President Mr. Anil Harish

Hyderabad (Sind) National Collegiate Board

(Regd. Address - K.C. College, D.W.Road, Churchgate, Mumbai — 400 020)

A short history of the Hyderabad (Sind) National Collegiate Board - The last five decades.

 

The history of institutions in the first few years of their inception are the most fascinating narratives, for they speak volumes for the times, the dynamics, the leadership and the people for whom they were built.  One such history, unique and inspiring, is the trajectory of growth of the Hyderabad (Sind) National Collegiate Board and its institutions.

A dream, a strategy, a hope and a changed political situation seem to have been the basic ingredients of what is today a reputed chain of well managed colleges.  The Hyderabad (Sind) National Collegiate Board (HSNCB) was first founded   in Hyderabad (Sind) in 1921.  It took over the management of Rishi Dayanand Gidumal College in Sind in the year of its inception.  In the next two decades, the H.(S).N.C. Board had expanded and built an additional wing to house a Commerce College. Then in 1947, partitioning of the subcontinent into India and Pakistan struck a cruel blow to any further consolidation in the field of higher education. 

K.M. Kundnani, then the newly appointed Principal of the college and a man of infinite vision, had begun to dream about the future of the colleges.  To him, 'Hyderabad was the heart of Sind and his colleges the heart of Hyderabad.'  In the changing political scenario, laced with feelings of hatred, such sentiments did not hold good.  Mass exodus towards India had upset the routine of everyday life and safety.  It is troubled times that test the endurance as well as the limits of human ingenuity.  The entire subcontinent was in a state of flux and the atmosphere in the colleges was one of gloom and uncertainty.  Principal K.M. Kundnani consoled his staff with the assurance that he was going to start a college in Bombay.  Inspired by a new mission, guided by his pragmatic no-nonsense approach and sense of thrift, he shipped equipment, books and a prized chair with the insignia of the college to Bombay.  These three qualities that he was endowed with in good measure, were to play a seminal role in the setting up of the Board’s colleges in the future.

The journey into another moment in history had already begun.  Principal Kundnani's arrival in Bombay marked the turning point of the next chapter in the history of the HSNC Board.  After extensive search, a plot was located in the suburban outskirts of Bandra and was procured on a lease for 99 years.  In August 1948 the construction started at an incessant pace and within six months the structure was ready to allow the college to function from June 1949.  Thus Rishi Dayanand National College made its debut in Bandra.

Barrister H G Advani played a pivotal role in tapping sponsors, getting donations and providing leadership. Principal K. M. Kundnani and Barrister H. G. Advani were the founding fathers and pillars of the 23 institutions of higher learning in and around Bombay. Both these great men provided the institutions with a sense of direction and leadership throughout their lives:  Barrister Advani as President and Principal Kundnani   as Secretary for several decades.  Mr. Kishinchand Chellaram, Mr. Wassiamull Assomull and Mr. J. Watumull provided financial assistance and infrastructure. 

The second institution set up was K.C. College at Churchgate.  It stands today on a plot which was leased from Mrs. Ratanben Fauzdar.  The then minister for education, Shri Dinkarrao Desai laid the foundation stone of the building.  However, with limited funds, Principal Kundnani took over both the nitty gritty as well as the mighty tasks of constructing yet another college within the record time of six months in June 1954.

A task well begun is a job half done.  The Board had expanded its network of colleges in quick succession, encompassing wide-ranging disciplines of Arts, Science, Education, Pharmacy, Engineering and Law besides a number of Primary and Secondary schools. The colleges thus established are:

 

Colleges

R. D. National College, Bandra

Kishinchand Chellaram College, Churchgate

Kishinchand Chellaram Law College, Churchgate

H.R. College of Commerce and Economics, Churchgate

Smt. M.M.K. College of Commerce and Economics, Bandra

K.C. College of Management Studies, Churchgate at K.C. College Premises

Smt. C.H.M. College, Ulhasnagar

Bombay Teachers Training College, Colaba

Prin. K.M. Kundnani College of Pharmacy, Cuffe Parade

Prin. K.M. Kundnani Pharmacy Polytechnic, Ulhasnagar

G.J. Advani Law College, Bandra

Watumull Institute of Electronics Engineering, Computer Technology and Electronic Instrumentation, Bandra

Thadomal Shahani Engineering College, Bandra

Dr. L.H. Hiranandani College of Pharmacy, Ulhasnagar

Nari Gursahani Law College, Ulhasnagar

Shri Hashmatrai & Gangaram Himathmal Mansukhani College of Management, Ulhasnagar

Bombay Institute of Technology (PG), Churchgate at K.C. College Premises

Institute of Technology, Ulhasnagar

Smt. C.H.M. College of Post Graduate Studies, Ulhasnagar

Number of Primary and Secondary Schools

 

In 1980 the H.(S).N.C. Board sought Linguistic Minority status under Article 30{1} of the Constitution of India. The first three decades after its relocation in India were utilized in institution building and consolidation.  But   this time, a significant number of changes in the economy were bound to have their repercussions on education.  Globalisation and liberalization had by the early nineties altered the outlook. By this time also, there were a number of significant changes in the internal as well as the overall leadership of the institutions of the Board.  It was time to bid farewell to the founding members. Barrister Hotchand Advani died in 1990 followed by Principal Kundnani in 1992.

The sense of loss was indeed great but sound planning had provided for an easy transition.  Oxford educated Barrister Ashok H. Advani took over the reigns as succeeding President of the Board while Prof J.K. Bhambhani became its Rector and Secretary.   After this transition in the nineties several changes came to the fore.  With his dynamic leadership Barrister Advani Jr. sensing the global mood, found it necessary to open the doors of the institutions to the winds of change.  

By this time the institutions had 732 faculty members and over 7000 students.  He often quoted M.K. Gandhi's words in his addresses to the staff spread across several colleges to drive home the message that an international exposure for his staff and students was really the need of the hour: "Be the change that you want to see in the world" he said.  "Open up your doors and windows, let the winds blow through, but don't let it sweep you off your feet."  Several international exchanges, visits, tie-ups and programmes were initiated during 1995 to 2003 with as many as 50 faculty members travelling abroad through sponsorship of the H.(S).N.C. Board.

Guided by this philosophy, the Board has established international linkages with a number of foreign Universities as listed below:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A new era commenced with Mr. Niranjan Hiranandani becoming the President of the H.(S).N.C. Board in the year 2003.  An illustrious son of an illustrious father, Mr. Hiranandani proved that he was a builder par excellence as he left no stone unturned to see that the H.(S).N.C. Board marched ahead on its journey of education under his able guidance and encouragement, each of the premier institutions of the board has grown, developed and become a prestigious name to be reckoned with.

The approach that the Management adopts towards the staff is one of caring support.  A holiday home is maintained in Lonavala for the recreational use of the faculty members, students and their families.  New infrastructure has been created to house international visitors and other guests. Three guest-houses are being maintained in the city for the use of visiting students and faculty from international colleges who reside for a week or two taking guest lectures or students who spend a semester in Mumbai attending lectures or pursuing research. All these activities are monitored by an International Committee   which is spearheaded by an advisory team to moot programmes, test feasibility as well as work out strategies for international co-operation in education. 

Presently the Board is looking seriously into the modernisation, consolidation and expansion of its programmes. Educationists, education administrators and management experts form an advisory team who advise the Board and have drawn up vision 2020.