Shri. Ajay Jawahar Kaul, an educationist extraordinaire, has a body of experience at which one can only marvel. Committed teacher, born leader and dedicated activist, he is a fierce believer in the work ethic and every individual’s constitutional right to live in freedom, security and dignity.
At Yari Road, in Versova, a seaside suburb of Mumbai, he has created an institution that draws the entire community to itself like a lodestone. As for Mr. Kaul, he is one of the few individuals in the city who is equally claimed by all communities, Hindu, Muslim and Christian; simply because he is always there for anyone who needs him.
Best of all, Ajay Jawahar Kaul has never been afraid to dream. And he has always dreamed very big.
He has always wanted to be a teacher. Towards that end, he acquired a BA/B.Ed from Bombay University and taught for a while in the school in which he had himself studied. Then in 1981, in a single room in Versova Village, he started his own school, with 30 students. This has increased rooms and more children. Literally working seven days a week, he began to follow his big dream – a large school in its own grounds in the same locality. Read More
Thanks to a government allotment which was assiduously followed up, he was able to lay the foundation of the Children Welfare Centre High School and Clara’s College of Commerce in the 1980’s. Today, this institution, easily among the finest in the suburbs, has 6000 students pursuing school education and college degrees.
Ajay Kaul, known simply as Ajay to his huge circle of friends, well-wishers and acquaintances, is one of those unique people who still believe that everything they achieve and hold is given to them in trust. Achievements His school is a paragon of those often-lost virtues of orderliness and discipline, cleanliness and brightness. His enthusiasm communicates to everyone on its premises, from the professors and teachers to the students, their parents and the workers. The results are there for all to see, a plethora of awards, citations, prizes and plaques that the school has collected through the years. The awards have been in areas as eclectic as dance, drama, science, sports, music and a whole range of extracurricular activities. No aspect of student development is ignored or overlooked; everything is regarded as a new experience to be savored.
It is not surprising then, that the Children’s Welfare Centre has bagged Kudos not just for securing 100 per cent results time after time, but because it acts as a kind of beacon to the entire locality with people encouraged to think of the property as their own, free for whatever use they might wish to put it, provided that the end result is the betterment of the human being. Sant Gadge Maharaj Brihan Mumbai Mahanagar Palika Cleanliness award 2008 was conferred by the Mumbai Municipal Corporation. His Excellency S.C. Jamir Governor of Maharashtra Awarded the outstanding Principal Award on Guru Din, 7th July’ 2009.
Personality Plus
Ajay Kaul’s own personal record is formidable, cutting across every level of accomplishment
and displaying his vast and varied interests. He is active in the fields of
- Women’s welfare as an advisor on the Gadge Baba Mahila
- Education (of course), with awards from Lions and Rotary clubs, of which he is a member and office-bearer, from the Minorities educational Federation, the Bombay Municipal Corporation, to mention just a few.
- Civic affairs, through setting up health camps, organizing rallies and acting as the interface between the public and municipal officials. For some time now, in K-West ward where the school is located, Kaul is also a nominated member of the ward
- Social work, his biggest focus. Through rallies, Mohalla Committees, interfaces with police stations, debates, discussion groups and common celebrations of festivals of every community. There are very few personalities in Mumbai like Ajay Kaul who are so instantly associated with on-going initiatives in peace and harmony, or one so completely acceptable to all.
- Appointed President of Mumbai Throwball Association by Mumbai District Throwball Association
- Health issues. The school is the venue of health awareness camps, senior citizens’ check-ups, Dignity Foundation meetings, even a plague awareness camp, Covid when it was necessary.
- Solidarity in time of natural calamities. During the 1992-93 riots, the CWC was a lighthouse of peace to which all like-minded people hastily repaired. It was visibly due to efforts of people like Kaul that Versova stayed so calm while much of Mumbai burned and harmony was destroyed for a couple of generations.
Personal awards
These are literally too numerous to mention, for Kaul has been honoured on several fronts.
- Whether it is SSC study camps, adult and literacy classes, proactive teaching classes for B.Ed. students or working with the state government for the benefit of children in schools in his ward. The International Institute of Education and Management, New Delhi, chose him for its Jewel of India award for Outstanding achievement in the field of education, as did the Kashmiri Pandit Association,
- Social – from peace rallies, to fund raisers to health awareness
- Civic issues, from better policing to demonstrations by the local Fire Brigade
- Cultural activities, including giving his vast premises willingly for local cultural activities, and indeed, encouraging their use
- The Best Citizens of India Award 2003 conferred by International Publishing House
- Presented Rajiv Gandhi Shiromani Award on 19th August’ 2003 by India International Friendship Society.
- Award presented by Bhartiya Charmakar Samaj Unnati Trust for securing 100% results of HSC Exam.
- Navneet Publication [India] has felicitated him by presenting him the NAVNEET’S BEST TEACHER’S AWARD and wished him many more success in time to come.
- Presented Shri. Shivgopal Singh Pavan Smiriti’s BEST TEACHER’S AWARD by Bharati Prasar Parishad, Mumbai.
- Awarded Prominent Citizen Award as BEST EDUCATIONIST by Jamiatul Muslimin Mahim Bombay, year 2003 – 2004.
- Awarded “GURU DRONACHARYA AWARD” by Hon’ble Manohar Joshi Former Lok Sabha Speaker and Hon’ble Shri. Uddhav Thackeray on the eve of Teacher’s Day September 2005.
- Honored with best Teacher’s Award by Seva (Social Educational Welfare Association) for outstanding performance in the field of education on 9th September’05 by Shri. Johney Joseph, Municipal Commissioner, Gr. Mumbai.
- Hon’ble Chief Minister of Maharashtra Shri Vilasraoji Deshmukh felicitates on the completion of 25 years as the Principal.
- Pride of India award presented by International Institute of Success awareness New
- District Governor’s Quality Awards 2006-2007 received from District Governor Lions club international.
- Lion of the year Awards 2006-2007 received from DG lion club international
- Awami Rai Urdu Weekly awarded a trophy on 8th March, 2008 for contribution and promotion of National Integration in the society. The award was presented by Shri. Jayant Patil. Hon’ble Minister for Finance & Planning, Govt. of Maharashtra.
- Outstanding School Principal Award 2009-10 at the hands of his Excellency, S.C. Jamir, Governor of Maharashtra.
Latest initiative
- After the communal riots in Mumbai in 1992-93, a need was felt for a body that acted as a common platform for all and thus the Ekata Manch was born. Through it, Kaul has spearheaded activities that include everyone, whether it is in health, civic affairs, law and order, extra- curricular activities and culture.
- Recently, under the aegis of the Ekata Manch, 40 Co-operative Housing Societies have come together to form a kind of pressure group focusing on development of the entire area.
- To Ajay Kaul, this is a crowding of all his efforts. But to people who know him this is just the beginning of what could include most of Mumbai’s largest and most prosperous suburbs.
- That now he has been Awarded the BEST TEACHER’S AWARD by the Government of Maharashtra seems in the fitness of things.
- Recipient of Mother Teresa Award 2011 for Contribution in the field of peace Patron received at the hands of Dr. Vijay Kumar Gavit Hon’ble Cabinet Minister of Medical Education Govt. of Maharashtra.
- Appointed as a member on the S.S.C/H.S.C Mumbai Divisional Board by the Govt. of Maharashtra.
- 2016 – Awarded Versova Gaurav for contribution in the field of Education by Shri. Devendra Phadnavis, Hon’ble Chief Minster, Maharashtra State.
- Appointed as Trustee of Mohalla Committee Movement Trust by Shri. Julio Francis Ribeiro Former Director General of Police, Maharashtra State.
- Awarded Navshakti Lifetime Achievement Award by Shri. Uddhav Thackeray President Shiv Sena Party.
- Appointed as patron on the Board of Trust of Centre for Aid, care and cure of cancer. Appointed as Hon-patron of the senior citizens Association, Versova.
- Appointed as Patron of Centre of Resource Development for Educators (CRDE).
- Jeevanadhar Foundation honored Principal Ajay Kaul with Mumbai Gaurav award and appreciation certificate for his contribution in the field of education. The award was presented by Hon’ble Shri Manohar Joshiji, Former Chief Minister, Maharashtra State and Former Speaker, Lok Sabha.
- Conferred with Gau Bharat Bharti special award 2021 at the auspicious hands of Governor Shri Bhagat Singh Koshyariji on National Forest Martyrs Day.
- Govt. of Maharashtra awarded Yuva Puraskar Award 2021 along with a cheque of Rs. 50,000 and certificate to Ekata Manch – President Ajay Kaul at the hands of Shri Aditya Thackeray Hon’ble Minister Tourism and Environment, Govt. of Maharashtra.
- Recipient of Maharashtra’s Covid Yoddha State Level Award by Digital Media Sampadak Patrakar Sanghatna at the auspicious hands of Shri Rajesh Tope Hon’ble Cabinet Minister Medical Education Government of Maharashtra.
- Gaurav Andhericha Award was presented to Ajay Kaul by Hon’ble Shri Anil Parab Cabinet Minister for Transport Maharashtra State for his contribution toward social work especially during Covid Period.
- Elected as Regional Head Citizens Forum: Mumbai.
- Appointed as Zonal President of Maha Mumbai Shikshan Sanstha.
- Andheri Bhushan Puraskar was awarded by Boudha Sanskrutik Mandal on 14th April 2023.
- Received the “Samaj Ratna Puraskar 2023”at the auspicious hands of His Excellency Governor of Maharashtra Hon’ble Shri. Ramesh Baisji This prestigious Sanman was conferred during the 15th Tribal Youth Exchange Program, by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India. The programme was organized by Nehru Yuva Kendra, Mumbai
- Honored with Bhartiya Shiksha Ratna Award 2022 under the aegis of Pradhan Mantri Aatmanirbhaar Bharat Abhiyan by Hon’ble M.P Shri Gopal Shetty.
- Ajay Kaul was awarded Versova Samman Award by Versova Village for his contribution in the field of education and social work.
- Navabharat Education Award 2024 presented to Shri Ajay Kaul for being an Outstanding Personality in Education Sector. The Award was Presented by Shri Rahul Narwekarji, Hon’ble Speaker of the House, Maharashtra Legislative Assembly.
- His Excellency Governor of Maharashtra Shri Ramesh Baisji presented the Vagdhara Kala Mahotsav award to Ajay Kaul for his selfless contribution in the field of Education.
