Smt. Sadguna C. U. Arts College for Girls & B. D College, two esteemed girls’ colleges of GLS [5 decades old] since its inception as “women only” institutes created possibilities and opportunities of getting girls educated and empowered belonging to the humble strata of the society.
Recently, on 13-10-2018 in the presence of the officials of Gujarat Law Society and its stakeholders, Executive Vice President of GLS, Shri Sudhir Nanavati unveiled the name of the two merged Grant-in-Aid Girls colleges of the trust in a simple but evocative ceremony. This merger of the two colleges is the first in the history of Gujarat Government and as said by Shri Sudhir Nanavati is beneficial for all stakeholders the Government, the trust and the college. This feat was achieved due to the relentless efforts of GLS since last two years and the most noteworthy part is that all the staff members of both the colleges were absorbed in the new college.
The new merged entity is named ‘GLS (SADGUNA & B. D.) COLLEGE FOR GIRLS’
Both the girls’ colleges have their own olden times, a history of more than 5 decades on record. A visionary Textile magnate of Ahmedabad the Manchester of India the Shodhan family was weeded to the social and philanthropic cause of women empowerment by providing education to the absolutely marginalized girl-child. This dream laid the foundation for the establishment of B. D. College for girls in 1956. On 15.6.1956 by the donation of Sakarlal Damodardas Charitable Trust this college was established. It was then located in the heart of the walled city. B. D. College was inaugurated by late Shri. Morarji Desai, Ex. Prime Minister of India. The college has the proud privilege of being the first college in Gujarat University to have offered Home science as the entire subject in the Three year Degree Course. It also offered Under Graduate course in Arts and Science in 1956. It also has the honor of starting post Graduate center in Home Science in 1961, for the first time in Gujarat and since then it has remained the only P.G. center in Gujarat University. In 1984, the college came under the protective, wings of Gujarat Law Society, one of the largest education trusts of Gujarat. Under the able leadership, mentoring and tutelage of eminent lawyer Shri. Sudhirbhai Nanavati (Executive Vice-President, GLS & President GLS University) the college flourished and developed in a number of academic extra-curricular areas including a center of Babasaheb Ambedkar Open University. The students have made their mark in various subjects like Home-science, Sociology, Economics, Psychology, Philosophy and Sanskrit winning more than 165 gold medals and prizes in University Exams till date.
Smt. Sadguna C. U. Arts College for Girls which was known earlier as GLS Girls College came in to existence at the time when establishing a girl’s college was considered a path breaking venture in the year 1966. The institute had the privilege of deriving inspiration from and being founded by such great visionaries as Shri Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Sheth Shri Kasturbhai Lalbhai and Shri Ganesh Mavlankar. It has carefully chosen to be primarily an arts and social science college. The objective of the college even today is to create an atmosphere for facilitating education to the girls of economically weaker and backward sections of society. The college has the proud privilege to receive the Best National NSS Unit Award, Best Programme Officer Award, Best Indira Gandhi Student Volunteer Award for its remarkable extension activities. The strength of the college is the testimony of University Toppers in the subject of English, Sanskrit, Economics, Psychology and Sociology. Sports and games are an integral part of the college and have upholded a high standard in Kho-kho, Kabbadi, and Cross Country and are champion teams at State Level too. Equally important is the contribution of the N.C.C students of the institute. Girls’ cadets participated in different camps like NIC, CATC, and camps round the year. Arrangements for attaining vital computer skills are made available through SDELL (Sadguna Digital English Language Lab). SDELL is listed amongst the 5 best labs in Gujarat. Computer literacy programmes at SCLL (Sadguna Computers Learning Lab) are greatly in demand. Academic profile of the teaching faculty is elevating. Currently, 90% of the teaching faculties hold Ph. D degree and 07 faculty members are Ph. D Guides. Since its acquisition of NAAC Re-Accreditation (2.76 CGPA) in 2015, Sadguna made all possible efforts to enhance the quality and scope of its educational initiatives and to improve its teaching-learning resources.
In a nutshell, till date students of both the colleges, Smt. Sadguna C. U. Arts College for Girls & B. D. College have shown excellent performance in academics, cultural and sports activities and pocketed many certificates and prizes. Now, both these esteemed girls colleges are merged into a new entity for better functioning. Hope this ground-breaking move towards betterment brings forth good results.
