Page 164 - JyotipunjEng

Committed to Service
Dr. Vishwanathrao Vanikar

There is a depositary of the memories related to Dr. Vanikar. He
was the friend of the sufferers, his pity was natural. He was the
man of action. When he sat with the saints, he was the true pupil.
He was the man of struggle. He remained devoted to the society
until the last moment of his life. He devoted even his personal life
to the society.

Amongst the prestigious families of Ahmedabad is counted
the Vanikar family. His family enjoyed a high reputation. Of
the mill-owner families running over generations, the Vanikar
family enjoyed a unique identity. Anantrao Vanikar was an
engineer by profession. He had served as the Chief Engineer in
Ahmedabad. He had created a number of records one hundred
years ago. Anantrao Vanikar belonged to a village Vani, near
Nasik in Maharashtra; however, over generations, his
forefathers came and settled at ‘Bhau Ki Pole’ in Ahmedabad.
Vishwanath Vanikar was his only offspring. His father was an
engineer, but he chose to be a doctor. He possessed a tall figure,
well built body and impressive personality. He completed his
practice in London and returned to India for service to the
nation. Dr. Vanikar was the first pathologist of Gujarat.

About fifty years ago from now, a doctor enjoyed a high
prestige and reputation in the society. And this prestige was
still higher for this foreign degree holder. If an individual is
respected in his youth, he can be imagined to be riding high in
glory and bliss. This makes some people talk through their heads