PrernaExpresses recently participated in the centenary birth year celebrations of Shri Hashuji Advani, a man known for his strong will, determination, and mild manner. And that’s putting it mildly. If you had heard the trustees of VES and CCYM, you’d understand the true worth of the man.
My own experience writing his biography was unique. No matter who I spoke to, they had so much to say that hours would go by and I’d be held mesmerized by their shared yet diverse experiences.
Rather than repeat it all here, I’ll invite you to read his biography.
I see Hashuji’s ideas being discussed even today. The most recent experience was as I listened to the keynote address of Mr Anatha Nageswaran, Mr M. Damodaran the ex-Chairman, SEBI, and others, as well as the various panel discussions at the 11th SBI Banking and Economics Conclave, 2024, (#SBIConclave), one idea that emerged loud and clear; that we need to fix the basics. The rest will follow.
And that’s exactly what Hashuji Advani did.
He created strong foundations that curated strong citizens - and still does.
I think I would not be wrong if I say that Hashuji is one of the only people who have been described by the greatest number of adjectives and several oxymorons. A philosopher, mentor, guide, leader, philanthropist, leader, and more. And yet none of the titles seem to encompass his greatness completely.
Here’s an attempt at explaining why Hashuji was all this and more.
Philanthropist
A philanthropist is defined as a rich man who helps others, especially by giving money. But Hashuji had no money. He came to India with just a bag and a mat. Yet he helped many.
Social Worker
You might say that if he had no money, he was a social worker. Think about it though. Even social workers have a life of their own. A social circle that is separate from their social work. Hashuji had none. Social work was his life.
Educationist
An educationist is someone who specializes in creating and managing education and education systems. Hashuji was by no means a specialist. He had set out to fulfil a dream. A dream of an educated country. To him education was 3H. Training the Head, Heart, and Hand.
Politician
Hashuji was not just a politician. He was a political saint. Never in his 35 years of political journey did he commit so much as a moral error let alone corruption. Never was he called before the speaker. And it is said that when he spoke in the Assembly, everyone listened. Indeed, he joined politics only to further his dream of an educated and democratic country.
Guide
Ask anyone associated with the Vivekanand Education Society (VES), the Chembur Colony Yuvak Mandal (CCYM) or any of the small and big organizations founded by him. They’ll tell you that Hashuji never led. He guided. He convinced. He supported.
Leader
Hashuji always encouraged those with him to learn and grow. From bringing back books from the J. N. Petit or the British Council library, to facilitating training for teachers right up to aiding senior citizens running NGOs, he was truly a selfless leader.
Mentor
Nothing was too small or irrelevant for Hashuji. From carrying documents across his school to standing in queue at the Municipality or Parliament house to submit forms, applications, and learn about processes, he did whatever was required to help those who asked for it.
Visionary
Startup, bootstrap, angel investors, accelerator, burnout, CAC, Churn … are buzz words of todays business ecosystem. But for our beloved Hashuji, I’d use the words cockroach founder – a founder whose startup is resilient enough to survive seven decades running on the same founding principles laid down by him.
When I was writing his biography, I talked to both the trustees at various institutions, and his family members. One of the trustees told me that he would sit through rain and shine in the veranda of the four-room barrack that he called his school, helping teachers on the one hand and listening to the woes of the people on the other. All he needed was a table and chair – and often not even that – to set up his “office.”
That was Hashuji.
At the #SBIConclave, I mentioned above, the speakers discussed, among other things, equality and inclusion. Hashuji implemented this when these words were barely coined, let alone becoming buzz words in education and business. He did it at a time when even the first National Education Policy (NEP) did not exist and RTE was not conceived. He fought to make India a true democracy. He fought for the rights of teachers, migrants, slum dwellers, beggars, Muslims, and more. He fought for what was right.
If we truly want to make India big, we should do what Hashuji did:
Dream big… Get Started …. And keep moving – Let Nothing Stop You.
If you want a peek into the modus operandi of the great man, click here.