Educationist Punekar passes away at 90

Educationist and founder of Socio Economic Cultural Association of Bijapur (SECAB) Shamsuddin A. Punekar died in Vijayapura on Tuesday. He was 90.

SECAB runs several schools and colleges in that district.

Punekar was suffering from age-related ailments, family sources said.

He is remembered as a pioneer of affordable and inclusive education. He went on to establish PU and degree colleges for women and earned the distinction of starting the first women’s college in the undivided Vijayapura district.

He resigned from government service to set up a school in a rented house in 1969.

SECAB now runs 26 institutions, including an Unani medical college, diploma and engineering colleges and others. Rani Channamma University gave him a honorary doctorate for his contribution to women’s education.

District in-charge Minister M.B. Patil expressed condolences and called him a person known for his simple lifestyle, secular outlook and unwavering commitment to work over recognition.

He described him as a visionary educationist.