A salute to the founder of Symbiosis Society, who celebrates his 76th birthday today.
Symbiosis" as a biological phenomenon was taught to me by Dr SB Mujumdar during my pre-professional year in Fergusson College, way back in the 1970s.
I still remember his first lecture when some of us met him to know more about the Symbiosis Cultural Centre that he had established.
I have remained his great admirer since then.
I used to participate in some functions of Symbiosis as a volunteer - be it during Raksha Bandhan or Bhau Beej.
I still remember the passion, compassion, care, commitment and love he had for all his students, especially the foreign students who are away from their homes.
During those days, Symbiosis cultural activities were primarily driven by students and faculty led by Dr Mujumdar.
Incidentally, I knew Dr Mujumdar much before I went to Fergusson as he was a good friend of my father, popularly known as 'Rayakaka'. After assuming charge of vice chancellor of Symbiosis International University, when Mujumdar sir came to my home and met Rayakaka after a very long time, both of them hugged passionately.
However, these were not the only reasons why I was attracted to Symbiosis. As a member of the University of Pune's senate, academic council and executive council, I had closely observed the fantastic metamorphosis of the Symbiosis Cultural Centre as a society; the establishment of the international student's hostel, the first management programme, the Law School, and the landmark achievement of being recognised as a deemed university.
I witnessed how, each time, the Symbiosis case was pleaded exclusively on merit without resorting to any wrong practices.
Dr Mujumdar had a long stint as executive councillor of the University of Pune. Rather than compromising the values, he preferred to remain in a minority group and established his own identity in the University politics.
He always stood for truth and justice and always supported teachers and students for a good cause.
He always remained tall, worked for creating an institution for quality education. He succeeded in creating the unique culture at Symbiosis and worked with the motto 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' (The world is one family).
Dr Mujumdar has always walked his talk. He preferred to remain a teacher and never gave up his simplicity despite Symbiosis becoming a very large enterprise.
Continuing to stay in a small flat, the standard Ambassador car was adequate for him and he deliberately abstained from becoming a 'Shiksan Samrat'.
Symbiosis was created by him as a family, to give a home to all those students who come away from home.
He nurtured several students, faculty, and staff and gave them full freedom. He did not compromise his value systems for any financial, political, family or personal reasons.
He is probably the only person who dared to make a public statement that 'Symbiosis does not accept any capitation for admissions'.
Today, Symbiosis has become a big brand with global recognition.
The Symbiosis International University is rated amongst the top 10 in management, law, economics, arts and commerce disciplines.
During the last few years, he has donned the role of a mentor and has given full freedom to his daughter, Vidya, who continues the legacy of the Symbiosis family by carrying on the same value systems.
Dr Mujumdar's dream is to make Symbiosis International University truly world class where students from different countries and different parts of India continue to get quality education.
His dream is to make Symbiosis from good to great. At the age of 76, Dr Mujumdar's enthusiasm, passion, sense of humour and uncompromising commitment to ethical value systems is only growing.
We at Symbiosis International University are committed to do our best to make his dream come true.
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