Bapuji’s forefathers were steeped in the culture and value system that Kathiavad is known for. Vedic scholar Trikamji Purushotam Patel was his grandfather, and Gondal’s poet laureate ‘Vihari’ a.k.a. Behchardas Patel, a prominent littérateur of Saurashtra, and a well loved memorable teacher, whose students carried his flame throughout their life. To inherit this ethos, in the land that is Gondal, it is no surprise that a child born in Shihore, in the “Vihari” family on 5th August 1889, on the 8th increasing phase of Shravan in Vikram Samvat 1945 shone brightly in the domain of education and service.
He studied in Bhayavadar under his father in the primary school in the village, and moved on to Gondal’s Sangramji High school to matriculate and subsequently graduate from Bhavanagar’s Samaladas college with a B.A. in mathematics in 1914.
He started his job in the Gondal state’s employ as an Examiner (inspector) of schools, and acquired a clear and purposeful insight into the reforms needed in the education establishment of Gondal during the 10 years he served in this position. The Sovereign of Gondal, recognised his potential and made him the education minister in his administration. As part of employee recognition, Chandubapa was offered the option of buying Geeta Bhuvan at book value by the Regent of Gondal.
bapuji got married and had a son Naveenchandra, but fate took away his wife during a plague epidemic that had hit Gondal. He married KusumBa, settled in Geeta Bhuvan and the family expanded by six children. First to arrive was daughter Savitri, followed by Prafullchandra, Krishnachandra, Kishorechandra, Lalitchandra, and Balkrishna.