A Historical Overview

Vidya Pratishthan is a prestigious educational Institution and has done noble service in tackling a Herculean task. How the Institution has outshone itself is, mentioned in this historical overview.

Vidya Pratishthan was established on 16th October 1972. The Hon.Shri. Sharadrao Pawar thought of and planned for a well equipped modern English Medium School at Baramati, with the help of the Government and notable citizens. He was of the view that if the students from the rural areas have to prove themselves then they must be educated in English. He felt that the students are intelligent well conversant in their subject matter but cannot express themselves in competitive examinations due to the lack of proficiency in English. He discussed the matter with several prominent citizens from in and around Baramati. The first meeting took place at the Late. Shri. Vinodkumar Gujar’s house at Kacheri Road, Mr.Vinodkumar Gujar was the then President of Baramati Municipal Council. A few well known citizens were also present for that meeting and they univocally approved the idea. The mother institute was to be named “Vidya Pratishthan” and a trust was to be formed.

The following dignitaries were appointed on the Executive Council

Shri Sharadchandra G Pawar

President

Shri Sharad S Wadkar

Secretary

Dr. Motilal R Shah

Member

Shri Vinodkumar V Gujar

Vice President

Shri Kamalakant T Dhavan Patil

Member

Adv. B.B.Ghule

Member

Shri Khushalchand R Chajjed

Member

Shri Dhondiba A Satav

Member

Shri Haribhau G Deshpande

Member

The following institutional heads were also accommodated as members of the Executive Council

The Chairmen and Executive Directors of the Malegaon Cooperative Sugar Factory (Shivnagar) and Shri Chatrapati Cooperative Sugar Factory (Bhavaninagar), the Chairman of the Krushi Utpanna Bazar Samiti Baramati, and the President of the Baramati Nagar Parishad.

In 1972 Maharashtra experienced a severe drought.The Institution as its social responsibility decided to provide Free food to all the students of the affected areas of Baramati Taluka.

BAL VIKAS MANDIR SCHOOL-1972

Hon.Shri Sharadrao Pawar presented the proposal for starting an English Medium School before the members of the Executive Council. It received their univocal approval. It was decided that the said school would be run by Maharashtra Education Society Pune and the draft of the contract was placed before the Executive Council. As per the draft contract the construction of the said School building was to be undertaken by Vidya Pratishthan and that the School would be run by Maharashtra Education Society Pune. Thus Bal Vikas Mandir was born in 1972.

As per the contract Maharashtra Education Society was to educate the students from Std. IV onwards. However MES was unable to do the needful. Vidya Pratishthan took over this responsibility for which respected Late B.G.Ghare Sir, provided the necessary and able guidance. He put in 12 years of dedicated service for Bal Vikas Mandir in an honorary capacity. Due to his efforts and contribution the first batch of Std. 10th successfully achieved 100% results in the SSC Examination of March 1984. An ICSE Section affiliated to the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations, New Delhi was started in 1989 and the first Batch of students passed out in 1994 with cent percent pass results.

The Institute of Information Technology and College of Engineering was established in 2000. The School of Biotechnology in 2001. All the colleges are affiliated to the University of Pune.

Presently Vidya Pratishthan runs the following Schools and Colleges apart from those that have been mentioned above

1972

Vidya Pratishthan's Vinod Kumar Gujar Bal Vikas Mandir, Baramati

1990

Vidya Pratishthan's College of Education

1992

Vidya Pratishthan's Marathi Medium School - Pre-Primary

1992

Vidya Pratishthan's Marathi Medium School - Primary

1992

Vidya Pratishthan's Marathi Medium School - Secondary

1993

Vidya Pratishthan's English Medium School (CBSE)

1994

Vidya Pratishthan's Arts, Science & Commerce College

1999

Vidya Pratishthan's Vasantrao Pawar Law College

1999

Vidya Pratishthan's English Medium School (BILT Branch), Bhigwa

2000

Vidya Pratishthan's Institute of Information Technology

Vidyanagari Indapur, houses a Polytechnic, English Medium School, Commerce and Science College, Principal and Staff quarters, Boys’ and Girls’ Hostels, Commercial Complex and a mess for the staff and students. The Indapur campus occupies 60 acres of land and it took 18 years for its completion.

Baramati Vidynagari Complex occupies 125 acres it has 6 Ladies’ and 3 Boys’ Hostels. The hostels are safe, well equipped and homely. The parents are assured about their wards’ safety. Vidynagari, Baramati also houses two buildings for CBSE schools, Gymnasia for boys and girls. Graded Quarters for all the members of the Staff. A unique modern auditorium with a seating capacity of 2500, named Ga.Di.Ma. in the memory of the great Marathi literati Shree Ga Di Madgulkar.

The Vidyanagari Complex is beautifully landscaped. It houses the Central Administrative Building, Banks, Vasundhar FM Radio Station, a Commercial Complex, and three large playgrounds. A huge Library with 65,870 books spread over three halls caters to the needs of 1000 students at a time. One hall contains books received as gifts by Hon President Shri Sharad Pawar. An independent museum showcases the gifts and felicitation awards and artifacts presented to Shri. Pawarsaheb. It is open for general public free of cost.

25,000 students are receiving education at various educational units of Vidya Pratishthan. They are ably supported by 1400 teaching and 600 non teaching staff . Vidya Pratishthan does not take any donation for admissions and its employees are paid according to Latest Government Pay Commission. The Principals are given full freedom to administer their Institutions. Vidya Pratishthan Baramati has an excellent track record and is known for its excellence not only in Maharashtra but throughout India.

The institute is deeply indebted to Shri. B.G. Ghare and Shri. T.T.Burrows who inculcated a strong educational culture in the students which helped them to be good human beings and active citizens. The institute will always be obliged to Hon.Sharadrao Pawar as it is his ‘Brain Child’ . It was impossible to take the institution to these heights without Pawarsaheb’s all round support. Hon Shri Ajitdada Pawar- Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra has always given us immediate, effective and unconditional support. He conducts regular meeting with the Heads of all Vidya Pratishthan Institutions to review the progress and development of each unit.

All the schools of Vidya Pratishthan have a record of 100% pass results in the Std.X Board Examinations. The numbers of students passing with distinction is increasing each year. Our students have been successful as IAS officers, Military Officers, Doctors, and Engineers. Many of them are doing well abroad especially in USA and W.Europe. All this is due to quality education imparted to them by Vidya Pratishthan.

The institute cherishes an ardent hope to achieve many other high goals in the coming future and for which it prays for support from one and all.

D.R.Unde
Secretary, Vidya Pratishthan Baramati 413 133

(Translated from Marathi by Advocate Ashok Prabhune, Vice President ,Vidya Pratishthan Baramati 413133)