• A Padam Bhushan awardee
• Seventh Mayor of Delhi
• Founding Member of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh 
• Prant Sanghchalak
• Freedom Fighter
• Educationist
• Social Worker
• Philanthropist 
• Founding force behind Child Education Society

For me ‘Babuji’.

Babuji passed away when I was only five years old. The little sweet memories that I have of him continue to be a part of me till date. He always seemed to be at peace and composed, gently lined with age, yet carrying the soft warmth of someone, who has spent a lifetime smiling.

I fondly recollect his calm assurance and his demeanour, depth of his voice and the quite strength of a man devoted to service.

Often I heard stories about Babuji being discussed among the family members over a cup of coffee and often those present fondly talking about him. These reference in my memory about him could never do justice to the man he really was. 

I was often being told that my parents have decided my name to be “Medha/Mansi”,  however,  Babuji had invited Balasaheb Deoras as the Chief Guest of the Namkaran ceremony, which was held on 9^th November, 1980 and I am told that when he came, Babuji asked him to grace the occasion by doing the honour of Namkaran and my name was hence called “Manissha” a gift from Balasaheb Deoras and my Babuji. In the hindsight, I am glad that he was there and did not accept the name proposed by my parents. 

The inspiration behind this blog is when I stumbled upon an old book titled Vinay and Vivek. While I had heard stories about Babuji here and there, but I really did not know the man that he was. Leafing thorugh its pages, I discovered the depth of his work, the clarity of its thoughts and the quiet strength that defined his life’s purpose. 

It was then when I realised not only was he awarded Padam Bhushan by the Government of India in 1970 for his services to the Society but also that he was a renowned Freedom Fighter having been imprisoned a number of times during the British Raj and more significantly during the Satyagraha movement. It is then that I realised his devotion and contributions to the Free India. He was one of the founding members of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and in fact became the Prant Sanghchalak for Delhi in the year 1947. Babuji also served as the seventh Mayor of Delhi and it’s a matter of pride for me and the entire family that till date Hansraj Marg in Greater Kailash is named after him to serve his memory. He was a renowned educationist, social worker and philanthropist. He was also the founding force behind the ‘Child Education Society’ under which the Bal Bharti Public School network was established. His leadership qualities, discipline, compassion and nation building vision inspires and guides generations even till date. 

I hope not only to retrace his journey but to celebrate a life devoted to service and integrity – blending childhood memories and accounts of his teaching, mentorship and civic contributions to portray a man who led by example and worked tirelessly for public good. 

– Manissha