04-12-2023

Today’s Chief Guest, Padma Vibhushan Prof. M.M. Sharma, Chairman Mr Samir Somaiya, Dignitaries on the dais, Dignitaries of the dais, Distinguished Guests,  Heads of the Institutions, Faculty, Staff and Students,
Good Morning! 
It is indeed a great pleasure and honour for me to welcome you all for  the 82nd Foundation Day Celebration of Somaiya Vidyavihar. 
Starting with the first rural school in 1942, Somaiya Vidyavihar Trust was founded in 1959 to provide quality holistic education by Padma Bhushan Shri Karamshibhai Jethabhai Somaiya, a Gandhian to the core, a philanthropist and an entrepreneur. He believed that ‘An all-round education must integrate Indian culture, values & morality into the curriculum’. He lived by the principle that “We must give back to the society multifold”. Believing that, philanthropy has to be beyond giving out funds, he founded and promoted a number of public institutions of national interest, including hospitals, education and cultural institutions in rural and urban India.
At the launch of Somaiya Vidyavihar, Hon. Justice Bhagwati said,
‘The Vidyavihar must strive for education that will not merely lead to the intellectual development of the individual but will also make his life and personality fuller and richer. It should aim not merely to develop his faculties  and talents but also to satisfy and fulfil his more important urges, ethical, aesthetic and spiritual. It must, in short, strive for education that will develop an integrated personality’. 
He further stressed on the three pillars that the institutions of SVV must never fail to emphasize, that is, Fundamental  values of life, Thrust on National language, Hindi, and Sound physique of its students. 
One should feel proud that in last 82 years, SVV has never lost sight of these essentials.  
The Somaiya group has been actively and responsibly engaged in education, healthcare, social welfare and promotion of culture for three generations. It was founded on the belief that, education is an important pillar of nation building. A quality education and value system  is the only way to transform the society. It is a duty of the privileged to provide education to the needy. 
Shri. K. J. Somaiya guided Somaiya Vidyavihar until 1999; his son Dr. S. K. Somaiya was at the helm of affairs till 2010. Presently, Shri. Samir Somaiya, a Cornell University and Harvard Business School alumnus is the President. 
ज्ञानदेव तु कैवल्यम | ‘Knowledge Alone Liberates’ remains our motto as we strive to excel in our educational endeavours. 
Somaiya Vidyavihar encompasses 34 institutions, with more than 40,000 students and 3000 faculty and staff. Its educational institutes are spread across two main campuses at Mumbai, a 50 acre complex at Vidyavihar, and a 28 acre complex at Sion. A number of smaller campuses across rural Maharashtra, Karnataka and Gujarat are also there under the Somaiya Trust. The Somaiya educational institutions offer a wide range of programs at the Under-Graduate, Postgraduate and Doctoral levels. The Somaiya Vidyavihar campus also offers Vocational programs, in addition to junior colleges and schools in English, Gujarati and Marathi medium from pre-primary Level. 
Somaiya Vidyavihar  is a place where knowledge is created, preserved, and disseminated. It is well-known for its wide range of disciplines; Science, Technology, Medicine, Engineering, Management, Sports, Humanities and Social sciences, Commerce, Performing Art, Mass Communication, Music, Yoga,  and Faiths and Cultures of India.
Somaiya Vidyavihar University, a private state university has been established under the trust in 2019. The university is marching ahead to become a world class research university under the able guidance of  Mr. Samir Somaiya, the Chancellor and President of Somaiya Vidyavihar University & the Chairman of Somaiya Trust. 
Somaiya Vidyavihar gratefully acknowledges the contributions made by various stake holders, the Trustees, Advisors, Management Team, faculty, students and staff in making Somaiya Vidyavihar what it is today. 
On this Foundation Day, I extend my greetings and best wishes to all the members of the extended Somaiya Vidyavihar family.  
Let me close with the Golden Message that the Founder gave to the students of SVV, and the massage is equally valuable to ALL,
    Nothing was ever achieved without hard work.
    Be bold but be not bowled over.
    Let ‘Truth’ and ‘Duty’ be your watchdogs.
    Never despair in the face of setbacks.
    Keep courage and continue to work with Fortitude.
    Have faith in yourselves and in the Almighty.
    Strive for your ‘Goals’ and the ‘Future’ is yours. 

Thank you. 
Jai Hind. Jai Maharashtra.