Padma Shri awardee and one of Gujarat’s most respected journalists and writers, Devendra Patel owes the roots of his thoughtful and creative life journey to the enriching environment of the Shreyas Foundation. Born in 1945 in the village of Akrund in Sabarkantha district, Patel was raised in a family imbued with Gandhian values. However, it was at Shreyas where these ideals were transformed into personal convictions, shaping his voice, his character, and his future.

Shreyas Foundation’s open, human-centric and holistic approach to education inspired in him a sense of empathy, curiosity, and cultural engagement. Surrounded by nature, the arts, and freedom of thought, young Devendra discovered the power of expression — a discovery that would later become central to his life as a journalist and storyteller.

One of the most formative experiences during his time at Shreyas was participating in the school’s annual fair, where he performed in a dramatic adaptation of Homer’s Iliad — a production based on the Gujarati translation by the revered educationist and translator, Pujya Leenaben. This early exposure to classical world literature, and his role as a young artist in the play, ignited his lifelong passion for stories that transcend borders and eras.

While he eventually pursued a B.A. (Honours) in Psychology from St. Xavier’s College, Ahmedabad, the values cultivated at Shreyas never left his side. They became the moral compass guiding him through his decades-long career in journalism — first with Gujarat Samachar and later with Sandesh, where he became known for his keen insights and sensitive portrayals of human struggles.

Devendra Patel did not limit his world to the regional or national; he immersed himself in world literature and philosophy, reading and reflecting on a wide array of global thinkers. Some of the texts he read, he also translated or helped make accessible to Gujarati readers. His writing reflects this wide-ranging intellect and his deep concern for humanity, often giving voice to those unheard and unseen.

He is especially known for his long-running, heartfelt column Kabhi Kabhi, where he blended storytelling with social commentary. His work speaks not just to the news of the day, but to the timeless human condition.

To this day, Devendra Patel remains emotionally and actively connected with the International Shreyas Alumni Network. For him, Shreyas is not just a school — it is sacred ground where his vision was shaped, where values took root, and where lifelong friendships blossomed. Every chapter of his journey carries the imprint of Shreyas — in his thoughts, in his words, and in his unwavering dedication to truth, justice, and humanity. His life is not only a record of personal excellence but a tribute to the soul-touching education that Shreyas has always stood for: one that nourishes the mind, the spirit, and the conscience…………ARPAN BHATT