Gujarat Vidyapith was estalished by Gandhiji himself on October 18, 1920. Gandhi wanted his Vidyapith to prepare the youths for the task of national reconstruction and usher in 'Hind Swaraj', the India of his dream.
The Vidyapith stopped functioning temporarily during the civil disobedience movements of 1930 to 1935, both the students and faculty members participated actively in the freedom struggle, many of them courting arrest. Again, during 1942 to 1945, during “Quit India” movement the functioning of Vidyapith came to a standstill. After the year 1945, the Vidyapith started its activities once again.
In June 1947, Mahadev Desai Samaj Sewa Mahavidyalay (M.D.S.S.M.V.) was established. Initially only degree level courses were conducted in this college (M.D.S.S.M.V.). Considering the national and international level significance in value based education of Vidyapith.
The Government of India, in July 1963, under the University Grants Commission (UGC) Act, 1956, under its section 3 recognised Gujarat Vidyapith as “deemed to be University” and started providing grants in aid to Gujarat Vidyapith. After joining the Universe of Universities, the level of educational courses in Gujarat Vidyapith were upgraded upto M.A., M.Phil; and Ph.D. level. Besides, the Rashtrabhasha Hindi Prachar Samiti; Adult Education, Tribal Research and Training Institute and Krushi Vignan Kendras were established in Gujarat Vidyapith.
Since 2007, it has become tradition for Gujarat Vidyapith to organize a “Gramjivan Padyatra” on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti. During this yatra, all the students and teachers of Gujarat vidyapith visit 4 different villages for 4 days and experience the village life.
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