While stepping into 160th year – a remarkable milestone, Maharashtra Education Society (MES) commemorates a glorious past; experiences a vibrant present; and hopes for a very bright future. MES, as a premiere private education institution, is presently offering quality education to the urban andrural students from various areas of Maharashtra state. MES is determined to mark its existence at national level, and aims to carve its own niche as a powerful international brand at global level.
In 1860, three veteran visionary educationists such as great freedom fighter Shree Vasudev Balavant Phadke, Shree Waman Prabhakar Bhave and Shree Laxman Narahar Indapurkar came together to plant aseedof establishing an educational institute. In 1874, The Poona Native Institution was formed, as a result of their joint efforts, to impart conventional contemporary education that would nurture nationalism and strong moral values among the Indian youngsters. Taking its conviction forward in 1922, the institute reconstructed its vision by becoming Maharashtra Education Society.
The Vision Statement of MES clearly expresses that MES is committed to provide through all its diverse educational and allied constituent units, a high standard learning environment and educational experience to students. Today the motto of MES – ‘Facta Non Verba’ which means ‘words are futile without work’, is reflected in the tremendous growth achieved by the institution providing education from KG to PG, and also in the area of doctoral research. In the 75 educational institutes, through 2,000 plus staff, MES is offering knowledge , wisdom and excellence to more than 40,000 students, from various areas of Maharashtra, such as Pune, Baramati, Saswad, Panvel, Belapur, Navi Mumbai, Kalamboli, Shirwal, KasarAmboli, Ahmed Nagar, and Chiplun. Certainly, a small seed planted has been blossomed into a very big tree – the ‘Dnyan Vruksha’.
Since its inception, MES has always aimed at satisfying the diverse needs of society and has expressed its urge to contribute in the field of education; women empowerment; entrepreneurship; health science; and overall development of its staff and students. Through schools, colleges, and institutes providing management as well as vocational training courses, MES is offering conventional and modern education to satisfy the needs of nation. With the facility of e-learning, use of novel information technology, project-based education, continuous training of soft skills, state-of-the-art laboratories and libraries in schools and colleges, students are acquiring not only excellent knowledge, but a lifelong memorable experience in these institutes. Abasaheb Garware College is the first in the country to offer post-graduate course in Bio-diversity.Garware College of Commerce has formed the registered campus company of students, and started business incubation programme.
MES has always believed in and has taken efforts for women empowerment. In 1935, Renuka Swaroop Memorial Girls High School was established in Pune to offer quality education to young girls in society. Renuka Swaroop Institute of Career Courses was started in 1989 to provide part-time & full-time vocational training, especially to orphan and widow women. Rani Laxmibai Mulinchi Sainiki Shala, started at Kasar Amboli in 1997, offers training to girls to enter defence sector of our country. In 2007, MES offered a safe and well equipped housing option to young students in Pune by starting women’s hostel- Sarswati Bhavan, at Paud Road, Pune. Under women empowerment scheme, MES Nursing College established at Chiplun has 100% admissions, results and placements. Parshuram Hospital & Research Centre at Lote Parshuram, Ratnagiri, has a reach upto 40 villages to provide primary health facilities.
MES has always believed and encouraged in developing the band of ‘job creators’, and not the ‘job seekers’. Since 2004, Entrepreneurship Development Cell of Garware College of Commerce (GCC) is busy in creating robust entrepreneurial ecosystem.Institute of Management & Career Courses offers a large variety of management courses to ambitious students. Deen Dayal Kaushal Upadhyay Kendra situated on the Abasaheb Garware College campus, imparts skill based education in Mass Communication, Media Convergence, and Beauty & Wellness.
MES has always taken initiative for overall development of its students and staff. Kreedawardhini and Kalawardhini have been established to enhance the skills of students in sports and performing art respectively. Personality Development Centre tries to impart study skills, and offers career guidance. Shikshak Prabodhini, since 2000, is busy in organising training programmes for teaching staff regarding creating awareness of novel teaching methods.
No wonder, teachers and students of MES have several laurels and achievements. Several teachers have secured awards for excellent teaching from different government and non-government organisations, including ‘Best Commerce Teachers Award’ from Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU). Garware College of Commerce has received the Best College Award from SPPU. Numerous students like Miss Surekha Dravid, Miss Manisha Kondhalkar etc. have received Arjun Award, Shiva Chhatrpati Award, and Ekalaya Award etc.
In the recent past, MES has tried to establish its own brand at national and international level. MoUs and associations have been developed with national institutes such as IIM-A, IIM-Indore, IIT-Mumbai etc., and at international level with James Cook University, Singapore; Douglas College, Canada, and with various other institutes from UAE, Australia etc. A good number of international students from 13 countries are taking education on GCC campus.
MES is proud to place it on record that a large number of its past students are not only shaping the nation, but are establishing their mark also on global level. Hon. Union Minister for Environment Shree Prakash Jawadekar, Hon. Air Marshal (Retired) Shree Bhushan Gokhale, Hon. Shree Sharad Pawar, Hon. Dr Sreeram Lagoo, Hon. Shree Arun Firodiya , Pandit Sanjeev Abhyankar – are the just few names of MES alumni, whothrough their performance in different fields, are taking the MES at new heights day by day.
At present,Air Marshal Hon.BhushanGokhale(Retired) is the President, Hon. Dr. Y. R.Waghmare and Hon. Shree PradipNaikarethe Vice-presidents of MES. Hon. Shree Rajeev Sahasrabudhe is the Chairman of Governing Body, and Hon. Dr. B. S. Vhankate is the Secretary of MES.
Under the dynamic management and visionary leadership,MES has certainly a very bright future in the years to come.
(Author is alumni and retired professor of MES Garware College of Commerce, Pune)