Chartered Architect Pratap M. B. Velkar (A.R. I. B.A., F.I.I.A., G. D. ARCH.)

                  

Pratap Velkar Writes

                   

Profile

Chartered Architect Pratap M. B. Velkar  A.R. I. B.A., F.I.I.A., G. D. ARCH. 

Date of Birth : 26-10-1922

• ASSOCIATE OF ROYAL INSTITUTE OF BRITISH ARCHITECTS (Lond.)
• Sir. J. J. College of Architecture (Bom.) -1955.
• Fellow of Indian Institute of Architecture.
• Worked with M.C.G.B. as Architect Planner form Goregaon to Dahisar area in Mumbai.
• Conducted Architecture classes in year 1957-1995
• After retirement he decided to write on history by choice.

Books written by Mr. Pratap M.B. Velkar

Over the last 2 decades Mr. Velkar has written numerous books on the accomplishments of Indian particularly Maharashtrian historical figures. His books have won many local & national government awards in India as well as received international recognition. 

Some of his books are 

1.  लोकमान्य टिलक  आणि डॉक्टर वेलकर (LOKMANYA TILAK & DR. M.B. VELKAR)
2. पाठारे  प्रभूंचा इतिहास (HISTORY OF PATHARE PRABHUS (HISTORY OF MUMBAI))
3. तीसरा सावरकर ( THE THIRD SAVARKAR –DR. NARAYAN DAMODAR SAVARKAR )
4. हिंदु साम्राज्याचा इतिहास ( HISTORY OF HINDU EMPIRE 3000BC TO 1200AD)
5. Allah's Sanctuary LT. COL. DR. A. S. G. JAYAKAR Research papers Oman.
6. LT.COL.DR. KIRTIKAR’S POISONOUS PLANTS FOR THERAUPETICAL MEDICINE 1886-1912.
7. अक्षम्य उपेक्षा  (MAHARASHTRA’S BRIGHT HISTORY DISREGARDED )
8. अव्यक्त लोकमान्य ( THE UNKNOWN LOKAMANYA BALGANGADHAR TILAK. )
9. पांच मुंबईकर ( Pach Mumbaikar )
10.  स्वये श्रीरामप्रभु एकती ( Shri Ramprabhu Eykati )
11. VIKRAM SAVARKAR MAHAVEER BHASE HA!
12. GRAPHOLOGY - HANDWRITING ANALYSIS

 1. लोकमान्य टिलक  आणि डॉक्टर वेलकर (LOKMANYA TILAK & DR. M.B. VELKAR)

Matter: Poitical History of Mumbai during Lok. Tilak’s freedom struggle 1909-1929. Publication carried Maharashtra State Govt. Award-1996. Foreworld research is presented by Historian Dr. Aroon Tikekar, Editor Maharashtra Times volumes of pages reveals political of Lok. Tilak’s religious festivals on Ganapati and Shivaji, which were actual efforts to bring Bramhins and Non Bramhins- Marathas to come together on a common platform and fight unitedly against British. Papers record Tilak’s Home Rule and Labour League Delegations and Indian Congress approach Br. Parliament demanding political rights for India’s freedom -1918-1919. Lokmanya Tilak father of Swadeshi Movements, advocated first Swadeshi Indian Railway – Konkan Railway in 1915. Reference: City Public Libraries, Mumbai, Pune University, State Archives Libraries. 

2.पाठारे  प्रभूंचा इतिहास (HISTORY OF PATHARE PRABHUS (HISTORY OF MUMBAI))

Matter: Govt. declared Ethnic race. Earliest emigrants to Mumbai islands in 1200AD. Fled from Rajasthan, Ahinalwad Pattan after continues attacks on Shri Somnath Temple by a Muslim Plunderer Muhammad Gazni. Pathare Prabhus prospered during British rule. First Graduates Elphinstonians before the formation Mumbai University. Mumbai Ferry Wharf – Laxman Harishchunderjee Bunder. The first Gate Of India was built Bhau-ka-Dhakka by a Pathare Prabhu Bhau Laxman Ajinkya in 1841. The first Indian Film was produced, written and financed by Ramrao Kirtikar in 1912. The first Indian Film was “Pundalik”. It is Ramrao Kitikar’s production and direction by Torane. The first Indian Plane was the Pt. Shivkar Talpade in 1895 . Talpade tried to fly in the air at Mumbai Chowpatti Sands. Book has valuable introduction by welknown Historian Prof. Y. D. Phadke. Reference: Mumbai Public Libraries, Pune, Mumbai Univesity Libraries, Govt. Archives etc.

3.तीसरा सावरकर ( THE THIRD SAWARKAR –DR. NARAYAN DAMODAR SAWARKAR )

Matter: Youngest of the three famous Revolutionary Savarkar Brothers. The first two Br. Vinayak, Ganesh were banished sent to Andaman Jail for 50 years, while youngest Narayan, despite his crime under penal code 12A, was not sent to Andaman’s but held captive in bondage for interrogation. The entire family of Savarkars, three wives and there, children were subjected to severe hunger and hardship; cruel Br. Govt had decided to wipe off all them. Narayan became Dental Surgeon with the help of Revolutionary Madame Cama, Dr. Narayan Lad continued his brother’s political activites, even though Br. Govt was after him day to day. Dr. Narayan Savarkar's end came tragic. A lunatic hit him on his forehead with a huge boulder that killed him in 1949. Dr. Narayan Savarkar died instantly during the turmoil caused by the assacination of Mahatma Gandhi. Reference: Mumbai Public Libraries, Pune Mumbai Universities, Govt. Archives in Maharashtra.

4.हिंदु साम्राज्याचा इतिहास ( HISTORY OF HINDU EMPIRE 3000BC TO 1200AD)

Matter: Book reveals, illustrates the details History of the Hindu Empire that had spread East-West, from Malaysia, Indonesia, Indo- China, Viet-nam, Borneo, Saiyam, Java, Sumatra, Bali in the East to Hindukush, Kandahar Afghanistan in the West. Reference: Libraries in Mumbai, Pune Universities in Maharashtra, & Govt. Archives

5.Allah's Sanctuary Lt. Col. Dr. A. S. G. Jayakar Research papers Oman 1873-1900.

Matter: Oman Research papers on the environment of Oman- Arabia. Research Scientist Lt. Colonel Dr. A. S. G. Jayakar Resident Surgeon appointed by British Army in Oman 1883-1906. In 30 years of medical service, Dr. jayakar travelled extensively studied reptiles, amphibians and rare birds length breath, taxi dermied and presented to London Albert Museum for documentation. Col. Jayakar had mastered Arabic , wrote Book on Topography of Muscat Lexicon and Omani Proverbs. Reference: B. N. H. S. (Museum), Mumbai, Pune University, Govt. Archives.

Guide: Dr. Shubhada Pandya, M. B. B. S. ; Phd (Hist.) with Pratap Velkar at B. N. H. S. Library Mumbai

6.LT. COL. DR. KIRTIKAR’S POISONOUS PLANTS FOR  THERAUPETICAL MEDICINE 1886-1912.

Matter: Dr. Kirtikar was I.M.S. was civil surgeon and Research Scientist, Appointed by Br. Govt. to serve various Indian Hospitals During service, Dr. Kirtikar participated in Afghan war and had served wounded soldiers actually on the battle field. Kirtikar researched Indian plants as a hobby, studied the medical value and presented his research findings to Bombay Natural History Society for final approval of eminent research panel. Col. Kirtikar’s research is documented in the B. N. H. S. Proceedings. Dr. Kirtikar was a writer author of many books in English & Marathi. Reference: All Public Libraries in Pune, Mumbai, University Library and Govt. Archives.

7.अक्षम्य उपेक्षा  ( MAHARASHTRA’S BRIGHT HISTORY DISREGARDED )

Matter: Disregard to monumental work by Lokamanya Tilak enormous efforts that helped Eknathji Ranade to build a Rock Memorial fir Swami Vivekananda in the midst sea below Kanya kumari the south end of India. India’s first Hindu Missionary G. B. Vaidya in 1909, and the first India space ship that went up, was an erected by Pt. Shivkar  Bapuji Talpade in 1895. In 1915 Lokamanya Tilak had advocated the first Swadeshi Railway ie. today’s Konkan Railway. Many things done by Maharashtra are forgotten and ignored by our Society. Reference: All Public libraries in Mumbai, Pune.

8.अव्यक्त लोकमान्य ( THE UNKOWN LOKAMANYA BALGANGADHAR TILAK. )

Matter: Lok. Tilak’s religious festivals of Ganapati, Dassera, and Shiva-Janma were a part of freedom struggle for a National Integration. Tilak actually fought ceaselessly to bring Pune Bramhins (Peshwas Community) and Marathas (Shivaji’s Community) together on a common platform, a  united national front to fight apart British Govt.. The Political secret of Tilak was not understood by a common man in Maharashtra but British Secretary of State Sir Valentine Chirole had understood it very well in advance, of Lokamanya’s secret weapon.
        Another Secret of Lok. Tilak :-  There lies a steel Box air-tight 30 feet below in Mumbai Chowpatti Sands, directly under the pedestal of Tilak’s stature. Dr. M. B. Velkar and Dr. D. D. Sathe both Home Rule Leaguers, festival secretaries buried the Box much before Tilak Statute came into existence (1935). The Steel Box contains Tilak’s red Turben, uparne, sandals, ink pot, pen, Gita Rahasya volume and Biography written by N. C. Kelkar. Few years back Times Of India discovered and published the news of Tilak’s remains in chowpatti sands. Reference: All Public Libraries.

9.पांच मुंबईकर ( Pach Mumbaikar )

Matter: Rao Bahadur Ram Balkrishna Jayakar Elphinstonian, President Paramhans Sabha (Prarthana Samaj),

Lt. Col. Dr. Kanhoba Ranchodas Kirtikar Research Scientist of Indian Poisonous Plants for Medical purposes, 

Lt. Col. Dr. A. S. G. Jayakar Eminent Zoologist Muscat, Sultanate of Oman, 

Bhau Laxman Harishchandra Ajinkya built  Mumbai Ferry Wharf (Bhau-ka-Dhakka) in 1841,

Rao Bahadur Narayan Dinanath, Chief Oriental Translator Committee Member, Bombay Association before formation of Indian National Congress, First Indian Municipal Commissioner, Proprietor of Bombay Times along with two other English Editors.
References: Bombay University, Pune University All Public Libraries. 

10. स्वये श्रीरामप्रभु एकती (“SHRI RAMAPABHU AIKATI”)

Matter: Revolutionaries Chapekar Brothers Samark Shri Ram Temple, Kalbadevi. Political History of Shri Ram Temple is documene by the Temple Trust, on the side walls of the Assembly Hall. The Three Chapekar Bros., while reciting rituals during chaturmas Harikirtan in the year 1897 all of a sudden left the temple, went to pune & shot dead British officers Rand, Airyst, & Dravid Bros. for their antinational activites, during the famous Pune Plague. The trio returned next day came to Bombay and resumed temple rituals, Br. Govt. arrested Chapekars and Hanged them to death. The Harikirtan at Ramwadi came to hault, since then. Reference: Pune, Mumbai University, Mumbai Marathi Grantha Sangralay. 

11. VIKRAM SAVARKAR MAHAVEER BHASE HA!

Matter: Very bold and fearless writings by Vikram Savarkar in weekly “ Prajwalant”, The mouth piece of Hindus representing Hindu Mahasabha Party in Maharashtra. Vikram Savarkar is a nephew of veteran revolutionary Br. V. D. Savarkar’s blood brother. Vikram Savarkar edits Prajawalant, solely devoted to cause of Hindutwa (Hindu Philosophy), safe guarding the welfare of hindus , as prime object. This he has been doing for the last 38 years, no amusement parks, no cine ads, no sports news, only the cause of Hindus as prime concern. Continuous for the last 38 years , with hardly few ads, Vikram has managed the paper through utter sacrifice, selfless service and  hot worded articles. Vikram has won the hearts of , Hindus but never gained any awards form the Administration. Vikram has gone to jail for many a time while conducting the paper.

   Vikram Savarkar is very sincere and very proud of being Hindu. One hundred percent he is like his uncle Br. V. D. Savarkar. In 1993 Vikram Savarkar has founded a grand Military School in Thane and named it Maharashtra Military School(Maharashtra Sainik Vidhyalay, Thane) Boys are encouraged to join Army, Navy and Air Force accordingly the Military School is teaching them Militarism. Reference: S. Veer Savarkar Smarak Library Mumbai-28.

12. GRAPHOLOGY

 Matter:   The Hand Writing is not written by hand.
  Graphology is the study of the personality through ones handwriting. While assaying the scripts by various writers it is observed that the hand writing varies from a person to person. The style of one,appears dissimilar from that of another. Accordingly, Graphology of the individual decides personality after careful study of his hand written words. In hand writing analysis,one should bear in mind the circumstanced,the events,the climatic changes that decide the form of writing. Handwriting is written by hand they say,but actually it is not written by hand.It is the brain up there that dictates the hand. References: Pratap M.B.Velkar.

Selfless Service recognized with the installation of suitable landmarks by B.  M. C. and Public Institutions.

1. Dr. M. B. Velkar street (Tilakite Legislator Muncipal Councilor) 1962

2. Bhau Laxman Ajinkya Chowk (Builder of Bhau- Ka-Dhakka, Mumbai Ferry Wharf  in 1841)

3. Ramrao Nayak Marg (Crusader Municipal councilor obtained Lands for Khar Gymkahana and Ramkrishna Mission) 

4. Khote Footpath at Mumbai Chowpatti Sands renowed(1991)

5. Pt. Shivkar Bapuji Talpade chowk at Sahar Int. Aerodrome Rd. (Erected first Indian spaceship and triedto fly at Mumbai chowpatti sands
1895)  

6. Revolutionary Chapekar Bros. Memorial Kalbadevi (Three Chapekar Bros. left the discourse during Chatrmas, went to Pune, shot dead Rand, Airyst, & Dravid Bros. Br. Govt. hanged them 1912.  Inaugration by Vikram Sawarkar)

PRATAP VELKAR presented

·  Tilak time’s Political papers, photos, historical documents, and many other valuable papers, six Albums to Bombay University Library in Fort, as Dr. M. B. Velkar’s Collections in 1993.

·        Savarkar’s Political Journals and historical ornamental dagger  sword of Savarkar’s which belong to them given by Chattrapati  Rajaram Maharaj in 16th century.

·        Conducted classes on Architecture and Planning during 1957-1966 and 1985-1995

·        Prepared Master Development Plan of B. M. C. in 1959-1966 – for areas Goregaon, Malad, Kandivli, Borivali, Dahisar East- West Govt. Approved  Reference: B.M.C Dev. Plan Records 1966.

Designed Colaba Meat Market in 1975

Family Background.



1. Great Grand Uncle: Rao Bahadur Narayan Dinanath, Chief Oriental Translator Committee Member Bombay Association before formation of Indian National Congress, First Indian Municipal Commissioner Proprietor of Bombay Times along with two other English Editors.

. Great Grand Father(Mother side): Rao Bahadur Ram Balkrishna Jayakar Elphinstonian, President Paramhans Sabha (Prarthana Samaj)

· Father: Dr. M. B. Velkar  L.M.S, M.L.C. Councilor Legislator.

Freedom Fighter, Member-Indian Home Rule League & Indian Labour League Delegations to England led by Lokamanya Tilak; Member Tilak Swarajya Party - Legislative Councils regarding: Monteugo Chelmsford Reforms; Vice- President Maharashtra Congress Pradesh Committee 1923-1939 & Municipal Councillor 1919-1935.

  Mother : Mrs. Krishna M. B. Velkar. Senior Cambridge, Queen Mary Convent 1911.

·   Family Members of Mrs. Kunda Pratap Velkar

Achievements:

1. Maharashtra State Govt. Award (1993) 
    Book:- लोकमान्य टिलक  आणि डॉक्टर वेलकर (LOKMANYA TILAK & DR. M.B. VELKAR)

2. पाठारे  प्रभूंचा इतिहास (HISTORY OF PATHARE PRABHUS (HISTORY OF MUMBAI) (1995)

3. तीसरा सावरकर ( Biography of DR. NARAYAN DAMODAR SAVARKAR )

   . Dr. K. B. Hegdewar Puraskar (R.S.S. Chief) 2001

      . Mumbai Marathi Grantha Sangrahalaya
        Best Book of the year V. S. Kulkarni Award (2002)

3.  हिंदु साम्राज्याचा इतिहास ( HISTORY OF HINDU EMPIRE 3000BC TO 1200AD)

4. Allah's Sanctuary LT. COL. DR. A. S. G. JAYAKAR Research papers Oman.

.  Oman Research Forum Dr. Jaykar Award - India's     Environmental Minister - Maneka Gandhi 2010.

5. अक्षम्य उपेक्षा  (MAHARASHTRA’S BRIGHT HISTORY DISREGARDED )

 .  G. R. Paranjape Award BMC Pen Assn- April 2005.

6.अव्यक्त लोकमान्य ( THE UNKNOWN LOKAMANYA BALGANGADHAR TILAK. )

. Lokmanya Tilak Smarak Trust Prakashan, Pune, Inaugurated by India Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde-2010.

7. स्वये श्रीरामप्रभु एकती ( Shri Ramprabhu Eykati ) Chaphekar Smarak.

8. SWATANRA VEER SAVARKAR PURASKAR

L to R : Pratap Velkar (3), Arun Joshi [President of Savarkar Smarak] (4), Nuclear Scientist Vasant Gowarikar (5).

Photo Gallery of Political Leaders 

Dr. M. B. Velkar  and social workers during lokamanya Tilak's Times 1908-1935.

Home Rule League Delegation to Dr. Dadabhai Navaroji

Br. Vitthalbhai Patel, Dr. M. B. Velkar, Dr. Dadabhai Navaroji, C. V. Lalit, N. C. Kelkar, Dr. D. D. Sathe

Lokamanya Tilak addressing gathering at Shantaram Chawl Girgiaum, Mumbai 1918

On Dais from L to R : Sarojini Naidu, Br. Jinah, Br. Baptista, Lokmanya Tilak (standing), Dr. M . B. Velkar, B. G. Horniman

Lok. Tilak Ganpati and Shivaji Rashtriya Utsav in Mumbai

1908 to 1920

Dr. M. B. Velkar (Sec.), Lok. B. G. Tilak (President), Dr. D. D. Sathe(Sec.)

Lok. Tilak Home Rule League Worker's 1917

Chair L to R : A. B. Kolhatkar (1), Bipinchandra Pal (3), Dr. A. Erulkar (4), Dr. G. V. Deshmukh (5), Dr. M. B. Velkar (6), Dr. D. D. Sathe (7), 

Ground : Paghe (2), C. V. Lalit (4), W. M. Joshi (5)

Home Rule League Volunteers

Chair L to R : Dr. M. M. Velkar (3), Dr. D. D. Sathe (4),  Lokamanya Tilak (5)

Lok. Tilak and his Disciples

Chair L to R : Dr. N. Deshmukh (1),  Adv. Belvi (2), D. Karandikar (3), Dr. D. D.  Sathe (4), Lok. Tilak (5), G. Deshpande (6), N. C. Kelkar (7), Dr. M. B. Velkar (8)

Contact:

· Pratap Velkar       : pratap.velkar@gmail.com