| About the Society For centuries, the Marathwada region suffered injustice and neglect under the rule of the Nizam of Hyderabad. During this period, educational facilities were extremely limited. Students had to travel to district centers for matriculation and to far-off places like Aurangabad, Hyderabad, Pune, and Amravati for higher education. At the Tahsil level of Kandhar, only primary education was available, and that too in the Urdu medium, which further deepened cultural dependency. In such a critical situation, Hon’ble Dr. Bhai Keshavrao Dhondge (Ex-MP, MLA, Freedom Fighter, “Vikas Ratna”) emerged as a torchbearer of change. Despite innumerable difficulties in his own educational journey, he rose to become a social worker, writer, thinker, politician, and Chief Editor of Jaykranti. His vision was nurtured by the encouragement of his mother, Matoshri Muktai Dhondge, who ensured he pursued higher studies at Nanded, Ambajogai, Amravati, Aurangabad, and Pune. Having endured bitter experiences, Dr. Bhai Keshavrao resolved to dedicate his life to the social and educational upliftment of Marathwada. Guided by the principle “Vidhya Hech Jivan, Avidhya Hech Maran” (Education is life, ignorance is death), he laid the foundation of the Shri Shivaji Mofat Education Society at Kandhar on the auspicious occasion of Shiv Jayanti (Birth Anniversary of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj) in 1948. The Society, established at Gaul (a small village in Kandhar Tahsil), was named after the great Maratha ruler Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Since then, it has been instrumental in providing quality education across Marathwada. Today, the Society manages a wide network of schools and colleges, including Shri Sant Gadge Maharaj Mahavidyalaya, Loha (established in 1989), which stands as one of its senior institutions. Institutions Run by Shri Shivaji Mofat Education Society 1. Shri Shivaji College of Arts, Commerce and Science, Kandhar, Dist. Nanded 2. Shri Shivaji Law College, Panchalpur Nagar, Veer Nagoji Naik Chowk, Kandhar, Dist. Nanded 3. Shri Shivaji Secondary and Higher Secondary School (Marathi/Urdu), Kandhar, Dist. Nanded 4. Shri Shivaji Vidya Mandir, Hatiapura, Kandhar, Dist. Nanded 5. Shri Shivaji Secondary and Higher Secondary School, Kurala, Tq. Kandhar, Dist. Nanded 6. Shri Shivaji High School, Digras, Tq. Kandhar, Dist. Nanded 7. Shri Shivaji Secondary and Higher Secondary School, Barul, Tq. Kandhar, Dist. Nanded 8. Shri Shivaji Primary School, Halda, Tq. Kandhar, Dist. Nanded 9. Shri Shivaji Secondary and Higher Secondary School, Halda, Tq. Kandhar, Dist. Nanded 10. Shri Shivaji Secondary and Higher Secondary School, Sonkhed, Tq. Loha, Dist. Nanded 11. Shri Shivaji Secondary and Higher Secondary School, Maniknagar, Dist. Nanded 12. Shri Shivaji Secondary and Higher Secondary School, Aurangabad, Dist. Aurangabad 13. Shri Shivaji Kanya Shala, Aurangabad (M.S.) 14. Shri Shivaji Primary School, Aurangabad (M.S.) 15. Shri Shivaji Primary School, Vazirabad, Nanded, Dist. Nanded 16. Shri Sant Gadge Maharaj Primary School, Loha, Dist. Nanded 17. Shri Sant Gadge Maharaj Secondary and Higher Secondary School, Loha, Dist. Nanded 18. Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Dalit Vidyarthi Vasti-gruha, Kandhar, Dist. Nanded 19. Shri Shivaji Urdu Primary School, Mukhed, Dist. Nanded 20. Shri Shivaji Vidya Mandir Primary School, Kandhar, Dist. Nanded 21. Magdumiya Urdu Primary School, Hatiapura, Kandhar, Dist. Nanded 22. Shri Shivaji Primary School, Kurula, Tq. Kandhar, Dist. Nanded |
| College Profile Name of the Institution: Shri Sant Gadge Maharaj Arts, Commerce & Science Mahavidyalaya, Loha Establishment Year: 1989 Affiliation: Swami Ramanand Teerth Marathwada University, Nanded Recognition: University Grants Commission 2f & 12 (B) (UGC), Maharashtra State Government Management: Shri Shivaji Mofat Education Society, Kandhar Founder & Administrator: Hon. Dr. Keshavrao Dhondge (Ex. M.P. & M.L.A., Senior Freedom Fighter) Principal: Dr. Ashok B. Gawate (M.Sc., M.Phil., Ph.D.) Type: Grant-in-aid Location: Rural – Gadgebabanagar, Loha, Dist. Nanded, Maharashtra Streams Offered: Arts, Commerce, Science Website: https://ssgmmloha.in Institutional Distinctiveness Shri Sant Gadge Maharaj Mahavidyalaya is distinctly recognized for its commitment to rural upliftment through higher education. Established with the vision to serve students from economically weaker, socially disadvantaged, and first-generation learners, the institution has become a transformative center for academic and social change in the Loha region. The college stands out for its inclusive approach, ensuring access to education for rural students, women, and marginalized sections of society. Guided by the philosophy of Sant Gadge Maharaj—emphasizing cleanliness, social justice, and selfless service—the institution integrates value-based education with academic excellence. The college has created a green and eco-friendly campus through tree plantation drives, renewable energy initiatives, and sustainable practices. With a student-centric focus, the institution supports overall development through academics, co-curricular activities, NSS, cultural initiatives, and community outreach programs. This distinctiveness has enabled the college to emerge as a role model in rural higher education, transforming lives and contributing to regional and national development. Best Practices 1. Rural Student Empowerment through Higher Education Special focus on first-generation learners and students from socio-economically weaker backgrounds. Bridge courses, remedial classes, and mentoring support to minimize learning gaps. Financial aid, government scholarships, and fee concessions for deserving students. Student progression facilitated towards higher studies, employability, and competitive examinations. 2. Clean & Green Campus Initiative Inspired by Sant Gadge Maharaj’s ideals of cleanliness and social responsibility. Implementation of plastic-free campus, solid waste management, rainwater harvesting, and tree plantation programs. A wareness campaigns on environmental conservation involving students, faculty, and local communities. Promotion of renewable energy and sustainable practices to align with national sustainability goals. Future Plans The institution has set forth a roadmap aligned with NEP 2020, UGC directives, and NAAC quality benchmarks: 1. Academic Expansion: Introduce new multidisciplinary UG and PG programs in emerging fields. Establish skill-based certificate and diploma courses in collaboration with industry. 2. Research & Innovation: Promote faculty and student research projects, encourage publications in peer-reviewed journals. Establish Research and Development Cell to seek funding from UGC, ICSSR, and other agencies. 3. Digital & ICT Integration: Strengthen smart classrooms, digital library resources, and e-learning platforms. Adopt Learning Management Systems (LMS) for blended learning. 4. Community Engagement: Expand NSS outreach and extension activities for village adoption programs. Organize skill-development, health awareness, and environmental campaigns for rural communities. 5. Quality Enhancement & Accreditation: Achieve higher NAAC grade by strengthening IQAC initiatives. Focus on Outcome-Based Education (OBE), Choice Based Credit System (CBCS), and continuous quality improvement. 6. Infrastructure Development: Develop state-of-the-art science laboratories, incubation center, and skill development hub. Upgrade campus facilities to provide a barrier-free, eco-friendly, and student-friendly environment. Shri Sant Gadge Maharaj Arts, Commerce & Science Mahavidyalaya, Loha, is more than an academic institution—it is a social movement for rural empowerment. By combining academic quality, social responsibility, and sustainable practices, the college continues to uphold its mission of serving society through education, thereby contributing to the national vision of Education for All and Atmanirbhar Bharat. |