceaseless hard work and sacrifice. Late S.R. Kanitkar was ably assisted by Late V.T. Tatke, Late M.G. Chaphekar and Late Koparkar. Progressive Education Society is proud to possess the glowing tradition of these stalwarts.
The two remarkable words that appear in the names of the Society and its educational institutions are “Progressive” and “Modern”. The inclusion of these words was certainly with some noble intentions, which serves as a bright beacon for P.E. Society to follow with determination.
The two words viz. “Progressive” & “Modern” highlight the aims and objects of this reputed educational institution. “Progressive” and “Modern” were the terms used in 1934 by Late Shankarraoji Kanitkar and his colleagues to delineate the dreams and future road map of Progressive Education Society.
“Progressive” means keeping with the spirit of times and innovation while “Modern” means Modern in outlook, up-to-date in all matters whether it is an academic activity or a sports activity or a cultural activity. It was resolved to use modern equipments and modern methodology to teach the students.
The aims and objects of the Progressive Education Society as laid down in its Constitution are “to impart generally to the rising generations of this country and particularly to the residents of Maharashtra State, an efficient Pre-primary, Primary, Secondary, Higher Secondary and Collegiate education, embodying a literacy, scientific, technical, commercial and industrial training and the training of teachers by the establishment at Pune and other places in the Maharashtra State, as circumstances permit, of Pre-primary, Primary, Secondary, Higher Secondary Schools and Colleges or by such other means as may be most conducive to the attainment of the aims and objects of the Society.

Late S.R.Kanitkar was the fountainhead of inspiration to the persons who joined hands with him in implementing the idea of starting a new High School in Pune City in 1934. It was an uphill task in those days. The workload was tremendous. A heavy spadework was to be accomplished. Late S. R. Kanitkar made his colleagues work with his bouncing optimism. Some people in Pune City began to ridicule the idea of starting a new High School, as there were some well-established High Schools in Pune City. Some rival institutions predicted that this venture would end in a smoke.
Late Shankarraoji Kanitkar was a strict disciplinarian and hardly ever liked any laxity in work. His teaching was exemplary. He was a perfect educationist. When the guardians of the students saw him personally and discussed matters with him, they left his office with the fullest conviction that their ward was in safe hands.
Late S.R.Kanitkar’s constant care and concern was to make the institution ideal in every respect. During those days of the British Rule in India, he very often said, “to impart best education to the young generation is the best way to express love for the country and the best means to serve the country.” He tried to instill this spirit in his colleagues.
There were, in 1934, some very renowned educational institutions in Pune City. The schools and colleges run by them had already left a deep impression on the peoples and educational scene in Maharashtra. And yet late Prof. Kanitkar, Late V.T. Tatke and their colleagues felt that there was a room for an educational institute in Pune, which will be dedicated to the pursuit of excellence. Progressive Education Society and their methodology, by the name they chose for their high school, which they started in 1934, “Modern High School” amply suggests the vision of the founder members of the Society and the High School. Progressive i.e. keeping with the spirit of the times and Modern in outlook, up-to-date in all matters whether it be in the classroom or on the playground. Since its inception P.E. Society has never compromised on these two ideas, which are ‘VALUES’ for us. We are very proud to say that during the last 83 years of its existence the Society has more than lived up to its ideals.
The past students which have passed out from the Schools / Colleges managed by Progressive Education Society have done and are doing excellent work in the different fields & are serving our nation.
Noted Congress leader Late Br. V.N. Gagdil, Hon’ble Shri Vijay Kelkar, Ex-Secretary, Finance Dept., Govt. of India, Shri Padmakar R. Dubhashi, Ex-Vice-Chancellor, University of Goa are some of the past students of Progressive Education Society.
Prof. Dr. Gajanan R. Ekbote is holding a post of Chairman of Progressive Education Society for last 30 years. Prof. Dr. G.R. Ekbote is a well-known figure in Pune city. He is an eminent Medical Educationist, as well as, an Emeritus Professor of Surgery in B.J. Medical College, Pune. He has got a rich experience in University administration. Prof. Dr. G.R. Ekbote is an experienced administrator and was a Dean of Faculty of Medicine in University of Pune. He was nominated on the Management Council of Maharashtra University of Health Sciences, Nashik by Hon’ble Governor of Maharashtra. It is a matter of pride that Prof. Dr. G.R. Ekbote is a past student of Modern High School, Shivajinagar, Pune 5.
Because of the tremendous goodwill created in the society, Progressive Education Society receives donations from the ex-students, parents, industrialists and other reputed personalities for the development of Progressive Education Society.
The moto of Progressive Education Society is “EVER TO EXCEL”. The mission statement of Progressive Education Society is “Dnyanmayo Bhav”. This mission statement is taken out from “Rugveda” by the founder members of Progressive Education Society.
Trustees of the Progressive Education Society always remember the sacrifice and dedication of Late S.R. Kanitkar and his colleagues which is behind the glorious achievements of the Progressive Education Society. With this spirit in mind, the trustees of the P.E. Society wish to develop all its institutions as centers of academic excellence in the days to come.
Members of Business Council of Progressive Education Society desire to work in future with two words constantly in their minds “Progressive” and “Modern”.
It is an admirable fact that P.E. Society has remained away from letting itself commercialized. Progressive Education Society has adopted the highest quality practices in the field of education, which is an evidence of the P.E. Society’s vision. Even today, Progressive Education Society is managed by teachers. Therefore, it has remained away from politics and commercialization.