“Women’s education and national development are closely related”… – Maharshi Karve.
Maharshi Karve Stree Shikshan Samstha, (MKSSS), Pune
The 120-year-old parent body has been committed to “Empowerment of women through education”. The Institution has a century long history of dedicated work towards making women educated and self-reliant. MKSSS, Pune was established in 1896 by the great visionary and social worker Bharat Ratna Maharshi Dhondo Keshav Karve to provide shelter to destitute women.
The Founder of The Samstha
Prof. D. K. Karve founded an Institution in a village called “Hingne” near Pune City. The Institution was named as “Hingne Stree Shikshan Samstha”. Later, the Institution was renamed as “Maharshi Karve Stree Shikshan Samstha”.
Prof. Karve founded this Institution with the objectives of uplift, emancipation and education of women who formed a major section of the socially downtrodden. Prof. Karve dedicated his whole life for this humanitarian cause with great determination and courage. For his sacrifice and dedicated social work and his contribution to the noble cause he was awarded “Bharat Ratna” the highest national award.
The Date of Establishment of The Samstha
On 14th June in the year 1896, in the village ‘Hingne’ near Pune city, Maharshi Karve started a “Home for Widows”, along with a school for Widows, so that they become educated and self-reliant. He fought throughout his life to make this happen. The “Home for Widows” was then named as ‘Hingne Stree Shikshan Samstha’ and the school was named as ‘Mahilashram High School’.
Development of The Samstha
Maharshi Karve Stree Shikshan Samstha, (MKSSS), Pune has diversified branches all over Maharashtra in India and about 25,000 girl students are learning in these institutions. Over the period of last 120 years, the Institution has grown like a banyan tree and at present, it is running 62 numbers of educational and other units. These units are located at Pune, Satara, Wai, Ratnagiri, Nagpur, Kamshet and Vasai. All these units are meant only for girls or women.
Around 25,000 girl students are learning in Kindergarten, Pre-Primary, Primary, Secondary, Higher Secondary schools and Colleges. We have established Engineering, Architecture, Management, Nursing, Fashion Technology, Vocational Training Institute, Health Center etc. These branches strive to develop women into truly performing citizens in today’s globalization era. We also have hostel facilities for students and working women and old age home for senior citizens.