History
It was a time of national awakening – it can be called the heyday of Gandhi Yuga. Young people seek fields of action for the implementation of idealism.
Two friends returning from the Delhi conference were thinking of contributing to the education sector of Gujarat. One of them was Mr. Chandubhai Dave and the other Mr. Bhogibhai Thacker. Shri Chandubhai was the principal of Vanita Ashram and Shri Bhogibhai was co-minister in Homerule League and Gujarat Women’s Education Mandal and rendered unpaid service in Vanita Ashram. In this consideration he joined Shri Savitaben Trivedi , Mrs. Savitaben Trivedi was one of the first female graduates of Gujarat.
The trio brought childhood education and female education to Ahmedabad – this was the second planting of today’s banyan tree-turned-Shardamandir. This sanskar trio started a sanskargriha in a shanty-like house in the middle of the fields.
The main objective was to implement female education and child education. Into this new field of work came Mr. Champaben and Mr. Heeraben and Mr. Govindbhai Thacker joined it by studying child education. Later Shri Vajubhai Dave also joined this group.
The founders of Sharda Mandir were educationists, visionaries and experimental souls; To him Mana Saradamandir was not just an institution but his own life.
Shri Bhogibhai’s Letter (1984).
Founders
Establishment
Sharadamandir was established on Vikram Samvat 1980 Shravan Sud Satam dated 7-8-1924.
Ellisbridge was not developed and the institute was built in a ruined house in the middle of fields. Today it has evolved into Gujarati medium up to kindergarten, primary section, secondary section and higher secondary section. Even in English medium it has developed till Kindergarten, Primary Section, Secondary Section, Higher Secondary Section. This school, which started with only a handful of students, today comprises of 1300 students. There are spacious grounds and teaching is being done in ideal paved houses. It is famous among the leading schools of Gujarat.
Educational development journey
In 1954, the students of this institution appeared in the 11th Board of Secondary Education examination in the then state of Mumbai, and till date, the educational development journey of this institution has been satisfactory with many different activities. This institution has lived up to the original spirit of its establishment by producing many exemplary and eminent doctors, lawyers, businessmen, social workers in the society. The core of this organization has been to preserve Indian traditions and we are happy to say that approach continues till date.
The story of the gradual progress of the Sharda mandir
In the preface of 1947-48 we said that ‘if we have a primary seven standard system instead of four, it would be better’, many parents had been insisting for several years and respecting their wish we started Gujarati fifth standard in 1947 as an akhtar in that year. By the force of the same auspicious resolution, 535 Gujarati children are benefiting from the institution up to seventh standard. There are 75 to 80 children in Gujarati fourth standard in two classes here. After completing the annual examination, all those children are very keen to continue their studies here; But the facility of having only one class for fifth and seventh standard is problematic, so we cannot accommodate all the children passing through the fourth standard due to lack of space. Hence the task of selecting 35 or 40 out of 80 children for fifth standard becomes very difficult. Our hearts sink when we have to let so many children go because of this lack of space. When the institution’s own building starts next year, some difficulties seem to be avoided. Until then, there is no other way but to run in this embarrassment.
Intensive learning of the children, constant supervision over them, precision in character-building, the school environment reaching their homes to improve their habits and the desire behind it – these and such educational and educational efforts have made the institution so popular that If he had enough space, within an hour 1000 children would have benefited from the institution. Over a long period of twenty-five years, many individuals have contributed according to their power for the upliftment of the institution. Who to mention and who not to mention – some with body, some with mind and some with wealth; Also, some have rendered services to the organization in three ways. Thank you all from afar.
Over a long period of twenty-five years, many individuals have contributed according to their power for the upliftment of the institution. Who to mention and who not to mention – some with body, some with mind and some with wealth; Also, some have rendered services to the organization in three ways. Thank you all from afar.
The following are the names of the Presidents of the Executive Committee of the Institute who keep the Institute well organized, well controlled and harmonious: Mr. Bhogilal Thacker
- Mrs. Vidyaben Neelkanth
- Hon’ble Mavlankardada
- Dr. Sumant Mehta
- Mr. Ratilal Nathabhai
- Mr. Navneetbhai Sothan
- Mr. Thakorlal Munsha
The Presidents of the Executive Committee as well as its members have worked shoulder to shoulder for the continuous growth of the organization.
(- Vajubhai Dave and Ministers, October 1950, from the proposal)
Members of the Managing Committee Jog Circular - 1954 - Vajubhai Dave
…Why should we lose heart? According to this sutra, ‘Himate marda toh sharte khuda’, God has come to cut our path. Let it fulfill its purpose. ‘Tare tare ke budade.’ …It is our unwavering belief that this ship, driven by the faith, cooperation and unity of all of you, will bring to the shore precious jewels and rich experiences from the sea of education…
Circular – 1954 (Abridged)
Rare moments
Gandhi ji has had a close relationship with Shardamdir since the children of freedom fighters were studying in Shardamdir. Shri Chandubhai Dave, one of the founders of Shardamandir, was also his close confidant. Gandhi entrusted him with certain responsibilities which are frequently mentioned in Gandhiji’s ‘Akshardeh’. Apart from this two daughters of Mr. Jamnalal Bajaj were also studying in Shardamandir at that time. Gandhiji recommended Sri Prabhashankar Patni to help Sharda Mandir. In Gujarat Samachar dated 30-7-1933 Gandhiji came to Sharda Mandir on the occasion of the 10th foundation day of the organization, the same report is presented here.
Report (Gujarat Samachar dated 30-7-1933)
Dt. On 29-7-1933, being the foundation day of Sharda Mandir, at 12 noon, Mahatma Gandhi came to bless the children of Sharda Mandir. First, P.Gandhiji saw with great joy the art samples of the children aged two and a half to seven years of the Sharda Mandir Kindergarten. Then after P.Gandhiji took the seat, the children of the institution prayed. After that, P.Gandhiji blessed and said as follows, “Although I can joke, but right now I don’t have time, right now my time is limited, so wasting more time is called stealing. Right now I have come to steal other people’s time. You know. Whose time have I stolen? Can anyone tell me whose time I have stolen? After making such a joke, Gandhiji said further that I bless Shardamandir and its children that you beautify the institution and you also beautify it, but do you know how it can be beautified? “By serving the country in the right way.”