SHATA PATRE- Letters
1848 AD- ideas of promoting education among the native populations. A letter published in 1848 under pen name “lokhitavadi” mentions that there are many schools in Poona. Literate population is not much aware about reading books on literature and other subjects. The then Governor of Bombay Province Henry Browne suggested establishing a public library in Poona by calling a meeting of community elders on 28th January. This was agreed to by the leaders present. Many of them were students of English schools , present and past. The sardars and other well to do were not enthusiastic and did not contribute funds towards this cause. However Rs1500 was collected. Ten members elected formed a committee but no more funds could be garnered. Then, a sub committee with a Librarian was formed. The Collector granted space in “Budhwar Wada” building and public library was inaugurated in the following month. The letter mentions that not many persons from the community visit the library but much of the student community regularly visits the library and utilises the facilities. The sardars who generally do not step out of their Wada unless accompanied by four assistants and a horse carriage are shy of visiting the library to read books. This they consider below dignity. This is the present state of the society due to ignorance. They are content to live on the pensions provided by the Company Sarkar. They are satisfied that they receive enough to live well and do not care to educate themselves. They are not aware of where Europe is and whence the white rulers came. They do not care to learn about their civilisation, social order or polity. When questioned they proudly say that they do not care to know. This is the present situation in society. His Excellency the Governor has started a library in Ahmednagar also and is promoting literacy and reading habit among the people. Although the elders do not value these initiatives, a day will come when people will praise Governor Brown for having established public libraries. The Private Secretary of the Governor Captain French has despatched letters to British Residents of other towns to establish public libraries. This move should be considered a benign step to improve the population and it is unfortunate that the elders consider it below their status to read books. They consider that reading books is a pastime of children and school students. The moment they start earning, the adults give up reading which is considered a lowly thing. The elders feel that whatever traditional knowledge they possess is most superior and no more is needed to be accumulated. This is most unfortunate. The earlier this bad habit is abandoned the better it will be because in the past the rule of Peshwas had clouded the understanding of knowledge and the lack of it. Now, those times have gone and we must understand things in their proper perspective. It is hoped that people will give up laziness and ignorance soon. The Poona Library has 300 books and four periodicals for the readers.
[ this was his manner of writing which displays earnest desire for his people to change their old habits and aquire knowledge. His message was that one should read books on all subjects and enlarge one’s vision. However Lokhitavadi became unpopular because of his blunt and honest exhortations to improve. The elders were convinced of their superiority and looked upon these views as worthless and corrupting their “civilised” order. He was blamed for being Pro- British and although a Brahmin from the Chitpavan caste himself , corrupting the society with such damaging ideas.
