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Sheth Chimanlal Nagindas’s Vision for Education


Tasya Bhasa Vibhati
The glowing light of the Brahmand radiates all around and all bright objects in the universe – the sun, the moon, stars and fire – derive their light from it.
This verse from the Kathopnishad, inscribed on C. N. Vidyavihar’s emblem, inspires the students who study here to follow knowledge and wisdom in their purest form, for this alone brings illumination.
Memoir & Educational - Cultural Ideology
Sheth Chimanlal Nagindas Vidyavihar is popularly known as Sheth C N Vidyavihar and it is also called ‘Shantiniketan’ of the West India. The education philosophy of the institute is based on Gandhian values.
Sheth Chimanlal Nagindas, a ‘Jain Shreshthi’ of Ahmedabad, known as devotee of charity, modesty and education. He was successful businessman and also known as ‘Banking Tiger’ of his time. He dedicated his entire life for his love for education, humanity, patriotism, social upliftment and culture. This organization originated as the dream seed of such noble ideas. He believed that through value based education one could bring with him the welfare of the whole society besides his family. His spirit for public welfare and his purpose of realizing it was real and rare which is realized through his deeds. His motto of ‘Do It Now’ is still guiding, exemplary and inspiring today.
In the year 1908, he made his historic will. According to one of the provision of his will, to provide education to the needy students of surrounding villages of the Ahmedabad city, he created the trust named ‘Sheth Sarabhai Maganbhai Trust Fund’ in the name of his late brother Sarabhai with a noble spirit. He died within three months after making of his will. To embody Sheth Chimallal’s dream, his wife Manekba started Sheth C.N. Kumar Chhatralay in 1912 with the help of his nephew Ambalal Sarabhai and other trustees. The institute has been imparting valuable education to the students since last 109 years through high character building and holistic development. In the present times of English Medium Vogue Sheth C.N. Vidyavihar has been in the forfront for education in Mother Tongue.
Padma Shri Indumatibahen Sheth, daughter of Sheth Chimanlal Nagindas, was education minister of Maharashtra and then Gujarat. She devoted her entire life to the kind of education. She did many social welfare works in association with various organizations for the upliftment of the society. Indumatibahen and ‘Best Teacher’ awardee by Indian Government, Principal of Vidyalaya (Secondary & Higher Secondary) Shri Jhinabhai Desai had given significant contributions in the development of Vidyavihar for more than 50 years. Today, about 4500 students are nurtured on the campus. Having received valuable education from renowned and ideal gurus of Vidyavihar, many students are successfully leading prestigious positions in various fields across the country as well as all over the globe and are shining the name of Vidyavihar. Currently Vidyavihar family is comprised of Kindergarten, Kindergarten Special Classes, Bal Vidyalaya, Balvidyalaya Special Classes, Kishore Vidyalaya, Vidyalaya (Sec. & H. Sec.), English Medium School (CBSE), Training Colleges like D.EL.Ed. College, College of Education (B.Ed. College) Art Teacher Diploma, Fine Arts College, Technical Center, Special Institutions like Computer Center, English Center, Sports Academy, Kalaniketan as well Kumar and Kanya chhatralayaa(Boys & Girls Hostel).
In the year 1938, Shri Jheenabhai Desai ‘Sneharashmi’ had given name ‘Vidyavihar’ to the entire campus. Even today, the institute is imparting education keeping pace with the current trends without deviating from its Gandhian values and lofty goals.
Timeline
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January 1
1908
Sheth Chimanlal Nagindas makes his will
In 1908 Sheth Chimanlal Nagindas prepares his will; one of the provisions being establishing a Trust in the name of his late brother – Sheth Sarabhai Maganbhai and starting a boarding school from the interest accrued. He passes away within four months of making this will.
January 1
1912
Establishment of Kumar Chhatralaya
Smt Manekba Chimanlal establishes Kumar Chhatralaya – the first C. N. institution – in memory of her late husband on 26th of April, 1912. With 10 boys from rural areas, the boys’ hostel makes a beginning at Maganbhai ni Wadi in Gheekanta.
January 1
1921
Chhatralaya shifts to new premises
Chhatralaya shifts to Sheth Ambalal Sarabhai’s bungalow ‘Shantisadan’ in Mirzapur from the rented facility at Maganbhai ni Wadi.
January 1
1926
Secondary and Middle Schools started
The Trust starts its own middle school (Standards 5 to 7) and high school (Standards 8 to 12) on 8.6.1926 laying emphasis on holistic education. The school admits only boys who stay at the Kumar Chhatralaya.
January 1
1928
Chhatralaya shifts again
Chhatralaya shifts once agin from ‘Shantisadan’ Bungalow to Military bunglow, Khanpur. Chiman Chhatra Sangh, an association of hostel students, is established.
January 1
1929
Land acquired in Ambawadi
A plot of land is acquired for the development of the campus which today stands in the heart of the city in Ambawadi area.
January 1
1933
Inauguration of high school building
The high school building is inaugurated on the Ambawadi campus on 26th February, 1933 and khadi is introduced as the on-campus dress code for students and staff.
January 1
1937
Establishment of Sheth C. N. Technical Centre
Sheth C.N. Technical Centre is established; providing vocational training courses to students who have passed S.S.C. Exam.
January 1
1937
Indumatibahen elected to Ahmedabad Municipal School Board
Indumatibahen Chimanlal is elected as a member of Ahmedabad Municipal School Board
January 1
1937
Admissions opened for all
C. N. schools open their doors to Ahmedabad-based children and goes on to become one of the best vernacular medium institutions in the State of Gujarat.
January 1
1938
The campus is named Vidyavihar
Shri Snehrashmi coins the word ‘Vidyavihar’ for the entire campus comprising Chhatralaya, Vidyalaya and Udyogalaya and the institution celebrates its Silver Jubilee.
January 1
1941
Baal Vidyalaya
The primary section Baal Vidyalaya (Standards 1 to 4) is started.
January 1
1945
Establishment of Shishuvihar and Kanya Chhatralaya
Shishuvihar (pre-primary) section is started. Kanya Chhatralaya is established enrolling girls from rural areas and thereby opening up educational opportunities to them.
January 1
1947
Establishment of P.T.C.
In 1947 Primary Teachers Training College is established.
January 1
1952
Indumatibahen becomes Deputy Education Minister of Bombay State
Indumatibahen is appointed as the Deputy Education Minister of the undivided State of Maharashtra.
January 1
1952
Art Teachers’ Diploma started
An art teachers’ diploma is started to give trained art teachers to the society.
January 1
1953
Mankeba Chimanlal Sheth passes away
This year sees the demise of Manekba Chimanlal and trustee Smt. Nirmalaben.
January 1
1959
Derasar
A separate building is constructed for Derasar on the campus surrounded by gardens on the front side;
January 1
1959
Manekba Vinay Vihar
Manekba Vinay Vihar is established at Adalaj.
January 1
1961
Shri Jheenabhai Desai is awarded as the Best Teacher
The then principal of C.N. Vidyalaya Shri Jheenabhai Desai, whose nom-de-plume is Snehrashmi is awarded the Best Teacher Award by the Government of India.
January 1
1961
Vyayam Vidyabhavan and Fine Arts Colleges started on the campus
Sensing the need for trained physical instructors, Indumatiben establishes the Vyayam Vidyabhavan. As the J. J. School of Arts goes to the State of Maharashtra, Indumatiben launches a fine arts college – the first in Gujarat.
January 1
1962
Vidyavinay Mangalnidhi Trust established
A Special Trust-The Vidya Vinay Mangal Nidhi is started for the benefit of the students for the purpose of giving educational loans and financial help to needy students, awarding scholarships, freeships and prizes for academic excellence.
January 1
1962
Indumatibahen becomes first Education Minister of Gujarat State
Indumatibahen wins the Gujarat Assembly elections and becomes the Education Minister of the State of Gujarat.
January 1
1964
Vyayam Vidyabhavan Diploma Course
Diploma Course for graduate students is started in Vyayam Vidyabhavan.
January 1
1964
Establishment of G.B.T.C.
In 1964 Graduate Basic Training College is established to provide trained teachers for high schools.
January 1
1964
Special Recognition to C. N. Vidyalaya
The high school is given special recognition of a multi-purpose school and the Government of India recognized it as the special science school. As part of this recognition, technical education classes are introduced in the school in 1965.
January 1
1965
Publication of Vidyavihar Geetmala
Vidyavihar Geetmala written and compiled by Bhailalbhai Shah is published.
January 1
1966
Dr. Vikram Sarabhai Awarded ‘Padma Bhushan’
Father of the Indian Space Science and a great scientist Dr. Vikram Sarabhai is awarded ‘Padma Bushan’ by the government of India for his contribution for Indian Space science.
January 1
1967
Demise of Sheth Ambalal Sarabhai
Ambalal Sarabhai Founder Trustee, who had played important role in development of Vidyavihar till 1967, passes away.
January 1
1968
Birth Centenary of Sheth Chimanlal Nagindas
The institution celebrates the birth centenary of Sheth Chimanlal Nagindas, organizes an exhibition titled ‘Gujarat Darshan’ and concludes the year by Publishing Chimanlal Nagindas Janma Shatabdi Ank.
January 1
1969
Indumatibahen appointed member of the UGC
Indumatibahen is appointed as a member of University Grants Commission of the Government of India.
January 1
1970
Indumatibahen is awarded Padmashree
Indumatiben Chimanlal Sheth is conferred the national award ‘Padmashree’ by the Government of India.
January 1
1971
Dr. Vikram Sarabhai passes away
India loses an eminent scientist and a visionary Dr. Vikaram Sarabhai and C. N. Vidyavihar a trustee.
January 1
1973
Health Centre established
A Health Centre is started for the hostel students and members of the staff to dispense emergency primary medical care and treatment on the campus.
January 1
1976
Science and commerce classes started
Science and Commerce classes are started in higher secondary school.
January 1
1981
Establishment of Kalaniketan
Kalaniketan is started on the campus to promote Indian Classical Music, Dance and other cultural activities.
January 1
1984
Sakal Kavita Published
Shri Zinabhai’s magnum opus Sakal Kavita is published
January 1
1985
Indumatibahen passes away
In this year, the Chairman and Managing Trustee late Indumatibahen passes away. As per her will, her bungalow called the ‘Chandan Bungalow’ was handed over to the Sheth Sarabhai Maganbhai Trust Fund.
January 1
1986
Shri Saubhagyachand K. Shah is conferred the Best Teacher Award
Shri Saubhagyachand Shah, the then, principal is conferred the Best Teacher Award.
January 1
1987
Publication of the book Sanskarmurti Indumatibahen
Jheenabhai Desai compiles ‘Sanskarmurti Indumatibahen’, a publication containing articles about Indumatibahen written by various people in her life.