Loknete Vyankatrao Hiray Arts Science & Commerce College Panchavati, Nashik, (MS)

Strength

• A well-qualified and experienced Faculty.
• Focus on Experiential and Participative learning.
• Well-equipped library with a collection of books/reference books, Journals on History, Gandhian Ideology, competitive exams etc.
• ICT -based learning with resources of e-content developed by faculty.
• Facilitating students’ participation in various extensions, co-curricular and outreach activities.
• Collaboration with various academies and Historical Museums.
•  Good passing percentage with progression to Civil Service Examination and other competitive exams

Future Plans

• To build more research collaborations for quality research publications.
• To organize National and International conferences in collaboration with national and international linkages.
•  To explore the Local History of Nashik dist.
• Collection of Traditional Knowledge (Books, Scripts, Coins, etc)
• Develop a history Museum with a separate building

1.Preservation of Ancient Indian Languages: Modi-Script

The study of history has many dimensions. Interpreting ancient historical documents is one of the dimensions. The correct interpretation of history is very significant as it is the past that leads to the present and shapes the future. The incorrect interpretation of history may misguide the future course of action. The misinterpretation of history can be fatal as it can lead to the destruction of any nation. The role of a historian is crucial in the interpretation of history. The interpretation of history sometimes becomes difficult as the historical documents are mainly in manuscript form and written in Modi script which is unfamiliar to the new generation. The correct interpretation of history leads to the correct research outputs. Proficiency in Modi can avail job- opportunities and the Modi script can be used as a research tool. Therefore, it is quite important to create an awareness of the Modi script in the new generation. Identifying this context, the Department of History facilitates a certificate course in Modi Script for the students.

The Modi script was the main script for writing in Marathi from the 17th century to the middle of the 20th century. This script was used alongside the Devanagari script when the ‘Balbodh’ style of the Devanagari script was promoted as the standard writing system for Marathi. There are a number of historical documents in Modi script and these old historical documents are very important for the study of history as well as research in history. Decoding the Modi Script can reveal the historical significance of these documents and can avail job opportunities for the students. Since the Modi Script is associated with British Rule it can unveil the colonial era and bring forth many details of the colonial period. It is also useful to decode the history of the great Maratha King Shivaji as the letters written by King Shivaji are available in Modi Script.

The Certificate Course in Modi Script run by the Department of History is of one-month duration. The syllabus of the course is designed by the faculty in the Department. It is based on the syllabus prepared by the Government of Maharashtra for the course in Modi. It also follows four-course books prescribed by the State Government. Every year this syllabus is modified and updated by the department. It is by and large a basic course in Modi Script. The focus of the course is on learning the basic alphabet of the Modi Script, the sentence construction, reading and interpretation of the Modi script. It also aims to develop Modi Script as a research tool.

The course admits UG, PG students and scholars of all faculties. Renowned historians and scholars have worked as the Resource person for the Certificate Course in Modi Script. Dr. D. N. Tamboli, the former Vice -Principal and Head of the Department of History, Dr Anjali Vekhande, Mrs. Swati Wadekar, Prof.Ramnath Rawal ( Modi Expert SPPU) have contributed to the course with their expertise in the field. The certificate course in Midi Script is a mid-term course and is conducted especially after the first semester exams. Every year about 40 students are admitted to the course. At the end of the course, a written examination is conducted and qualified students are given the certificate of qualification. The certificate course in Modi Script is one of the most useful courses as it comprises many disciplines such as language, literature, creative writing, history and research. It is an interdisciplinary course with the possibilities of job opportunities.

Every year approximately 40 students complete the Certificate Course in Training in Modi Script. The students of the Department of History seek admission for the course to develop the ability to decode Modi Script and interpret history in the correct manner. The students from the languages are interested from the linguistic and literary point of view as well as from the point of creative writing. At the end of the course, the interest of the students in Modi Script is adequately developed. They get enough proficiency in Modi Script to read and write in Modi script. The alumnus of the Department of History Mrs. Swati Wadekar works as a Resource person for Modi Script. She also works as a Research Associate and decodes Modi Script for research. As an expert in the field, she also avails study material for Modi Training. After learning Modi Script, students specifically enjoy the field visits arranged by the Department of History at the historical locations. Due to their proficiency in Modi Script, their research aptitudes are sensitized and they have research perspectives for the historical locations. The certificate that the students receive after the completion of the course adds to their qualifications.

The faculty do face certain problems while conducting a course in Modi Script. Designing the syllabus for the certificate course in Modi Script is one of the problems encountered by the faculty. Secondly in an age of science and technology, it seems to be difficult to sustain students’ interest in the Modi script, the medieval art of writing. It is because students like to learn new and advanced knowledge. They are not sure if the medieval art of writing can do anything substantial for them. It is also difficult to get Resource persons for the course as there are a few scholars and experts in Modi Script.

2.Revival of Gandhian Ideology through Gandhian Study Center

The modern age is characterized by stress and anxiety. It leads to many social evils. The use of bad words and swearing is common practice among the youth. It seems that the youngsters have very low levels of tolerance and they express their anger and unrest continuously through the use of bad words that create indirect violence. Domestic violence is still a more serious issue to be addressed. Every day we get new forms of violence like religious riots, mob lynching or honor killing. It seems that we need to work on the spiritual quotient of the modern generation. Mahatma Gandhi was an upholder of peace, truth and non-violence. By practicing non-violence Gandhiji achieved the title of Mahatma-the great soul. The Gandhian ideology is accepted all over the world. The Gandhian Study Center tries the revival of the Gandhian Ideology and to teach the values of truth and non-violence to the students.

The institute has a Gandhian Study Centre under UGC Epoch Making Scheme. The aim and objective of the Gandhian Studies Centre is to revive Gandhian thoughts in the modern age and propagate them by practicing them in day-to-day life. At present, the study center has a well-equipped library containing 400 books on the Life and Thoughts of Mahatma Gandhi. There are audio-visual CDs throwing light on the thoughts of Mahatma Gandhi. The center has a collaboration with Gandhi Tirtha Centre, Jalgaon. Through this collaboration, the center could avail a collection of articles associated with Gandhiji such as the idol of Gandhiji, Photo-frames, Posters, images and the popular Charakha of Gandhiji. There is a separate section in the Department. of History that displays these images, photographs, posters, books and the other things exclusively associated with Mahatma Gandhi.Persons for the conference. Many researchers have contributed to the conference with their research papers which were later on compiled and published in the form of e-book.

The Gandhian study center reinforces the fact that the institute is named after Mahatma Gandhi and follow Gandhi in spirit through its motto of Bahujan Hitay Bahujan Sukhay (welfare of masses). Every year about 200 students enrolled in the Gandhian study center from all three streams of the institute. They enthusiastically participate in all the activities of the center. Now they are fairly sensitized to the concept of truth and non-violence. They are inspired by the literature and films on the life of Mahatma Gandhi. The concept of civil disobedience seems to be very popular among them. Now instead of re-acting the situation they respond in Gandhian manner. They have a fascination for the way of life of Mahatma and like to practice it as far as possible in day-to-day life. It has directly affected their study and mindset. The students are sensitized to the Indian freedom struggle and they have a strong sense of patriotism and nationalism. It has been observed that the students have a special fascination for the Charkha. They eagerly wish to try and weave on charkha. The students like to interact with resource persons inspired by the Gandhian ideology. The Gandhian Study Centre has published e-book entitled Platinum Jubilee of Indian Independence: Relevance of Gandhian Ideology.

The Gandhian Study center works in association with the Department of History. The faculty of the department of History look after the functioning of the study center. They do the additional work of enrolling students, record keeping, and arranging various activities on behalf of the center. The center faces difficulty in getting resource persons as the passionate followers of Mahatma Gandhi are getting exhausted with time. With the advent of a new age and with the strong impact of technology it becomes very difficult to sustain the interest of the students in the Gandhian ideology. They are obviously occupied by new things and career opportunities. In spite of this fact, the Study Centre tries to make a revival of the Gandhian ideology.

collaboration with Gandhi Tirtha Centre, Jalgaon. Through this collaboration, the center could avail a collection of articles associated with Gandhiji such as the idol of Gandhiji, Photo-frames, Posters, images and the popular Charakha of Gandhiji. There is a separate section in the Department. of History that displays these images, photographs, posters, books and the other things exclusively associated with Mahatma Gandhi.

The center conducts various activities throughout the year to inculcate Gandhian thoughts in young minds. Essay Writing Competition is one of the activities. Many Students participate in this competition and write essays throwing light on different facets of Gandhian philosophy. Later on, these essays are published in the form of manuscripts. Every year on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi a Three-Day Guest Lecture Series is arranged on the thoughts of Mahatma Gandhi. The focus of the series is the life and thoughts of Mahatma Gandhi. Various eminent personalities, social workers and Gandhian thinkers are invited to deliver lectures on the life of Gandhi. The Exhibition and Poster Presentation Competition is arranged in which the students prepare posters on the life of Mahatma Gandhi as well as many historical events in which Mahatma Gandhi had crucial participation. The exhibition displays a gallery of articles that are typical to Gandhiji. Every year the center arranges a One Day Workshop on Gandhian Thoughts to cherish the memories of the popular historical event Dandi Yatra, the Salt March conducted in March 1930. There is also an Elocution Competition arranged on the topic The Way of Life of Mahatma Gandhi to orient students about the simple lifestyle of Gandhi. To have feedback on the impact of Gandhian thoughts on the minds of students, an examination is conducted on behalf of Gandhi Tirtha Centre Jalgaon. Several students appeared for this examination. The study Centre has been honored with a Certificate of Merit and Appreciation by Gandhi Research of Gandhian thoughts.

Recently the Gandhian Study Center in collaboration with the Department of History and Board of Studies (SPPU) organized a Three-Day International e-conference on Platinum Jubilee of Indian Independence: Relevance of Gandhian Ideology. Shri Tushar Gandhi, a social activist and the great-grandson of Mahatma Gandhi, Gandhian thinkers Dr.Beedun Abha, Mrs. Neeshi Heeroo Luximon (Mauritius) and Gandhian follower Shri Mukund Dixit worked as Resource Recently the Gandhian Study Centre in association with the Department of Film Art released a Short Film Mahatma Gandhi and Nashik on the occasion of the Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. The study Center has conducted online International Quiz Competition with 3600 participants.

Linkages & Collaborations/ MOU’s

Best Practices & Extension activities

Best Practice

Extension activities