1976

List of past Directors

Sr. No.	Name	Designation	Tenure
1	Shri Jheenabhai Ratanji Desai	Director	1969 to 4.2.1987
2	Shri Saubhagyachand K. Shah	Administrative Director	4.2.1987 to 1.4.1997
		Executive Director	1.4.1997 to 20.2.1999
3	Shri Rameshbhai Dave	Education Director	4.2.1987 to 31.3.1997
4	Shri Paresh Nayak	Director	19.5.2008 to 3.7.2008
5	Shri Tushar Purani	Director	1.2.2009 to 31.10.2015
6	Dr. Rajendrasinh Jadeja	Director	16.11.2015 to 30.4.2017
7	Dr. KiritJoshi	Director	15.7.2017 to 30.6.2021
8	Dr. Vaishali Shah	Director	1.7.2021 onwards

Jheenabhai Desai : Snehrashmi(1903 – 1991)

Jheenabhai Desai, popularly known as Snehrashmi, became Principal in 1938 and thereafter Director of Vidyavihar. For almost half a century, he devoted his time and energy nourishing the institutions with unusual zeal and passion. A poet of national repute, he introduced the Japanese poetic form ‘haiku’ into Gujarati literature. Music, dance, drama, elocution were the staple of his educational philosophy. He also served as a senate and syndicate member in different universities of the state of Gujarat. He also served as a member of the Sahitya Academy and Historical Records Commission. He won the President’s Best Teacher Award, Ranjitram Gold medal and Chandrakant Memorial Award.

Ambalal Sarabhai (1890 – 1967)

Son of Sarabhai Maganbhai and nephew of Chimanlal Nagindas, the responsibility of managing the family business and wealth fell on Ambalalbhai at a very young age. With great patience and vision, he helped Manek-kaki in the key affairs of the C. N. institutions. His famous words to Manekba were: ‘When a person bequeaths his wealth to a Trust, he does so to cater to the present-day needs of the society. Therefore, a major share must be spent to alleviate the present condition rather than saving it for future needs.’

Indumatibahen Chimanlal (1906 – 1985)

A force to reckon with and a crusader in her own right, it was Indumatibahen who nurtured and developed the present C. N. campus. Indumatibahen was the Deputy Education Minister in the undivided state of Mumbai and when Gujarat separated in 1960, she became the first education minister of Gujarat. Sensing the need for trained teachers, she had the foresight to establish four teacher training colleges on campus.

Smt. Manekba Chimanlal (1887 – 1953)

After her husband’s unfortunate demise at a young age of 40, it was Manekba who wowed to take his dream forward. She established the first institution – Kumar Chhatralaya – in the memory of Sheth Chimanlal thereby paving the way for other institutions. About her, it is said that she spent the larger part of her day sitting and knitting at the Kumar Chhatralaya, keeping a watchful eye on the boys’ needs. A firm believer in the value of trusteeship, she refused to eat or drink at the hostel kitchen. On one occasion, when she had to dine with the guests, she paid the entire food bill for the day.

Sheth Chimanlal Nagindas (1867 – 1908)

For Sheth Chimanlal, a philanthropist and visionary, charity began, quite literally, at home. Indigent students from rural areas were given shelter in his own house with sound education to improve their future life prospects. He bequeathed his entire property and wealth to the Trust (named after his brother Sarabhai Maganbhai) solely for educational purposes.

Science and commerce classes started