Gijubhai Badheka Biography
Girijashankar Bhagwanji Badheka, better known as Gijubhai Badheka was an outstanding personality in the field of pre-primary education. He had the nick name, Moochali Maa ("Mother with whiskers"). He played a significant role in introducing Montessori education methods for children to India. He has also published several books on education such as Divaswapna, apart from story books. His works were mostly for children. He published 200 books including story books for children, education, travel and humour and also authored parenting books and educators.
He was born on 15 November 1885 in Chittal of Saurashtra region in the British India. Badheka grew up in Bhavnagar, Gujarat and he moved to East Africa in search of job and returned to Mumbai. In 1920, Badheka founded the Bal Mandir kindergarten (pre-primary school) and has authored many outstanding books for children’s education and parenting. He along with Nanabhai Bhatt and Harbhai Trivedi started Shree Dakshinamurti Vinay Mandir School at Bhavnagar.
He started his career as a lawyer. When a son was born to him in 1913, he started thinking to do something for child upbringing and development. Got impressed by the writings of Maria Montessori, he left his legal practice and decided to devote his full time for children and education. That’s how he started a kindergarten in the year 1920.
As a writer, Divaswapna, is his outstanding contribution to Gujarati literature and this book has been translated to many other Indian languages. He was against the already existing education system in India and has brought many new reforms to the world of child education. He believed that a teacher should be a good friend to students and kids should not fear him. They should be able to enjoy at school. This great educationist passed away on 23rd June, 1939.
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Updated: March 06, 2016