INFORMATION 48 48
Shri Mahavira Jaina Vidyalaya
Authors: Mukesh Mehta, Secretary, SMJV Mumbai, Hitesh Doshi, Secretary, SMJV Mumbai, Bipin Shah, Comm. Member, SMJV, Vadodara, Divyang Shah, Comm. Member, SMJV, Vadodara Shree Mahavira Jaina Vidyalaya, an unparallel legacy of nurturing values, established 106 years ago with the blessings and inspiration of P. P. Aacharya Vijay Vallabhsurishwarji M.S., has over 200,000 alumni spread across the globe and is making the alma mater proud. This article provides information about its journey and its fast expansion spree.
About SMJV
Vision of SMJV •
• • Way back in 1915 when there were quite conservative thoughts prevailing in the society, a revolutionary far sighted Jain saint, named Punjab Kesari P. P. Aacharya Vijay Vallabhsurishwarji M.S, realized the need to have a supporting system for students willing to pursue higher studies but were unable to do so either due to financial constraints or due to unavailability of cultured accommodation to stay while studying. Despite protests from the many corners of the society, he firmly went ahead and inspired the foundation of a legacy called Shree Mahavira Jaina Vidyalaya for this noble cause. The Trust started with its first facility at Gowalia Tank in Mumbai housing merely 50 students. The focus was to support these students in pursuing their professional studies comfortably and at the same time nurturing religious and cultural values in their lives to create stalwarts of the future Jain Shashan. With blessing of Dev, Guru and Dharma and very thoughtful administration by the hardworking founders of the Trust, the organization has grown multifold today and has gifted gems to the society not just in form of established, successful, and leading Jain Shravaks; but also 4 Aacharya Maharaj and 30 Sadhu/Sadhvi Maharaj, who are all very grateful to their mother institute and willing to offer their best for the progress and prosperity of their beloved alma mater.
To realize Gurudev’s vision of providing Education to all needy Shwetamber Murtipujak Jain Boys and Girls free of cost or at minimum fees. To prescribe/revise courses for Religious Education to students and provide facilities for the same within hostels. To provide Loans/Scholarships to needy students pursuing College and Higher Education
Mission of SMJV • • • • • •
To provide Lodging and Boarding facilities of Best Standards to the Shwetamber Murti Poojak Jain Students. Focus on Welfare and Progress of students. Keeping in view demand for accommodation at important Education Centres, open more Branches of Vidyalya for Boys and Girls. Thrust on imparting Religious Education to and performance of Jin-Puja by all students. To compile, publish and spread Jain Literature. To maintain and run Jinalayas at all Branches.
Professional Management
The SMJV Trust has been very successfully led by prominent Jains from time to time. In this legacy, presently Shri Sudhirbhai U. Mehta, son of the philanthropic Shri U. N. Mehta family and presently the Chairman and M.D. of Torrent Group of Companies, is the Chairman of SMJV Trust. Under his able leadership and keeping in view the need and expectation of the students in today’s time, the total transformation of all the existing facilities into ultra-modern comfortable residential housing is under way. Simultaneously, with support of the professional alumni in the hierarchy, implementation of very professional work culture
