Guru Nanak Khalsa College of Arts, Science & Commerce

Coordinates: 19°01′31″N 72°51′23″E / 19.025171°N 72.856505°E / 19.025171; 72.856505

Guru Nanak Khalsa College

Motto in English	"The Essence of Wisdom is Service to Mankind"
Type	Private – Research
Established	1937
Academic staff	200
Administrative staff	150
Students	6000
Location	Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Campus	27,642 sq. yds.
Website	gnkhalsa.edu.in

Guru Nanak Khalsa College is a higher education college located in South Central Mumbai, India.^[1]

The college was established in 1937 by Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee.^[2] It is located in the immediate vicinity of three other institutions of learning, namely Don Bosco High School (Matunga), UDCT (University Department of Chemical Technology) and the Veermata Jijabai Technological Institute. Its alumni include Indian Olympians and the Indian Hockey team members, some of whom are recipients of the Arjuna award and Padmashri, and Hindi film personalities.^[3][4]

History

Shiromani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee’s Guru Nanak Khalsa College of Arts, Science and Commerce is among the earliest institutions of higher learning that emerged on the educational landscape of the erstwhile city of Bombay. Situated in the heart of the city, yet in peaceful seclusion, amidst idyllic centres of learning, the college has a majestic and aesthetically-designed structure and a verdant ambience. It is one of the few colleges in Mumbai to have its own sports ground. The College is one of Mumbai’s older colleges; it is permanently affiliated to the University of Mumbai and was accorded the UGC recognition under 2f in 1974. Its financial status is grant-in-aid.^[5]

G. N. Khalsa was the brainchild of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, who wanted to set up a centre or an institute in Bombay for higher education. In 1935 he put forth this proposal of establishing an educational institution for higher education in Bombay to the Sikh religious leaders at Amritsar. The Sikh leaders agreed upon this idea with their main objective of providing good quality of higher education and also to popularize Sikh culture in a non-Sikh State. Thus in 1937, G. N. Khalsa College was born in a plot where the college stands today, with the total area of 27, 642 sq. yards.^[6]

In spite of being a Minority institution, the college follows the Sikh ideology of oneness of Humanity, prides itself on its cosmopolitan staff and student population and a healthy, secular atmosphere. The college proudly upholds its secular ideals weaving a rich, vibrant, multicultural microcosm of Indian society.

Famous Alumni

G. N. Khalsa College has produced famous personalities in various fields including academicians like the former Vice-Chancellor of Mumbai University Shri Ram Joshi. The College has also produced many famous Sports personalities, Olympians, Arjuna award winners and Padmashris. The following Khalsities have represented India in Olympics: S.S. Narayan (Football), Mary Leela Rao (Athletics), Balbir Singh (Hockey), Silma D’Silva (Hockey), Lorraine Fernandes (Hockey), Joaquim Carvalho (Hockey), Marcelus Gomes (Hockey), Marl Patterson (Hockey), Jude Menezes (Hockey), Adrian D’Souza, Gavin Fereira and many more. Lorraine Fernandes and Joaquim Carvalho are also Arjuna Award recipients; where as Silma D’Silva is also a recipient of the prestigious Padmashri.^[7]

Cinema entities who studied at Khalsa college include Ramesh Talwar (Director), Kuldeep Singh (composer), Salim (Script writer) and Akshay Kumar (Bollywood actor).^[8]

The College also conducts classes on Punjabi, Divinity and carries out `Akhand Path’ followed by `Langar’. The colleges also houses a gurudwara within its campus.

See also

• List of places named after Guru Nanak Dev

References