Founder's History

Shri Velji Lakhamshi Nappoo (VLN), blessed with the trinity of body, mind and money, is one of those rare gems who gave 100 per cent commitment to human welfare in this world.

At the age of 6 VLN came to Mumbai to pursue his studies, wherein he studied Gujarati at home and joined St. Xavier High School in 1899. Thus he put in efforts for two classes simultaneously in a year and moved forward. He passed his Matriculation in 1904 at the age of 15 securing the first rank among the Kutchis and got a Rao Sir Pragmalji scholarship and award for this success. VLN joined St. Xavier’s College for further studies wherein he cleared his B.A. Examination in 1909. He did his articles at Malvi Ranchhoddas & Co.,Solicitors and started LL.B. studies in the Law College. Having passed his LL.B. Examination in 1911 he went on to become the first Advocate and Post-Graduate in the KVO community.

There was a function to felicitate him organized by Sthanakvasi and Deravasi Mahajans (businessmen) when VLN cleared his B.A.LL.B. In this event, his father announced a donation of Rs.5000 for the students of community with no distinction between Sthanakvasi and Deravasi. This was a catalytic act which spurred the audience for donating and a collection of a very princely sum of Rs. 13,000/- was made in the year 1912. Stepping stones towards Educational transformation of the Community. In receipt of a contribution of Rs. 5000 from benevolent gentlemen of the community, VLN began a provisional hostel with just two students in 1915. He worked in different capacities for the development of this institution, which went on to receive one of the biggest donations of Rs. 1,25,000 from the descendents of Shri Hirji Bhojraj and it was named as Shri Hirji Bhojraj & Sons KVO Jain Chhatralaya, Matunga. Thus VLN can rightly be called as the founding father of this institution which is also popularly known as Matunga Boarding.

VLN contributed immensely in the setting-up and running of Shri KVO Sthanakvasi Jain Pathshala, Chinchpokli which has now grown into a group of well-known schools in the Southern Mumbai namely -

Velji Lakhamshi Nappoo High School and Junior college of Commerce
Shri Premji Devji Kanya Vidyalaya
Matushri Kunverbai Velji Vidyalaya
Ku. Bhadravati Ramji Shivji Balmandir
Anchor and Kenia English Medium School

The Indian Education Society was established for starting school in the Dadar area and took over the financial responsibilities as Trustee right from the beginning. Since 1918, he also worked as the Managing Trustee of Ranshibhai Devraj School, Mundra. He rendered services as the Trustee and the President of Shri Jain Kelavani Mandal, Mumbai and also as the Trustee of Shri Gokhale Education Society. He took interest in the establishment of Shri Kutchi Visa Oswal Jain Education Society and Shri Kutchi Visa Oswal Seva Samaj, Mumbai as well provided expert guidance. He had separately provided Rs.1 lakh in the pious memory of his father and out of this fund started Shri Lakhamsi Nappoo School in 1920 and Matushri Velbai Kanyashala in 1931 in his village Baroi.