Establishment

Sri Sathya Sai College for Women, Bhopal, was founded by the grace of Bhagwan Sri Sathya Sai Baba himself on 4th July 1974, a Guru Poornima day. By His Divine Grace, the institution finally set its sail on its worldly journey in December 1974 under the stewardship of Dr. (Miss.) Tara Pandurang Prabhu. Swami deputed Dr. T.P. Prabhu with this special assignment from the Women's College at Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh, the first girls college established by Swami. Dr. Prabhu dedicated all her life for the establishment of this institution. The tiny sapling, in these 39 years, has grown into a tree.

The college was started in a metpha shed in the BHEL township. The BHEL community, secular in its outlook, enjoys wide exposure to modern science and technology. An ambience of sophistication and modernism, based on liberal education prevails in the township. Way back in the 70's, the Bhopal city was not so developed and it was not easy to commute from the township to the city. The need for a girls' college was strongly felt, but no serious effort had been made. The people of Bhopal and particularly BHEL township were blessed by Baba's divine grace when the college was established in December 1974 in the Piplani area of the BHEL township.

The college was started with 21 students, 5 teachers and a single faculty, Arts with five subjects – English, Hindi, History, Economics and Political Science. Recognizing and appreciating the efforts and performance of the institution, BHEL decided to provide some land on lease for the college. After considering various sites, BHEL leased out the present site of 21 acres. The foundation stone for the permanent building was laid on Vijayadashami day, 1st October 1979 by HE Shri C.M. Poonacha, the then Governor of Madhya Pradesh. The Arts faculty received grant-in-aid status from UGC in 1980. The college, which began with a meager building and a handful of students, moved to its new building in the Habibganj area of the township in 1981. The same year the college was benefited with Science faculty and 5 teachers were added. The frail sapling gradually gathered strength as it grew and bloomed. The new building was formally inaugurated by Bhagwan Baba. The students and staff were blessed by the Lord during his divine visit to Bhopal on 13th April, 1982.

Baba himself explained the purpose of establishing the college: - "I insist that the students should progress in developing skills which will make them useful to the community".

In a women's institution, demand for Home Science faculty was felt and B.Sc.(Home Science) course was introduced in 1983. In the year 1984 , need for professional course was strongly felt and the Education faculty was established. The Science faculty got grant-in-aid status in 1987. Considering the requirement, the Computer Department was established in 1990 with modular courses & PGDCA, and to fulfill the increasing demand in commerce , the Commerce faculty was also opened. To keep pace with the requirements of time, new courses like B.Sc. Computer Science, B.Com. Computer Application, BCA. The PG courses in English, Hindi, Political Science, History, Mathematics, Chemistry, Zoology, Biotechnology and Computer Science were gradually introduced.

Swami always emphasized that education should not only enable students to earn a living, but should facilitate them to be better human beings. He said, "Education is for life, not for mere living".

Thus, students in Sai institutions should not only concentrate on their studies, but also on developing their character, so that they may set an example to others and promote the ideals of Sai education through their deeds and actions. Moral Education is promoted by lecture in spiritual class every Thursday by experts in different subjects.

Presently the college owns 19 acres of sprawling land with the main college building, Annexure with additional class rooms, separate library block which has a rich collection of more than 32000 books, besides magazines, periodicals, science journals and newspapers. There is a students' common room and a canteen. Common Room is named as "Rajat Mandap" & it was built with the contribution of Teachers, Staff and Management of the college in the silver jubilee year 1999.Canteen facilities are available from morning till evening with delicious hygienic healthy food and refreshment. The College also runs a Gymnasium where the students workout under the instructions of the Sports Officer.

The college has a considerably big girls' hostel in the campus, which can house 110 students. Almost 3 acres of land has been utilized for Urban forestry where more than 4000 trees were planted with the cooperation of M.P. Government Forest Department. The campus has a huge garden, which includes rose garden, bush green coconut and show palm trees.

There are about 1400 students and a team of well-qualified, competent and devoted teachers. The College has more than 100 Computers including a full-fledged Computer laboratory comprising of 70 PCs under LAN with internet facility and are equipped with smart classes for UG/PG courses. In the College, Science departments have separate UG and PG Laboratory with latest facilities. The college office and all the departments have also been provided computers with internet facilities. The Central Library in the college is fully computerized and has a network resource center set-up for research scholars. Many Journals in different subjects are also available.

Some other basic facilities provided in the institution include – Prayer hall, in-house Bank Counter, Aqua Guard for drinking water, PCO, Parking Sheds for vehicle, Sound-system, College vehicle etc.

The college has two units of National Service Scheme with two programme officers and more than 200 student volunteers, who actively participate in various community development programmers. One wing of National Cadet Core i.e. Army & is functional in the college under the able guidance of a trained NCC officer. There are more than 106 cadets, who actively participate in varied activities and bring laurels for the institution. Our NSS volunteers & NCC cadets participate regularly in the National Integration Camps and Republic Day Camps. Thal Sainik camp, Youth Exchange camp, Combined Annual Training Camp and Annual Training Camp. The Institution has acquired a distinctive place in the field of Sports also. Our students have participated in the State and National Level Events.

Besides the above, the institution is involved in a number of other extension and community development programmes like Adult education, Environmental Awareness, World Wildlife Fund Activities and Preservation, Aids awareness, Women Empowerment, Health & Hygiene awareness programmes, Blood-donation etc.

Our college enjoys a distinct identity because of its unique features:

• The day begins with a general assembly attended by all students and teachers. Sarvadharma prayer, two minutes 'Maun', noble thought, mangal arti followed by few minutes of yogasana & meditation are the regular features in the assembly. Every Thursday, bhajans and spiritual talks are conducted.
• Special classes are held for education in human values.
• Celebration of Guru Purnima, visit to Prashanti Nilayam, Laksharchana on Makar Sankranti day are annual features.
• Dress code and strict discipline are observed.
• Surya Namaskar is also organized every year.
• Close teacher-pupil relation facilitated by the advisor- advisee system. The institution has grown with a steady pace in these twenty-nine years. With the blessings of Swami, much has been achieved. Continuous progress has taken place and the process of expansion still going on. The institution has always given weight age to quality rather than mere quantity. Growth is a continuous process and in the path of perfection, sky is the limit. By the grace of Swami, the institution is constantly striving towards betterment with a view to accomplish a synthesis of the traditional and the modern values, of the material and the spiritual, of academic and extra curricular excellence, nurturing a firm hope that :
  "Those who walk with God always reach their destination".