EMERGENCE OF BERAR GENERAL EDUCATION SOCIETY

With the passage of time, Akola grew in size and population because of its trade, business and commerce. In 1935, the pre-independence period, one visionary Shri G D. alias Bhaurao Joshi felt the need of starting an educational institution at Akola. Those were the days when the winds of changes were blowing across the country and emphasis was being laid on education, especially women's education. Inspired by the thoughts and philosophy of Mahatma Jyotiba Phule, Lokmanya Tilak and Agarkar, Baburao Joshi started The Berar General Education society on the auspicious day of Makar Sankranti, the 14th of January 1935. Modern School was the first establishment set up under the aegis of the Society. This School was later renamed N. M. Choudhari School. At that time, facilities for higher education were lacking in Akola. Baburao Joshi was a teacher, having a meager income. He had no funds to start a college. But his sprit was not dampened, and with great determination he raised a loan ofRs. 10,000 by mortgaging his personal property. This is a case of supremesacrifice made by an individual fired with a sincere cause and desire. In 1937, Berar Arts College was started under the aegis of Berar General Education Society. In 1938, help and support came from Smt. Sitabai Shah Jain, a religious and pious lady, who very generously offered a cash donation of Rs.10,000 and about four acres of land along with a building in the present Civil Lines area. In 1938, Berar Arts College was renamed as Sitabai Arts College, after its noble donor. Baburao Joshi became its founder principal. Baburao Joshi was a great Sanskrit scholar and had a mastery over many other subjects. Six other persons inspired by selfless service joined Baburao Joshi and together they worked hard for the growth and development of Sitabai Arts College. They are popularly known as the 'SAPTARSHIS'. Under the principal ship of Baburao Joshi, the college flourished and soon earned a legendary status in the Nagpur University area. Sitabai Arts College has become a brand name and has produced many great scholars and men of eminence serving the nation. It is a glorious fact on record that more than once, the college students have bagged ten out often positions in the merit list.
The founding fathers of the Society had a vision to follow knowledge like "The sinking star beyond the utmost bound of human thought." A manifestation of this deeper striving was seen when the Commerce, Science and Law faculties that were added to the college during the period 1956 to 1958. Thus, Sitabai Arts College became a Multi-Faculty College. Prior to this, the student community was required to go to far away places for prosecuting their higher studies. The faculties developed so rapidly that it became necessary to bifurcate them into independent entities. In this sense, Sitabai Arts College may be said to be the mother institution as all its faculties have branched out into separate colleges. At present, Sitabai Arts College is a pure arts faculty college with a number of P.G courses like M. A. In English Literature, Marathi Literature, Hindi Literature, Economics, Sociology, Political Science and History. At. U.G. Level, a variety of optional subjects are offered. Among them Urdu, Persian, Music, Sanskrit and Home Economics deserve a special mention. Under Amaravati University Jurisdiction, this is the only college where so many subject options are made available to the students.
The educational activities of Berar General Education Society have spread to other parts of the district also. In 1961, the Society opened Kisanlal Nathmal Goenka College at Karanja to cater to the needs of rural population. It was Seth Kisanlal Nathmalji Goenka, a noble soul, who donated land for the college. The college is a multi-faculty college with arts and commerce faculties and has a student strength of more than 1,000 at present.
In Sitabai Arts College, the faculty of commerce was started in the year 1957 with 65 students on roll. In the year 1964, Seth Radhakisanji Toshniwal, a landlord, moneylender and philanthropist of Akola, donated a sum of Rs. 25,000 and a piece of land measuring about 2 acres for starting a separate commerce college. Thus, Smt. Laxmibai Radhakisan Toshniwal College of Commerce came into being. At present, the college boasts to be the largest single faculty commerce college under the jurisdiction of Sant Gadge Baba Amravati University with student strength of about 4,000. The college runs various courses leading to diplomas and degrees of B.com., M.com., M.C.M., M.Phil., M.I.R.P.M., D.B.M., D.M.M., D.F.M., and D.Tax. It is a recognized research center. In 1968, again Seth Radhakisanji Toshniwal came forward and donated a sumptuous amount of money for starting a separate science college. Thus, in the year 1968, Shri Radhakisan Laxminarayan Toshniwal College of Science was set up. This is an exclusively science college, having U.G. courses apart from the junior college. It is a well reputed college, famous for producing merit students. At present, About 1,500 students are taking education in the college. It is also a university recognized research center for prosecuting doctoral studies. All these colleges have been duly assessed and accredited by NAAC, Banglaore. The process of reaccredidation in all the colleges is in progress. The law faculty was added to Sitabai Arts College in the year 1956. In the year 2006, this faculty was separated with the establishment of an independent Law college. The college proposes to start P.G course in law leading to LL.M. degree from the academic session 2009-2010. The Law college has produced many eminent personalities who are serving the bench and the Bar.