Dr. G. M. Patil, the founder President of the prestigious Karnataka Progressive Education (K.P.E) Society was born on 22nd March, 1925. He was an eminent lawyer in the North Karnataka region, who with his yeomen service to the society has carved a place for himself in the heart of North Kannadigas.
Dr. G. M. Patil obtained his M.A. in Philosophy and Bachelor of Laws from Karnatak University, Dharwad and joined Dharwad Bar Association in the year 1954 and started his profession under the able guidance of Hon’ble Shri. R. M. Patil, senior Advocate who later became Home Minister, Govt. of Karnataka.
As a distinguished lawyer, he had acquired lucrative practice. As early as in 1960, the Government of Karnataka appointed him as Public Prosecutor of Dharwad and he has to his credit the fame of being youngest Public Prosecutor of those days. In his capacity as Public Prosecutor, he conducted not less than 200 sessions trials, out of which more than a dozen were sensational trials. As a defence counsel his spark caught the authority of the Government of Karnataka again and he was appointed as a special Public Prosecutor to Belgaum.
Dr. G. M. Patil was also an Academician, par excellence. He taught various subjects of Law at Janata Sikshana Samiti’s, Sakri Law College, Hubballi and University College of Law, Dharwad.
Apart from Academics, Philanthropy was one such area which was very close to Dr. G. M. Patil’s heart. He has played an instrumental role in rendering academic services and legal education in the backward region and amongst the under privileged and poor masses. Considering his noble services to the society, he was honoured with the distinguished Karnataka Rajyotsava Award in the year 1990. Karnataka University, Dharwad honoured him with Honorary Doctorate in Laws Honoris Causa in the year 2004.
Dr. G. M. Patil was an esteemed Trustee and Chairman of the prestigious Loka Shikshana Trust which publishes, Samyukta Karanataka, a Kannada daily and group of other papers. The Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation has named a street as “Shri G. M. Patil Marga” in Dharwad in his honour. Dr. G. M. Patil was also a pious man. He was appointed as the Trustee of Maltesh Temple of Devaragudda, Ranebennur Taluka, Haveri District by Hon’ble Principal District and Sessions Judge Dharwad in the year 1996. Within a short span of five years, he collected about rupees 3 crores from the devotees and constructed a community hall and a Guest House comprising around 21 Guest Rooms in Devargudda. He also constructed Mahalaxmi Temple in K.P.E.S Campus in 1996.
In the year 1975, he was a pioneer in establishing the prestigious K.P.E.S. Law College and rendered his services as founder Principal for nearly 22 years. Sir, was also Senate Member at Karnataka University, Dharwad and was also a member of Karnataka State Bar Council.
Dr. G. M. Patil was a distinguished and eminent lawyer, an excellent academician and a philanthropist by his deeds. After completing satisfactorily his services to the mankind, he left for heavenly abode on 11-02-2009 after donating his eyes.