The sweet breezes wafting across the sands of Chowpatty in our neighbourhood, lift our vision to amazing structures like Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan.
The simple clean lined architecture of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan is art deco in style. Art-deco has its origin in Paris, around 1910, to give a stylized element to the steel brick and mortar of industry. The symmetry is set off by majestic Indo-Islamic domes rounding off the pinnacle sweeping across skies and horizons: the span of history, culture, music and education that works on the promise of building an India. Admired by the world. Leading the world.
The dynamics of the building originated from Doctor Munshi’s versatility in 1938. Carrying the richness of a man’s life that went beyond to explore possibilities. Taught by greats like Sri Aurobindo, Dr Munshi was drawn to politics. He associated with Doctor Annie Besant & Mahatma Gandhi and participated in the Salt Satyagraha, 1930, served two years of rigorous prison.
Dr. Munshi established himself in a legal career. He loved the English language, championed Sanskrit and believed in a united India strong at the centre.
Within his busy schedule he found time to write novels, plays and essays in Gujarati. His passion for literature and arts spread to education, where he advocated equality and excellence.
The Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan rooted in its belief of spectacular progress is in sync with the ideals of: ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ (The World is one Family) and ‘Aa no bhadraah kratavo yantu Vishwatah’ (Let noble thoughts come to us from every side). A one of its kind institution in the world offering a second to none spectrum of multi-dimensional programmes for the enhancement of students and each and every citizen.
Unparalleled educational excellence:
The Bhavan’s educational institutions born under the aegis of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan carries its emblem of unsurpassed distinction.
Dr. S.Radhakrishnan, former President of India and founder member of the Bhavan said “The Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan has been doing excellent work all these years in getting our generation back to its roots. In the noise and intensity of modern life the youth are wandering bewildered. It is essential for them to get back to the roots and that is why I appreciate very much the work which the Bharatiya Vidya Bavan is doing.”
From the fountainhead of Mumbai, Bhavan’s has spread to more than 119 centres in India and 7 centres abroad. It runs 367 institutions including 91 schools, imparting education to more than 3,00,000 students every year. Some of the institutes are highly sought after by students for learning engineering and management excellence like Sardar Patel College of Engineering, Sardar Patel Institute of Technology and SP Jain Institute of Management and Research.
Bhavan’s rich legacy encompasses scriptures, humanities, arts & fine arts, science and technology, engineering, public affairs & administration, vocational training, foreign language, mass media, Commerce & Management studies.
Bhavan’s Chowpatty as an institution stands strongly for our culture by conducting diploma courses on the Gita and Sanskrit. They conduct a excellent course in Astrology and also teach classical music and instruments to learners. Their auditorium is frequently used for classical music and dance shows. A line from the quote of Pt. Birju Maharaj, world renowned kathak dancer mentions ”The Bhavan has strived to preserve, sustain and propagate India’s ageless culture with great dedication.”
A vanguard of Gujarati Theatre. It’s unfading sparkle for staging legendary inter-collegiate drama fests have actually honed stars like Rajesh Khanna. Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan by the bay is the wave that rises again and again to give us the ocean. Looking out to shores yet to be discovered. They also host well thought entertainment programs for all ages including seniors.
Its library in addition to 60,000 books has one of the best Indological libraries in the country. Contains a museum of rare palm-leaf manuscripts, and other archival materials. Bhavan publishes books on spirituality, philosophy, traditional culture and values. The institute also promotes research, journals and papers that correlate ancient insights to modern discoveries.
The Bhavan’s Gandhi Institute of Computer Centre has drawn praise from Bill Gates. He contributed Rs 25 million along with other donors, Lakshmi Mittal, Tatas and HDFC. The Computer Centre, the brain child of Shri Murli Deora, started in 1996 has become the hallmark for providing free computer education to one and all. Today it has 22 computer learning centres across India. Bill Gates said “My faith in India is well placed… Bhavan’s Gandhi Institute’s Project of making even poor and disadvantaged computer savvy was a model to the world and the privilege of being involved in it spurs me on.”
Bhavan’s has been the recipient of many awards including: The International Gandhi Peace Prize; The Communal Harmony Award; The Educational Institute of National Eminence and The Rajiv Gandhi Award for National Integration. A postage stamp has also been commemorated in its honour to celebrate 75 years of completion.
As we look up to the heavens to study stellar patterns, to ascertain where an expanding universe is leading us, we have the wings of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan and its entrepreneurial approach to education unlock for us thought, words, ideas, beliefs, intelligence and wisdom that is leading India’s modern renaissance. A light that’ll shine forever to lift humanity to the highest planes of innovation.
It is appropriately referred to as the cultural centre of our neighbourhood, where people of all ages can gather to educate, learn, and practice – music, dance, and literature of our ancient Indian culture.
(Article contributed and written by Sujoy Sen, content writer having experience of 25 years, email: sujoycoolin@gmail.com)
