Virbalaben & Prafulbhai Memories

Memories of Rajkot are still fresh and are a consolation.  Imagine me arriving at the Rajkumar College in 1954, and then no English medium schools in Rajkot for girls. The Missionary of Christ Jesus recognised this need and made plans for Nirmala Convent School in 1963.  Mrs Virbala Dalal, taught in NIRMALA School at Koyna House and afterwards opening the first English Montessori School of Rajkot. A real PIONEER May the LORD bless her.

By: Sister Maria Teresa Unzu

Kiranbhai Pandya used to run Kiran Printers in Rajkot, and provided all the printing material for Jaibharat and New Jai Hind Schools throughout its duration.  This is is a transcript of his memories:

Shrimati Virbalaben and Shri Prafulbhai Dalal opened Jaibharat and New Jai Hind Schools in Rajkot and established a unique identity. They gave children values, love, discipline and excelelnt education. They also provided games, other activities and varied nutritional food. Children were given one to one attention just like Parents do at home.  Their life was like and ideal devotee of Gurudev Shri Paramhansa Yogananda.

By:  Kiranbhai Pandya

My memories of Jai Bharat and New Jai Hind School, which was run by Virbalaben and Prafulbhai Dalal in Rambha Vilas, are firstly the beautiful building – but more importantly of a school that was not only innovative and effective but provided children an education with a truly unique approach.  My nephew who comes from the Rajkot Royal Family attended this school in the 1970s.

By: Damyanti Jethwa

Virbalaben Dalal, Viru Masi as we lovingly call her, has been an inspiration for me.  Following her footsteps I too started teaching young children, not only is it uplifting for the society but also personally gratifying. Thank you for inspiring me with your good work and hope it is recognized and appreciated for many generations to come.

By:  Meena Bavishi

My Uncle used to provide all the printing for Jai Bharat and New Jai Hind School. I have been the witness of the highly admirable efforts of respected Shree Dalal Saheb and Virbalaben Dalal, and the teachers providing the finest of educations of hundreds of children through Jai Bharat and New Jai Hind School. Salutes and regards

By: Bhushan Pandya

Nitaben Pandya

Jaibharat School even today is memorable to our family. It provided various activities creatively to teach children in an enjoyable environment, which made Parents both happy and content. Our children were always eager to go to New Jai Hind School activities.   At the time the education and activities provided were innovative, creative and provided in an open enviroment. Behind this success were Shrimati Virbalaben and Prafulbhai Dalal’s unstinting hard work, enthusiasm and love for the children, which is unforgettable.

My good wishes and Pranaam to Virbalaben and to Neeshatben & Jayamben

Nitaben Pandya

My daughter Aalapi taught in Jai Bharat School when she came from UK to India, for her gap year whilst doing her law degree. Many many decades ago, it was Jai Bharat School that introduced the concept of Montessori teaching methods and how it helped children, even those with learning difficulties. Virbalaben devoted her life to this and many students benefitted from that. I wish them all well.

By: Pappu Parekh

I went to the same school Nirmala Convent with Jayam Dalal, when her Mother ,Virbalaben Dalal was a teacher there.  Jayam and I shared the same bench and exchanged quite a few funny, hilarious notes under cover of a history or math textbook.  On occasion I along with other classmates also visited the Dalals’ gracious home in Rajkot.  Young as I was then, it always impressed upon me how as a family they were way ahead of time in thinking and lifestyle. It was also quite awe inspiring that Jayam’s mother ran a full fledged school of her own.

Jai Bharat School was quite the landmark with its bright green vans strutting around Rajkot carrying hundreds of students who benefitted from the enterprise and foresight of Mrs. Dalal’s vision of wholesome education and scholarship.  It also provided gainful employment for a fair share of the community.  I for one felt privileged to know her daughter and call her my friend.

By: Sheila Nagarajan

We are missing schools like Jaibharat & New Jai Hind schools in Rajkot where individual attention with reasonable fees was prime attraction not forgetting the good basic education.

By:  Ashok Kamdar