Karmaveer Bhaurao Patil

Karmaveer Bhaurao Patil (कर्मवीर भाऊराव पाटील) (September 22, 1887 – May 9, 1959), born in Kumbhoj, Kolhapur, was a social activist and educator in Maharashtra, India. A strong advocate of mass education, he founded the Rayat Education Society. Bhaurao played an important role in educating backward castes and low income people by coining the philosophy earn and learn. He was a prominent member of Satyashodhak Samaj (Truth seeker’s society), founded by Mahatma Jotirao Phule. The people of Maharashtra honored him with the sobriquet Karmaveer (King of actions) and the Government of India awarded him with Padma Bhushan in 1959.

Rayat Education Society

While employed in the Kirloskar factory at Kolhapur, Bhaurao began working for the Satyashodhak Samaj. In a meeting of Satyashodhak Samaj, held at Kale near Karad, a resolution passed that in order to run the Satyashodhak movement successfully it would be necessary to educate the Bahujan Samaj. Accordingly, Bhaurao Patil established Rayat Shikshan Sanstha at a small village named Kale, on October 4, 1919 on the auspicious day of Ashok Vijaya Dashami. This society focused on the children of the masses, so it was named Rayat, the Marathi word for “masses”. During Bhaurao’s lifetime the Sanstha created thirty-eight cosmopolitan boarding schools, 578 voluntary schools, six training colleges, 108 secondary schools and three colleges.

Born September 22, 1882 Kumbhoj, Kolhapur

Died May 9, 1959 (aged 71)

Occupation Educationist

Organization Rayat Education Society

Known for Spreading education in the rural areas of Maharashtra

Religion Jainism

Awards Padma Bhushan (1959)