The year 1896 marks the beginning of a new era in the history of women’s education in India when Dr. Dhondo Keshav Karve established an ashram for widows and helpless women at Hingne, near Pune. He realized that to make these women self-sufficient, self-reliant and self-confident, schooling was essential at the ashram. Karve launched a programme of schooling at the ashram, which latter became regular school for girls and women. In a society governed by age old customs and conservative attitudes towards women, an institution of this type was bound to face social and economic difficulties. He had a dream of establishing women’s university and his friends sent him a booklet on the Japanese women’s university at Tokyo. In December 1915 Karve in his presidential address to the National Social Reform Congress at Bombay announced his decision to shape his dream into reality. An in 1916 the first college started with the enrolment of five students which gradually took shape as women’s university. Karve did not wait for the Government permission for funds……
The vision of Maharshi Karve and the foresight of Sir Vithaldas Thackersey led to the establishment of the first Women’s University in India. Recognizing the pioneering work of Dr. Karve, Sir Vithaldas Thackersey made a generous contribution of Rs. 15 Lacs to commemorate the memory of his mother, Nathibai. In 1920 after the great benefactor’s mother Nathibai, the University was named as Shreemati Nathibai Damodar Thackersey Women’s University (S.N.D.T.).
In 1936, the head quarters of the University were shifted to Bombay. The University continued to grow, providing higher education to more and more women. In 1951, the University was granted statutory recognition and was renamed as Shreemati Nathibai Thackersey Women’s University, now popularly known as SNDT Women’s University. The recognition came along with the rare privilege of having a jurisdiction across the country.
Last year, the SNDT University has celebrated Centenary year. SNDT has become a symbol of excellence in higher educational opportunities for women. The journey has been a long one since 1916. There are three university campuses-two at Mumbai-Churchgate and Juhu and one at Karve Road, Pune.
The vision of Bharat Ratna Dr. D.K. Karve to build a citadel of learning for women is encapsulated in the motto of the University- ‘Sanskrita Stree Parashakti’ (An enlightened woman is a source of infinite strength). For over almost a century, the University has been striving for and growing to newer heights of performance and outreach.
Shree Swaminarayan Physiotherapy College (SSPTC) is proud of being first residential Physiotherapy girls’ College in India ! The Physiotherapy students studying here are having lot of facilities as well as time for study, practical training and extra-curricular activities.