Vidya Bhawan Rural Institute

As part of a historic measure to develop Higher Education in rural areas, Government of India appointed a Committee under the Chairmanship of the then Deputy Minister of Education Dr. K.L. Shrimali, who was also one of the founders of Vidya Bhawan. On the report of the Shrimali Committee, the Central Government decided to entrust ten selected institutions in the country the task of establishing Rural Institutes. Vidya Bhawan Society was one of these ten.

So, the ninth anniversary of our Independence Day, 15th August, 1956, saw the birth of Vidya Bhawan Rural Institute (VBRI). The foundation-stone was laid by the Governor of Rajasthan, Shri Sardar Gurmukh Nihal Singh, on the 19th of January, 1957.

The course on Rural Sociology was first conceived and introduced by VBRI. In its early years, the Institution offered the following courses:

• Rural Services Diploma Course, which was equivalent to graduate degree of any Indian University.
• Post-Graduate Course in Rural Sociology and Community Development.
• Diploma Course in Civil and Rural Engineering.
• One year Sanitary Inspector Course

Department of Rural and Civil Engineering and Department of Extension are now running as separate full-fledged institutes, namely Vidya Bhawan Polytechnic College and Vidya Bhawan Krishi Vigyan Kendra. Vidya Bhawan Rural Institute itself has become a Post-Graduate college.

In the past six decades, the facilities and the quality of education at VBRI has attracted students from all socio-economic sections of the society in India and also from aboard.

The courses offered at VBRI include B.A. (English Literature, Hindi Literature, Sanskrit, History, Geography, Economics, Sociology, Political Science, Rural Sociology and Public Administration,), B.Sc. (Biology, Mathematics, Computer Science), B.B.M., B.Com. and B.C.A.

Post Graduation subjects offered are English Literature, Hindi Literature, Political Science, Economics, Rural Sociology, Analytical Chemistry, Organic Chemistry Mathematics.

In addition to the regular courses, VBRI hosts a regular study centre of Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), an internationally recognized University, which offers a wide range of degree, diploma and certificate courses.

VBRI is involved in valuable Research work and Faculty members have several papers and publications to their credit. Organizing Seminars and Workshops is a regular feature of the College.

VBRI also caters facilities within the campus to fulfill sports needs of the students. Several students including girls represented University, State and National level in various games such as Volleyball, Archery, Kabaddi, Track events etc.

Vidya Bhawan Rural Institute strives to cater to the deprived sections of the society by developing sustainable and viable programs, enhancing educational activities and sponsoring academics/support programs, evolving methods of economic empowerment, building community relationships, promoting social welfare organizations; and by initiating efforts in inter-connected socio-economic fields such as education, livelihood, natural resource management, health, women empowerment, and social justice.

“Empowering rural youth through quality higher education, research and innovations for a better life.”

• To provide quality higher education.
• To develop research capabilities in faculty and students.
• To inculcate innovativeness through appropriate learning environment.
• To offer new education programmes with a local to global perspective and vice versa.
• To develop sensitivity for responsible citizenship in global environment.

Dear Students,

Dr. Tej Prakash Sharma

Vidya Bhawan was founded by Dr. Mohan Sinha Mehta along with his close associates Dr. K.L. Shrimali and Shri K.L. Bordia in 1931. Ahead of its time, Vidya Bhawan was modeled on the principles of Boy Scout Movement, incorporating the Gandhian ideals of Basic Education. As opposed to the feudalistic society, the objective was to provide uncommon education to common children. The aim was to build a responsible citizenry capable of serving and transforming society.

Originally started as a modest effort, Vidya Bhawan has flourished into a bouquet of over a dozen institutions committed to quality and excellence in the field of education.
Shri Ajay S. Mehta is the President of Vidya Bhawan Society. He did his B.A. from Yale University and his M.Phil. in Economics from J.N.U. He worked in the Indian Railway Traffic Service from 1980-1984. Since then he has been associated with the voluntary sector.

Vidya Bhawan Society, in its objective of creating a more just, democratic, equitable and pluralistic society, has been catering to the needs of diverse sections of learners; which is reflected in the nature and work of all its institutions.

Vidya Bhawan Rural Institute offers Social Sciences and Humanities subjects at Graduation and Post Graduation levels. The Department has been working since 1964. Presently, the Department has 250 seats.

For B.A. Students have to opt three subjects from six groups of ten subjects. The Department also provides Post Graduate degree course (M.A.) in five subjects. The courses offered by the Department of Social Sciences and Humanities provide great carrier opportunities for students in government as well as private sector, particularly in teaching and administrative works. The Department also provides Research facilities in Political Science and Sociology.

To inculcate scientific temperament amongst the youth, Vidya Bhawan Rural Institute offers UG and PG courses in science. The Department of Science is engaged in science education with Botany and Mathematics streams since 1968. In the developing science scenario, the Department added courses, such as B.Sc. Computer Science in 1995 and B.C.A. in 2007.

The Department started PG courses; M.Sc in Analytical Chemistry in 2002, Organic Chemistry in 2006 and M.Sc. Mathematics in 2004. The Department also provides Research facility in Botany, Zoology and Chemistry. VBRI has well equipped Laboratories of Physics, Chemistry, Zoology, Botany and Computer Science.

In the changing economic environment across the globe, VBRI realized the need for professionalism in commerce and management; and started B.B.M. programme in 1996, which was the first of its kind in the MLSU. The College has been preparing professionals to meet the challenges and to make their mark in the global business scenario. With the rapid growth of banking and financial sectors in the country, the demand for skilled accountants has increased. To fulfill this gap, the Department started B.Com. in 2006.

Research facilities for Ph.D. Degree is available in following subjects:

1. Political Science

2. Sociology

3. Botany

4. Zoology

5. Chemistry

Note: Admission for Ph.D. will be on the basis of the University entrance test followed by personal interview conducted by the respective departments. All candidates admitted for Ph.D. will be required to complete one semester course work. Details are available at the Mohanlal Sukhadia University website.

In session 2022-23, Vidya Bhawan Rural Institute has started a 5 skill based short term course for first year students of all streams to provide basic skills. These courses are

1. Course in Website Development – Co-ordinator Sh. Sonesh Bhatia
2. Course in Retail Management– Co-ordinator Dr. Harshita Bhatnagar
3. Course in Rural extension and Management– Co-ordinator Dr. Manoj Rajguru
4. Course in Spoken English and soft skill development – Co-ordinator Dr. Neelu Tiwari
5. Course in Yoga– Co-ordinator Dr. Neeru Shrimali

These multiple skill Programmes are focused on making rural and economically disadvantaged students self-reliant through innovative training that can help them earn while they learn. After so many obstacles around 90 students has successfully completed these courses with full zeal and enthusiasm. This course has imparted practical learning to the students which makes them ready for the rewarding career in the different sector. All first year students have enrolled in one of these courses based upon their own choices. Despite the immense challenges, we finally commenced our classes in which experts from academics and industry have visited and delivered lectures on myriad topics. Visiting experts admires us for running these skill courses and have shown their willingness to give their support in any form.

Demand for highly professional, skilled and trained employees has made skill education a necessity in India. Around 90 students of different courses were awarded certificates based upon their regularity in the classes, assignments, field visits, and presentations along with internal and external exams. Many retail companies like Zudio, Max, Reliance, Pantaloons approached us to provide job opportunities and on the job training to these students in their retail stores. Being a first year students, they prefer to continue their studies instead of doing job right now but they were happy to know that they are now self reliant.

Vidya Bhawan Rural Institute is located at Badgaon, near the city of lakes Udaipur in southern Rajasthan. The College is situated in 60 acres of green, clean and serene environment.

The College has a well stocked library with networked computers. A rich collection of more than 44 thousand books cover diverse spheres of social sciences and humanities, science, commerce and management. A range of encyclopedias, research journals, magazines and newspapers are also available to students and faculty members.

A special reading room is located on the 1st floor of the library for students and scholars who wish to have their space to engage in rigorous academics.

The Book Bank facility is available for all students. Presently, the students avail benefit of 8518 text-books in the Book Bank. Each student can take a maximum of 6 text-books for the entire academic year by paying 20% of the printed price of the book.

The College has separate laboratories for Physics, Chemistry, Botany, Zoology, Computer, Rural Sociology and Geography. All laboratories are well equipped to meet the requirements of teaching and learning as per the syllabus.

Two fully furnished Computer Science Labs have 60 computers with peripherals like Hi-DPI scanners, printers and projectors. The College has internet with Wi-Fi facility.

Theoretical science is put to practice at the Physics Lab, where latest equipments are available to students for hands-on application of different theories

Six well equipped Chemistry Labs have instruments like UV/Vis spectro photometer, polarograph, karl fisher and flame photometer apart from regular features.

Two Botany Laboratories have numerous specimens and provide all the necessary facilities to understand and learn about the vivid flora.

Microscopes and other equipment bring to fore the story of life in the Zoology Lab, which has turned digital too. The dissections will be done digitally.

Charts, maps, models, wooden based light-globe, survey instruments, GPS, telescope and ‘The Times’ world atlas are part of the extensive learning materials available at the Geography Lab.

The College has hi-tech language learning gadgets installed in its digital Language Laboratory. Along with conceptual clarity, English language skills of the students are developed considering the present milieu. Students use display screen with graphical images. Teachers pay individual attention to pronunciations. Students spend good.

VBRI has indoor and outdoor games facilities. Two playgrounds are used for Football, Hockey, Kho-Kho, Cricket and various track and field events. Kabaddi and Volleyball are played on separate courts.

Indoors
(1) Gymnasium
(2) Table-Tennis
(3) Carom
(4) Chess

Outdoors
(1) Volleyball
(2) Basketball
(3) Kho-Kho
(4) Hockey
(5) Football
(6) Cricket

The College has canteen facility for the students and staff. Spacious and hygienic, the canteen accommodates 40 people at a time.

The College has established a separate Common Room for girls. The room has been designed to give female students a comfortable place to unwind, study and have informal discussions. The room is well lit and ventilated; and has a relaxed friendly ambiance.

VBRI has over three dozen residential quarters available for teaching staff and class-IV staff. The quarters are situated in a natural and serene atmosphere.

Vidya Bhawan Rural Institute provides hostel facility for boys within the campus. Hostel has accommodation for 60 students. Well furnished spacious rooms have all amenities; including 24×7 power and water supply, television, water purifier and kits for indoor and outdoor games. Canteen is nearby! The building surrounds a playground for hostlers. First aid facility is available for any eventuality and a hospital is in close proximity.

Director Dr. Tej Prakash Sharma, Director, VBRI, has more than 13 years of teaching experience. He did his Ph.D. from Mohan Lal Sukhadia University in 2002. He has been actively engaged in the field survey and documentation of Bryophyte Flora in general and Bryidae in particular in India. Dr. Sharma co-authored two books on Biology. He has 20 Research Papers under his name which have been published in renowned national and international journals. Dr. Sharma has a dynamic approach towards academics and administration, which motivates the faculty, staff and students to achieve academic goals.

Books:
Bryophyte Flora of Gujarat (India), by B.L. Chaudhary, T.P. Sharma, Charu Sanadhya. Himanshu Publication, Udaipur/New Delhi, 2006.
Bryophyte Flora of North Konkan, Maharashtra (India), by B.L. Chaudhary, T.P. Sharma, F.S. Bhagora. Himanshu Publication, Udaipur/New Delhi, 2008.

NSS

The college has two units of National Service Scheme (NSS), where students are trained for social services. The main works carried out by the NSS units are tree plantation, general awareness, literacy projects, community health programs, debates/discussions on socially relevant issues (like dowry, AIDS, prohibition on liquor etc).
In case of emergencies and other traumatic conditions NSS volunteers donate blood. They also work on campus beautification. Camps are organised from time to time. The activities channelize the energy of youth in constructive works. Students who work regularly for two years get a Certificate. Such students get bonus marks/ priority in admissions as per the Government rules.

Rover Unit

Rover Scouting is a service division of Scout for young men, and women. A group of Rovers, analogous to a Scout troop, is called a ‘Crew. The purpose of the unit is to develop the inherent potential of the young people by providing them a number of structured activities in order to make them physically, mentally, socially, spiritually and emotionally strong and useful citizens of the Nation.

Principles: 

• Duty to God
• Duty to Others
• Duty to Self

Rangers and Rovers:

The Rangers and Rovers fall under the Scout and Guide movement. Bharat Scout and Guide is a voluntary, non–political, educational movement for young people, open to all without distinction of origin, race or creed, in accordance with the purpose, principles and method conceived by the founder Lord Baden Powell in 1907.

The purpose of the movement is to contribute to the development of young people in achieving their full physical, intellectual, social and spiritual potentials as individuals, as responsible citizens and as members of the local, national and international communities.

The mission of Scouting is to contribute to the education of young people, through a value system based on the Scout Promise and Law to help build a better world where people are self-fulfilled as individuals and play a constructive role in society.

Placement Cell

Our Campus Recruitment Program starts by the beginning of the Pre-final semester.

VBRI’s Placement Cell has a three step programme:

• To provide a feel of the industry environment to the students and orient them on various business and industry prospects.
• To support students in search of jobs and prepare them to write applications, resume and face interviews.
• To contact and stay in touch with the prospective business houses; and arrange Campus Recruitments and Off-Campus Interviews

Research Journal

Vidya Bhawan Journal of Interdisciplinary Research was released on 10 December 2014 by Shri Riaz Tehsin, President, Vidya Bhawan Society. The Chief Editor is Prof. Arun Chaturvedi and the Managing Editor is Dr. T.P. Sharma.

Volume-1 of the bi-lingual Journal carries 10 Articles, 5 Notes and Comments, 4 Book Reviews and one Summary of Thesis in the areas of science, literature, environment, management, education, history, sociology, political science, etc.

Books

About The Book

The interest in business ethics accelerated during the 1980s and 1990s with the adoption of neo liberal economic policies across countries. Modern businesses are increasingly accepting the need to behave ethically so as to be successful in the long run. Business without sound ethics have eventually collapsed and their profit shrunk overtime as have been in evident form the experiences of Enroh Lehman Bros, Satyam Computers and many such disasters. Happening of such events raises question about the basic values of owners and managers and thus requires examinations of the behaviours of business enterprises. This book is a collection of selected papers that were presented in the UGC sponsored National seminar on Business Ethics:  Emerging Paradigm focusing on is issues like strategic perceptive in Business Ethics and human behaviour. Business ethics and corporate governance Indian ethics in business management and business ethics and Globalisation.

Vidya Bhawan Rural Institute

(Run & Managed by Vidya Bhawan Society)