Gujarat Vidyapith Explained

Gujarat Vidyapith
Native Name:ગૂજરાત વિદ્યાપીઠ
Native Name Lang:Gu
Motto:सा विद्या या विमुक्तये
Motto Lang:sa
Chancellor:Acharya Devvrat[1]
Vice Chancellor:Dr. Harshad A. Patel
Head Label:Registrar
Head:Dr. Nikhil Bhatt
Address:Gujarat Vidyapeeth Nr. Income Tax Office, Ashram Road, Ahmedabad - 380009
Campus:Urban

23.035°N 72.5683°W

Gujarat Vidyapith is a deemed university in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India. This institute was founded in 1920 by Mahatma Gandhi, India's "Father of the Nation" and the leader of the Indian independence movement. It has been deemed university since 1963.[2]

Etymology

"Vidyapith," in many languages of India, means university.

History

The university was founded on 18 October 1920 as a 'Rashtriya Vidyapith' ('National University') by Mahatma Gandhi, who would serve throughout his life as the kulpati (chancellor) and all needs of Fund collected by sardar Vallabhbhai Patel by his personal relations and capacity.

The Gujarat Vidyapith was started in Dahyabhai Mehta's bungalow behind the Kocharab Ashram (the Kocharab Aashram was started in barrister Jivanlal Desai's bungalow).

Its purpose was to promote educational institutions run by Indians for Indians outside the financial and governing control of British authorities. The university helped nationalists establish a system of education for all Indians, thus proving the country's independence from British-run institutions and de-legitimizing the British Raj. Its foundation was one of the important event of an initiative satyagraha launched by Gandhi as a means to peacefully terminate British rule in India.

The vidyapith's foundation was emulated by nationalists in Benares, Bombay, Calcutta, Nagpur, Madras and in many cities across India. Answering Gandhi's call to boycott British institutions, influences and goods, many thousands of students and teachers left British colleges to join the Vidyapith.

People like Jivatram Kripalani and Nanabhai Bhatt volunteered to teach.

The Gujarat Vidyapith became a 'deemed university' in 1963. It is funded and governed by the University Grants Commission, under the Union Ministry for Human Resources Development in New Delhi. Although considerably modernized in its structure and curriculum, the university maintains its commitment to Gandhian ideals, human studies, social service and development work.

Goals

The institution officially embraced Gandhi's goals as its mission:

Central facilities and administration

The university offers a wide range of degrees, including Ph.D. programs and doctoral studies. Institute's central library has grown over the years to become one of the richest repositories of books, journals and manuscripts in Gujarat. As of March 2022, central library has a collection of 5,93,533 books, 252 journals, 17 newspapers and 691 manuscripts. Institute has 7 boys hostels and 3 girls hostels. It continues to emphasize social service, Gandhian studies and subjects associated with religion and culture.

List of chancellors of Gujarat Vidyapith

The following have held the post of the Chancellor of Gujarat Vidyapith.[3]

No.Namewidth=75PortraitTerm of officeRemarks
1Mahatma Gandhi18-10-192030-01-1948Freedom fighter & President of the Indian National Congress (1924–1925)
2Vallabhbhai Patel14-06-194815-12-1950Deputy Prime Minister of India (1947–1950)
3Dr. Rajendra Prasad14-03-195128-02-1963President of India (1950–1962)
4Morarji Desai16-06-196310-04-1995Prime Minister of India (1977–1979)
5Prof. Ramlal Parikh23-06-199621-11-1999
6Dr. Sushila Nayair26-06-200003-01-2001Union Minister of Health (1962–1967)
7Navinchandra Barot26-06-200101-08-2002
8Navalbhai Shah04-10-200215-02-2003
9Ravindra Varma18-07-200309-10-2006Union Minister of Labour & Parliamentary Affairs (1977–1979)
10Narayan Desai23-07-200707-03-2015Eminent author
11Ela Ramesh Bhatt07-03-201519-10-2022Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha (1986–1988)
12Acharya Devvrat20-10-2022Incumbent Governor of Gujarat (2019–Incumbent)

Notes and References

  1. News: 12 October 2022 . Governor Acharya Devvrat accepts invitation, will be Gujarat Vidyapith's 12th Chancellor . The Indian Express . 12 October 2022.
  2. Web site: Welcome to Gujarat Vidyapith - Ahmedabad. www.gujaratvidyapith.org.
  3. Web site: Chancellors of Gujarat Vidyapith . 12 October 2022 . Gujarat Vidyapith.