DR. SUNILKUMAR LAWATE
Brief Life Sketch...
Dr. Sunilkumar Lawate was born on 11th April, 1950 at
W.B. Nawarange Orphanage, Pandharpur whose mother was unmarried. He had to
spend all his childhood as on orphan. He had no name, no religion, no race, and
no caste too. He had only a number as it is given to a prisoner. His journey of
life begins from "Name Not Known" and reaches to the "Well
Known". He began his primary education in a Municipal School near the
orphanage. He had to face the treatment of negligence which was not less
painful than untouchables
At the age of ten, he was transferred to the Remand Home,
Kolhapur as a matter of administrative system. Remand Homes were like prisons
in those days. This was another mental shock on the mind of this depressed
child. All the doors of humanity were closed for this child and he was forced
to spend his childhood in the Remand Home enclosed by big walls. Other children
were teasing him in the school. He had to face regular physical check up as a
thief whenever the objects of other children were lost in the school. This
child had to struggle a lot in this situation and he concentrated on his
education like Eklavya. He decided to struggle against this unfavorable
situation which gave him energy and inspiration to continue his struggle.
When he passed the 7th std., he was admitted to ‘Antarbharati
Vidyalaya, Kolhapur’. It was a newly established school by some visionary
people in Kolhapur. Dr. Lawate felt the first touch of humanity in his life and
then his new journey began. Due to the influences of Rashtraseva Dal, the
literature of V.S. Khandekar and Sane Guruji, there was the beginning of the
faith on life.
According to the rule, the boys had to leave the Remand Home
after completion of 18 years and he became orphan for the second time. He
desperately got admission in Shri. Mauni Vidyapeeth, Gargoti and got
scholarship too. It was not possible for him to continue his college education
as a regular student. He got admission to ‘Diploma in Rural Services
(Education)’ which was equivalent to B.A.B.Ed. He studied hard day and night and
passed in first class. The department of Social Welfare sanctioned him
extension period as a special case and he could complete his college education.
He became the first student of the Remand Home who completed the college
education staying in the Remand Home. He stood first class first among the 17
rural Universities in 1971. He earned hat trick by winning ‘Role of Honor’ of
the Govt. of India, Merit Certificate and the first position in the diploma
course.
Dr. Lawate deliberately decided to work in villages due to
the impact of Gandhian thought, even though he could have got a job in the
cities. He wanted to continue his education at post graduate level therefore
the management transferred him to the Kolhapur branch. He was teaching in a
school at one hand and getting education on the other. He passed M.A. with B +
grade. He completed his Ph.D while he was working as a High School Teacher. He
joined Mahavir Mahavidyalay, Kolhapur as a Lecture in Hindi in 1979. He
completed Ph.D. in 1980 and then he developed his career by reading, writing
and lectures. At the same time, he decided to devote his life for the well
being of the orphan children.
During 1980 to 2000, he earned name in the state as a
teacher, writer, researcher and orator as well as a social activist. He has
also contributed in the fields of text-book writing, syllabus framing,
teacher’s training, translation, lecturers, social work, research, etc. This is
the out come of his hard struggle and dedication.
He was a member of the Indian delegation which visited many
foreign countries under the scheme of India-France friendship and Exchange
Programme. He visited France, Austria, England, Italy, Switzerland, Belgium,
Germany, Luxemburg, Vatican, Holland etc. He visited many social institutes and
also studied the works in many educational organizations and Universities from
the teaching-learning point of view. Taking note of the works of Dr. Lawate for
the education and rehabilitation of the orphans, the Govt. of India honored him
by including his name in the five member Government delegation visiting Japan.
During this tour, he visited Singapore too.
Dr. Lawate has proved himself as an ideal teacher and at the
same time he is attached with many social organizations and activities. The
Govt. of Maharashtra took note of his work and appointed him as a president of
Orphanages in Maharashtra. The Kolhapur Municipal Corporation felicitated him
as ‘Kolhapur Bhooshan’ The Maharashtra State Hindi Sahitya Academy took note of
his significant work for the national language and gave him a special award.
His autobiography ‘Khali Jamin Var Aakash’ is highly appreciated at state,
national and international level. This book is translated into Hindi, Gujarati
and Brail languages. Dr. Lawate has got awards for the best translation, the
best criticism and the best literature at national and international levels.
Dr. Lawate has collected and published the complete
unpublished works of the Marathi writer Padmavibhushan V.S. Khandekar. This is
his great achievement in the field of Marathi literature and culture. He has
published 16 books penned by V.S. Khandekar. ‘V.S. Khandekar Museum’ in Shivaji
University, Kolhapur is established through the hard efforts of Dr. Lawate.
This is the only museum of a writer in India. Dr. Lawate is working as
honourary Director of this museum.
Dr. Lawate has set a lesson for the society as a man who has
created his own identity as an educationist, a researcher, a writer and a
social activist.
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