The year 1916 marked the beginning of a new era in the
history of women's higher education in India. In that year, Dr. Dhondo Keshav Karve started, with
just four students, the Indian Women's University at Hingne, near Poona. In a
society governed by age-old customs and out-dated attitudes toards women, an
institution of this type as bound to face social and economic difficulties.
Fortunately, in 1920 Sir Vithaldas Thackersey, impressed by the pioneering work
of Dr. Karve, made a contribution of Rs. 15 lakhs to this institution to
commemorate the memory of his mother. Thereafter, the University came to be
known as Shreemati Nathabai Damodar
Thackersey (SNDT) Indian Women's University. The headquarters of the
University were shifted to Bombay in 1936. The University continued to grow
providing higher education to more and more women. In 1951, the University
received statutory recognition and since then its progress has been accelerated.
In retrospect, the University can be said to have played
a significant role in spreading the light of knowledge among women and taking up
at various stages newer areas for providing greater access to women for higher
education.
The Posts and Telegraphs Department felt privileged to
bring out a special postage stamp to mark the Diamond Jubilee of this pioneer
institution. The stamp depicts the
building of S.N.D.T. Women's University.
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