Milestones

Birth

Early Days

Gijubhai was born as Girjashankar Bhagwanjibhai Badheka in Vallabhipur or Vala in Saurashtra, Gujarat.

After primary school he moved to Bhavnagar for further studies. Stayed with his maternal uncle Hargovind Pandya.

To East Africa

A journey into the unknown

Gijubhai set sail for Africa in 1907 accompanied by his friend Labhshankar Bhatt. Spent two years working there.

Return to India

Law study

Left for Bombay to study law. To support the household expenses he took up a job as a teacher in a school in Mumbai.

Law practise

Start practise

Started practice as District Pleader at Vadhwan Camp

Turning point

Son Narendra born. Got involved in his upbringing and thinking about his education.

Discovered writings of Montessori via Motibhai Amin who had set up a pre-primary school at Vaso.

Helped frame the constitution of the Dakshinamurti institution.

Ideas into action

Quit legal practice. Family moved to Bhavnagar.

Joined Dakshinamurti as Assistant Warden, and Head of Vinay Mandir.

Expansion

Dakshinamurti Kumar Mandir

Dakshinamurti Kumar Mandir set up (Middle School) on 1 June 1918. Gijubhai became Head Master.

New Venture

Balmandir

Proposed idea of an experimental pre-school (Balshala) to Nanabhai. Proposal discussed with Motabhai and Dakshinamurti Committee.

Proposal accepted with the condition that Gijubhai should run it.

Starting of Balshala

Balshala started 8 days after the proposal was accepted.

Balmandir

Inauguration of Balmandir

Tekri nu Balmandir (Balmandir on the hill) opened by Kasturba Gandhi.

Adhyapan Mandi for pre-primary teacher training set up.

Tributes to Montessori

Montessori Sammelan

First Montessori Sammelan held at Dakshinamurti. Chaired by Saraladevi Sarabhai. Resulted in setting up of Nutan Bal Shikshan Sangh, and starting of Shikshan Patrika newsletter.

Second Montessori Sammelan held at Ahmedabad, presided by Gijubhai. People came from other states. Kashinath Trivedi from MP took back the Montessori message, and worked to spread it widely.

Honoured with Ranjitram Gold Medal.

Participation in
Nationalist Cause

Worked in Navsari district with displaced people from Bardoli Satyagraha. Initiated Vanar Sena and Maanjar Sena (Children’s satyagrahi groups).

Involved in Adult literacy programme.

Moving on

Left Dakshinamurti after 20 years.

Travelled across Gujarat to see the new balmandirs inspired by Dakshinamurti.

Bal Mela

Chaired the Bal Mela at Karachi. Interacted with children and teachers.

Felicitation

Symbol of honour

Honoured with award of Rs.12,000/-. Donated the amount to child welfare activities.

Started his last Adhyapan Mandir in Rajkot.

Passing away

Last rest

Gijubhai Badheka passed away in Mumbai.