Shri H.D.Gaonkar was born in the family which inculcated good values and principles. The religious upbringing, good friends and love for reading gave him the motivation to impart value education to thousands of children later in his life. Hari Dharmaji Gaonkar was born on 30 June 1919, in Malvan in Sindhudurg district. He appeared for matriculation exam in 1937 in Mumbai. He completed his graduation in first division from Elphinstone College. He studied for M.Sc. in Chemistry at Royal Institute of Science.
Dr. R. K. Shirodkar had established KMS Educational Institute in 1939 and was looking for a successor who would take his cause forward. Dr.Shirodkar recognised the potential in H. D. Gaonkar and entrusted him with the responsibility of the Institute. Dr.Shirodkar appointed Shri Gaonkar as a Principal of Shri Rameshwar High School, Mithbav After he obtained a Teachers’ Diploma from London. There, besides looking after the school administration, H. D. Gaonkar took an interest in the agriculture, saltpans and fishing industry. He established a cooperative society for fishermen, a mobile medical centre and training centre for making coir products.
After the demise of Dr.Shirodkar in 1948, Shri H. D. Gaonkar helmed KMS Educational Institute. He started a Teachers Training College in Mithbav, hostel for rural students in Mumbai, pre-primary and primary school in Mumbai. He introduced the concept of ‘work experience’ for the students along with general education so that they could help themselves finance. The subject officially became part of the Board’s syllabus from 1972. He was honoured with ‘Best Teacher’ award in 1964 by the then President Dr. S. Radhakrishnan. In 1965 he was selected to become member of Board of studies by secondary Education of Board. He won Fullbright Scholarship to study Administration and Teaching.
Building of Dr.Shirodkar Smarak Mandir was possible because of Shri H. D. Gaonkar. It became home to many social and Cultural events. He also established NavanatyaNinad – a dramatics society and Dr.Shirodkar Sport Club for all round development of students. He also started Shri Rekoba Secondary School at Wairi, KMS Special School at Parel, Mumbai for children with special needs and KMS Vocational Junior College to impart vocational education and training to develop employability skills in the students.
Shri. H. D. Gaonkar believed in discipline and integrity towards work. He always professed that one can be successful in life by having right amount of hope, intelligence and skills in a healthy body and mind. He evolved the principles of 5H –Head, Hands, Heart, Hope and Health which one guidelines for leading a virtuous life.
Vijayati Gaonkar, wife of Shri H. D. Gaonkar was an educationist and as a principal of KMS Parel Primary School, introduced new methods of teaching. She loved small children and was compassionate towards them. Shri H. D. Gaonkar and VijayatiGaonkar will always be remembered for their contribution in the field of education.
