With the awakening of
national consciousness in the early years of the last century,
a few notable efforts were made in British India
to improve the system of education prevalent in India during that
time. Gujarat Vidyapeeth, started by Mahatma Gandhi, aimed at preparing
youth to serve and uplift the rural masses; Shantiniketan tried
to bring the cultures of the East and West into Universal
harmony; Jamia Milia tried to educate the Muslims in keeping with the needs
of the main Stream of National life; and the Gurukul Kangdi aimed
at preserving
the cultural heritage of the nation keeping with the requirements of the modern
age. Inspired by the same spirit Pandit Janardan Rai Nagar established 'Rajasthan
Vidyapeeth' in 1937 to uplift the down-trodden common man in the feudal state
of Mewar. Started as a night Study Centre for the Elementary, secondary and
Advanced Courses in Hindi, our national language, Rajasthan Vidyapeeth
has grown into
a large complex of more than 50 institutions spread over several districts
of Rajasthan.
Historically, Rajasthan has been a paradise for knowledge seekers, as it
has a rich cultural heritage in the form of manuscripts, historic documents,
icons, epigraphs and monuments. Late Manishi Pandit Janardan Rai Nagar's
initiative and vision led him to start the Prachin Sahitya Shodh Sansthan
in 1941 to preserve, edit, translate and publish old manuscripts. Probably,
it was a unique Institute of its kind in Rajasthan, which was established
for the conservation of cultural heritage.
After the historic event of the unification of Rajasthan, 'Hindi Vidyapeeth'
added new dimensions to its basic objectives. It became a leading Non-Government
Organisation during the course of its journey and the founder Pandit Janardan
Rai Nagar renamed it as Rajasthan Vidyapeeth. |
