Vivek Ponkshe, former Jnana Prabodhini Prashala Pune principal passes away
He was the principal of the Jnana Prabodhini School in Pune for 18 years. He has supported and mentored thousands of students and worked with them on various projects
Vivek Ponkshe, the former principal of Jnana Prabodhini Prashala (Pune) and eminent educationalist, passed away due to prolonged illness at the age of 58 on Friday morning. He is survived by his wife Bhageshree, son Aditya and daughter Nivedita. He was working as the Solapur district Jnana Prabodhini’s head, besides heading the Prabodhini’s research related work in Pune.
Early in his career, Ponkshe worked as a teacher in Arunachal Pradesh for two years and in a rural village called Shivapur in Haveli taluka for two years. He was the principal of the Jnana Prabodhini School in Pune for 18 years. He has supported and mentored thousands of students and worked with them on various projects.
Recalling memories of his favourite sir, Nisanso Malo, a student from Arunachal Pradesh who is currently studying for Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) in Pune, said, “Ponkshe sir was the reason why I came to Pune even as I come from a poor family. He motivated me and helped me to prepare for competitive exams. He always used to say that never give up in life and strive to achieve you goals.”
Abhishek Jog, an alumnus from Jnana Prabodhini School (Pune) who is an IT professional, said, “Ponkshe sir was more a friend than a teacher to students. He used to have an instant rapport with every student and always tried to understand their problems. He has inspired and motivated us, besides changing our lives for the better and instilling in us good values.
“Ponkshe sir had intensively worked in north-east states, Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh as he had built a good connection with the Marathi volunteers in these parts of the country. Around 1,600 students from Pune worked along with the sir on various projects in these states till now.”
Padma Shri Nivedita Bhide from Kanyakumari who has worked with Ponkshe said, “We have lost a prominent educationalist and a great teacher. I would pray for his soul and give their family strength in this situation.”