Baya Karve Award 2024

 

The 29th Baya Karve Award for this year i.e. 2024, was presented to Smt. Indumati Katdare, the current Vice Chancellor of the Punarutthan Vidyapeeth in Ahmedabad, by Padma Shri Dr. Nivedita Bhide, National Vice-President of the Vivekananda Kendra, during a ceremony organized by the Maharshi Karve Stree Shikshan Samstha.

 

"India has remained loyal to knowledge since ancient times. However, due to cultural invasions during the medieval period, the indigenous knowledge-driven thoughts were suppressed. There is a need to re-establish these thoughts, and Punarutthan Vidyapeeth is working toward this goal," expressed Smt. Indumati Katdare, who has made significant contributions in the field of education.

 

The event, held at the Rama Purushottam Vidya Sankul of the Maharshi Karve Stree Shikshan Samstha (MKSSS), was attended by dignitaries including Smt. Smita Ghaisas (President, MKSSS), Smt. Smita Kulkarni (Vice-President), Mr. Ravindra Dev (Chairman), Smt. Vidya Kulkarni (Vice Chairperson), Dr. P. V. S. Shastri (Secretary), Smt. Saujanya Vaiguru, and Mr. Prashant Mahamuni (Members of the Baya Karve Award Selection Committee).

 

During the event, the English translation of the book “Kartya Karvitya Part 2,” based on the lives and work of previous Baya Karve Awardees, was released. The English translator of the book, Smt. Vinaya Bapat, provided information about the book.

 

Mr. Prashant Mahamuni, representing the Baya Karve Award Selection Committee, shared details about the selection process for this year’s award. After a shortfilm on Smt. Indumati Katdare's work was presented, she was formally awarded the 'Baya Karve Award 2024.'

 

Smt. Katdare, expressing heartfelt gratitude, remarked, "The joy I feel today from receiving this award in the sacred land of Maharshi Karve is the same as the happiness a child experiences when receives a gift." She spoke about her life's work, saying, "According to Indian thought, knowledge is beyond material value. The idea of 'education in exchange for money' is not Indian. Education is lifelong and universal. Our home is also a great university, and parents are, in fact, the greatest teachers. In today’s materialistic world, it has become essential to build homes and individuals in this manner. Through Punarutthan Vidyapeeth, we are making our small contribution to this cause, and this award has undoubtedly strengthened our efforts."

 

As the chief guest, Dr. Nivedita Bhide expressed her admiration for Smt. Indumati Katdare, referring to her as “Dnyan Murti (Idol of knowledge)." She said, "According to a British educational survey in 1822, there was not a single village in India without a school. These schools were entirely based on the Indian educational system. The British maliciously destroyed this system. Punarutthan Vidyapeeth is working to restore this system. We must carry forward this knowledge tradition, and individuals like Indumati Tai are an inspiration. However, to do such work, effort is more important than mere inspiration. Indumati Tai has written over 1,000 books on various subjects while contributing to the work of Punarutthan. Such work is only possible through hard work. We must understand this and commit ourselves to contribute more to the restoration of the Indian educational system."

 

In her presidential address, Smt. Smita Ghaisas expressed optimism about how MKSSS can advance the work of Punarutthan Vidyapeeth. She assured that MKSSS would take action in this regard and urged everyone to try to bring such a dedicated spirit into their lives.

 

The program was inaugurated by Mr. Ravindra Dev, and the event was jointly conducted by Smt. Mallika Samant, a faculty member at the School of Fashion Technology, and Ms. Sachi Shah, a student from Cummins College. At the conclusion of the event, Smt. Kanchan Satpute, a Life Member of MKSSS, formally thanked everyone. The program ended with a collective rendition of "Vande Mataram."

 

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