3 Jan 2019 : At Dr. Bhanuben Nanavati College of Architecture, Pune
My buddy Ajit Joshi put me in touch with Rajan Gorhe – Chairman of the Maharshi Karve Stree Shikshan Sanstha. Rajan was keen to move forward immediately. The MKSSS has over 26,000 students in various institutes. We finally decided to do one session, and picked the college where we would have students who have started driving. Dr Kashyap – Principal of the college – got in touch with me to plan the event. Unfortunately, both Rajan Gorhe and Dr Kashyap had prior commitments, so they were not present for the event. However, they managed all the coordination in the background to ensure that it was successful.
We had over 300 students in the auditorium, some sitting on the floor. All in the age group 17-21 years. This is the age group that we most want to reach out to.
When Shubhangi talked about the background – about Arundhati and how her accident led us to shed the fatalistic attitude – there was pin-drop silence. Shubhangi’s words connected deeply.
The students had a limited time for lunch before their next lecture. But they stayed on to sign the pledge.
We also got feedback from a few students which was very encouraging. Here are a few comments from the students:
“We are grateful to the college for bringing forward such an important issue. It was truly a heart touching session. Thank you so much”
“Thank you for arranging the lecture … it was really worth attending for all of us”
“It was a very inspiring talk. They both spoke fervently, and from the depths of their heart”
Mr. Nitin, a faculty at the college, is currently doing a project on the streamlining of traffic on Bajirao road. We would certainly like to collaborate with such ventures to make our roads safer.
We intend to take this further with Dr. Kashyap and Mr Gorhe. We will take a more comprehensive view and draw up a joint plan.
We had the good fortune to visit the original “karma bhoomi” of Maharshi Karve. This was the hut where he started his mission of educating women, beginning with 4 widows. The institute now has 62 branches, educating over 26,000 girl students. See https://maharshikarve.ac.in/about-us/about-mksss/
Next to this is the “Sampada Bakery” where the senior students are encouraged to “earn and learn”. We talked to two such students, and both of them are also shining in their academics! It is obvious that they have a lot of pride towards the work they do. Equally notable is the work of the staff who ensure that the work is managed smoothly while allowing for the time required by the students for their studies / exams / etc.
It is also remarkable that the institution that Maharshi Karve founded has continued to flourish and continued to make such a large impact after his active involvement ceased. We, at The Arundhati Foundation, have a lot to learn from the MKSSS.
A special thanks to Mrs. Sangita Mohokar who helped us conduct the session at the BNCA.
Very important session for Youth to understand life is so valuable.
We are blessed being a member of Maharshi Karve Stree Shikshan Samstha where we are family and honorable Gorhe Sir and all respective authorities take care of every aspect of the family to enlighten our lives.