In the early 1950s just after our country got freedom from the Britishers, and people were breathing the fresh air of free India, one Jain social worker named Shri Sheesmalji Pandey (Sadri), came up with the idea of starting an all-girls Institute for the upliftment of the society. At that time, the thought did not bear fruit.
After a few years it was Shri Keshrimalji sb Mehta (Khimel) who decided to seed the barren land of Western Rajasthan in 1956, with a dazzling Institution, whose bursting shine could be seen all over the area.
With the thought of empowering the girl child through education, equipping her to be a parallel support in the family and thus educate the entire family…society…Nation!
Thus ‘Vidyawadi’ was conceptualized involving Shri Fulchandji sb Bafna and Shri Tejrajji Ranawat (Khudala). This lead to many correspondences between Shri Siddrajji sb Dhadda, Shri Vastimalji sb Mehta and Shri Keshrimalji sb Mehta and they finally decided to have a meeting with members of the then Yuvak Sangh.
On 4th June 1955 at Falna, at Rathore hall, these social workers met, they were Shri Devichand Shah (President) (Pali), Shri Keshrimalji Mehta (Khimel), Shri Mohanrajji Jain (Bali), Shri Fulchandji Bafna (Sadri), Shri Tejrajji Ranawat (Khudala), Shri Shohanrajji Khajanchi (Khimel), Shri Dhapatraji Mehta (Khimel). “Vidyawadi” was conceived in this meeting, they expressed that we can get subsidized plot near Khimel, around 45 bhiga having 2 wells and they decided to purchase it. So, funds were raised by contribution from these members and other jain community people of this belt. The name of school was decided as Marudhar Balika Vidyapeeth and place name was Vidyawadi.
At that time girls were deprived of education, and ‘Parda System’ was followed and hardly girls were allowed to move out of the house. In such environment it was a tough time convincing people to move there girls out of the parda system and let them gain education. But these gems of the Godwad belt were dedicated to inspire, motivate, people for girl education.
On 14th October 1956 Shri Siddhraji Dhdda laid the foundation for Vidyawadi and on 15 August 1957 and Vidyawadi started with 3 girls.
The founder members of VIdyawadi were –
- Shri Keshrimalji Mehta (Khimel),
- Shri Mohanrajji Jain (Bali),
- Shri Fulchandji Bafna (Sadri),
- Shri Tejrajji Ranawat (Khudala),
- Shri Hiralalji Jain (Bijowa)
- Shri Vastimalji Mehta (Khimel)
- Shri Shohanrajji Khajanchi (Khimel),
- Shri fulchandji K Songhvi( Takhtgarh)
- Jeevanrajji Mehta (Bali)
- Shri Somchandji Jivani (Puran)
- Shri Chaganrajji Kering (Sanderao)
- Shri Sheesmalji Pandey (Sadri)
- Shri Shesmaniji Bhandari (Sadri)
- Shri Phukrajji Chouhan (BIjowa)
Smt. Subhadra ji Jain was one amongst the founders of Vidyawadi. Recipient of multiple awards at district, state and national level, she worked as a teacher, a Principal and an administrator with a sole objective to instill confidence in female students to live a life of dignity and purpose.
The strength of Vidyawadi has grown from 3 girls n 1956 to 2500 in 2022 –
Year | Strength |
1958 | 3 to 23 |
1960 | 99 |
1970 | 152 |
1980 | 380 |
1985 | 561 |
1990 | 700 |
2000 | 1000 |
2010 | 1800 |
2022 | 2500 |
In the span of 65 years Vidyawadi has today grown to be a reputed educational Institute, housing 5 units namely-
- Marudhar Mahila Shikshan Sangh, VidyawadiLeela Devi Parasmal Sancheti Kanya Mahavidyalaya (started 1995)
- B.Com and BA started in year 1995BSc. Started in 2017
B.A., B.Ed./B.Sc. B.Ed. started in 2018
Post graduation in 2021
- Leeladevi Parasmal Sr. Sec. Eng. Med. School (Started in 2004)
- Sushiladevi Prakashraj Modi Primary School
- Vidyawadi Girls Hostel
The institute since then with the help of supportive management, is unfolding its wings stage by stage to fly high. The sprawling campus of 65 acres, houses 3 educational units, 8 hostels to house 700 students, RO plant, 24X7 CCTV, Sports ground, Kids activity park, Transportation, Library, science and computer labs, Hygienic mess and a skill development center to ensure holistic development of students admitted here.
Horse riding, karate, cycling, driving, shuffle and kathak dance besides other skills like baking, embroidery, stitching, learning the art of personal grooming are offered for all round development of students.
In addition to the opportunities provided to students to grow physically able, socially appropriate, emotionally strong, intellectually sharp with application oriented knowledge and understanding, they also grow up valuing native art and culture along with time tested spirituality and family norms for healthy and meaningful living.
Through the above mentioned activities we are channelizing the strength of our students and helping them to become a better ‘WE’ for the society. They learn to be creative, team players and peer engrossing individuals, respecting each other’s ideologies. Moreover they learn to accept losing and even winning with correct modes. For Society we are preparing World Ready Individuals.
The ambience of Vidyawadi plays a role of a catalyst to help to achieve its mission.
Spreading its educational bait all over India, we have students from, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, UP, Bihar, Chennail, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Vishakhapatnam, etc. Today we have 7 hostels to accommodate 700 students and the eighth under construction.
In 1985 we had 2 hostels and 2 were under construction, in 2003 we came up with one more, and in 2007 two more hostels were constructed.
Talking about our transportation we have a fleet of 23 buses today to cater to our transportation needs serving to around more than 83 villages. Initially we had only 2 buses.