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.
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:
Adherence to truth and non-violence Participation in productive work with a sense of dignity of labour Acceptance of equality of religions Priority for the needs of village dwellers in all curricula Use of mother-tongue as a medium of instructions
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.
No.Portrait NameTerm of office Remarks 1 Mahatma Gandhi 18 October 1920 30 January 1948 Freedom fighter & President of the Indian National Congress (1924–1925) 2 Vallabhbhai Patel 14 June 1948 15 December 1950 Deputy Prime Minister of India (1947–1950) 3 Dr. Rajendra Prasad 14 March 1951 28 February 1963 President of India (1950–1962) 4 Morarji Desai 16 June 1963 10 April 1995 Prime Minister of India (1977–1979) 5 Ramlal Parikh 23 June 199 21 November 1999 6 Dr. Sushila Nayair 26 June 2000 3 January 2001 Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare (1962–1967) 7 Navinchandra Barot 26 June 2001 1 August 2002 8 Navalbhai Shah 4 October 2002 15 February 2003 9 Ravindra Varma 18 July 2003 09 October 2006 Union Minister of Labour & Parliamentary Affairs (1977–1979) 10 Narayan Desai 23 July 2007 7 March 2015 Eminent author 11 Ela Ramesh Bhatt 7 March 2015 19 October 2022 Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha (1986–1988) 12 Acharya Devvrat 20 October 2022 Incumbent Governor of Gujarat (2019–Incumbent)
References