History

The history of institutions in the first few years of their inception are the most fascinating narratives, for they speak volumes for the times, the dynamics, the leadership and the people for whom they were built. One such history, unique and inspiring, is the trajectory of growth of Hyderabad (Sind) National Collegiate Board and its institutions.

A dream, a strategy, a hope and a changed political situation seem to have been the basic ingredients of what is today a reputed chain of well-managed colleges. Hyderabad (Sind) National Collegiate Board (HSNC Board) was first founded in Hyderabad (Sind) in 1921. It took over the management of Rishi Dayanand Gidumal College in Sind in the year of its inception. In the next two decades, HSNC Board had expanded and built an additional wing to house a Commerce College.

Then in 1947, partitioning of the subcontinent into India and Pakistan struck a cruel blow to any further consolidation in the field of higher education. Shri. K. M. Kundnani, then the newly appointed Principal of the college and as a man of infinite vision had begun to dream about the future of the colleges. To him, 'Hyderabad was the heart of Sind and his colleges the heart of Hyderabad'. In the changing political scenario, laced with feelings of hatred, such sentiments did not hold good. Mass exodus towards India had upset the routine of everyday life and safety. It is troubled times that test the endurance as well as the limits of human ingenuity. The entire subcontinent was in a state of flux and the atmosphere in the colleges was one of gloom and uncertainty. Principal K.M. Kundnani consoled his staff with the assurance that he was going to start a college in Bombay. Inspired by a new mission, guided by his pragmatic no-nonsense approach and sense of thrift, he shipped equipments, books and a prized chair with the insignia of the college to Bombay. Three qualities that he was endowed with in good measure were to play a seminal role in the setting up of the HSNC Board’s colleges in the future.

The journey into another moment in history had already begun. Principal Kundnani's arrival in Bombay marked the turning point of the next chapter in the history of the HSNC Board. After extensive search, a plot was located in the suburban outskirts of Bandra and was procured on lease. In November 1948 the construction started at an incessant pace and within six months the structure was ready to allow the college to function from June 1949. Thus, Rishi Dayanand National College made its debut in Bandra.

Barrister H. G. Advani played a pivotal role in tapping sponsors, getting donations and providing leadership. Principal K. M. Kundnani and Barrister H. G. Advani were the founding fathers and pillars of the various institutions of higher learning in and around Bombay. Both these great men provided the institutions direction and leadership throughout their lives: Barrister Advani as President and Principal Kundnani as Secretary for several decades. Mr. Kishinchand Chellaram, Mr. Wassiamull Assomull and Mr. J. Watumull provided financial assistance and infrastructure.

The second institution set up was K. C. College at Churchgate. It stands today on a plot which was leased from Mrs. Ratanben Fauzdar. The then minister for education, Shri Dinkarrao Desai laid the foundation stone of the building. However, with limited funds, Principal Kundnani took over both the nitty gritty as well as the mighty tasks of constructing yet another college within the record time of six months in June 1954.

Colleges

A task well begun is a job half done. HSNC Board had expanded its network of colleges in quick succession, encompassing wide-ranging disciplines of Arts, Science, Commerce, Management, Education, Pharmacy, Engineering and Law. The colleges thus established are:
 

R. D. National College & W. A. Science College, Bandra	June, 1949
Kishinchand Chellaram College, Churchgate	June, 1954
Kishinchand Chellaram Law College, Churchgate	June, 1955
Hassaram Rijhumal College of Commerce and Economics, Churchgate	June, 1960
K. C. College of Management Studies, Churchgate	June, 1960
Smt. Mithibai Motiram Kundnani College of Commerce and Economics, Bandra	June, 1961
Smt. Chandibai Himathmal Mansukhani College, Ulhasnagar	June, 1965
Bombay Teachers' Training College, Colaba	June, 1969
Prin. K. M. Kundnani College of Pharmacy, Cuffe Parade	June, 1971
Prin. K. M. Kundnani Pharmacy Polytechnic, Ulhasnagar	June, 1971
Gopaldas Jhamatmal Advani Law College, Bandra	September, 1977
Watumull Institute of Electronics Engineering & Computer Technology, Worli	November, 1981
Thadomal Shahani Engineering College, Bandra	October, 1983
Institute of Technology, Ulhasnagar	August, 1985
Dr. L. H. Hiranandani College of Pharmacy, Ulhasnagar	August, 2004
Nari Gursahani Law College, Ulhasnagar	August, 2004
Hashmatrai & Gangaram Himathmal Mansukhani Institute of Management, Ulhasnagar	August, 2005

In 1980, the Board sought Linguistic Minority status under Article 30{1} of the Constitution of India. The first three decades after its relocation in India were utilized in institution building and consolidation. But this time, a significant number of changes in the economy were bound to have their repercussions on education. Globalisation and liberalization had by the early nineties altered the entire praxis. By this time also, there were a number of significant changes in the internal as well as the overall leadership of the institutions of the Board.

It was time to bid farewell to the founding members. Barrister Hotchand Advani died on 9th May, 1991 followed by Principal Kundnani who succumbed to a heart attack on 7th November, 1992. The sense of loss was indeed great but sound planning had provided for an easy transition. Oxford educated Barrister Ashok H. Advani took over reigns as succeeding President of the HSNC Board while Prof J. K. Bhambhani became its Rector and Secretary. After this transition in the nineties several changes came to the fore. With his dynamic leadership Barrister Advani Jr. sensing the global mood, found it necessary to open the doors of the institutions to the winds of change.

He often quoted M.K. Gandhi's words in his addresses to the staff spread across several colleges to drive home the message that an international exposure for his staff and students was really the need of the hour: "Be the change that you want to see in the world" he said. "Open up your doors and windows, let the winds blow through, but don't let it sweep you off your feet." Several international exchanges, visits, tie-ups and programmes were initiated during 1995 to 2003 with as many as 50 faculty members travelling abroad through sponsorship of HSNC Board.

Guided by this philosophy, HSNC Board has been actively forming collaborations and tie-ups with some of the major universities of the world. Like Deakin University, Australia and Union College, New York. These collaborations are aimed to mutually benefit both the institutions through exchange of students and faculty.

A new era commenced with Mr. Niranjan Hiranandani becoming the President of the HSNC Board in November, 2003. An illustrious son of an illustrious father, Mr. Hiranandani proved that he was a builder par excellence as he left no stone unturned to see that the HSNC Board marched ahead on its journey of education under his able guidance and encouragement, each of the premier institutions of the HSNC Board has grown, developed and become a prestigious name to be reckoned with.

Ms. Manju J. Nichani, Principal, K. C. College, took over as the Secretary of HSNC Board in June 2006. She has given a new direction to the activities of HSNC Board. Her dynamism and untiring efforts have led the institutions to grow from strength to strength. HSNC Board continues to have the support and guidance of Prof. J. K. Bhambhani who functions as the Rector.

Mr. Anil Harish became the President in June 2007. He is one of the leading legal experts and a Partner in D. M. Harish & Co. and advises on matters relating to taxation, property transactions, and the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act. Even though he is a very busy man yet he ensures that he is available at all the times for the various activities of the Board. A soft spoken man he puts in unstinting efforts to the betterment of the academics and other activities.

From June 2010 Mr. Kishu Hashmatrai Mansukhani has taken over as the President of the Hyderabad (Sind) National Collegiate Board. Mr. Mansukhani has been associated with the Board as its Member since 1974. He was Vice President of HSNC Board from 2003 to 2010. He is a graduate in Mechanical Engineering and Management Studies from U.S.A. He had long career of nearly 30 years with Tata Group where he occupied senior positions with them in India and U.S.A. As President of the Board, Mr. Mansukhani’s efforts have been to inculcate the ethics, the values, the culture achieved by him through his experience while working with esteemed Tata Group. Mr. Mansukhani’s family’s help particularly with the generosity of Shri Gangaram, his paternal uncle, who was also member of the HSNC Board, 16.5 acres of land was purchased for the Collegiate Board for establishment of Chandibai Himathmal Mansukhani (CHM) College and the CHM Campus at Ulhasnagar. Due to the generous contribution of his family, the Board named two of its schools after their families, namely, Smt. Kishnibai Sitaldas Punwani Jai Hind Academy High School & Jr. College and Master Sitaldas Punwani Tutorial High School and two Colleges i.e. Smt. Chandibai Himathmal Mansukhani College and Hashmatrai & Gangaram Himathmal Mansukhani Institute of Management.

The approach that the Management adopts towards the staff is one of caring support. A holiday home is maintained at Lonavala for the recreational use of the faculty members, students and their families.

Presently, HSNC Board is looking seriously into the modernisation, consolidation and expansion of its programmes. Educationists, education administrators and management experts form an advisory team who advise the HSNC Board and have drawn up vision 2020.

Logo Philosophy

Simple and minimal in design approach, it talks about simple living and high thinking that the organization imbibes. The shape represents the global reach of the power of knowledge, while the colours talk about the values. Green is an earthy colour that says one must be firmly grounded and symbolizes respect towards the environment and the importance of ethics in all walks of life while the gold is about outshining in all your endeavors and reaching new heights. The rising sun is about the new drawn that this revolutionary education system will bring in, spreading the light of wisdom. The floral ornament is how it can enrich your lives and make the world a better place.

Vision

Hyderabad (Sind) National Collegiate Board, comprising its members, faculty, staff and students has a glorious vision - a vision that will propel it onwards.

"To be at the frontline of human knowledge and work towards the fulfillment of cultural, scientific, intellectual and humane needs of society in general and students in particular; to enrich and enhance the economic vitality and quality of life, while being firmly rooted in the rich Indian ethos and belief."

Mission

The Hyderabad (Sind) National Collegiate Board is one of the oldest minority institutions in India, having been founded in 1948. It imparts a broad, balanced as well as professional education to students. The Board believes that education is an ongoing process of revelation and re-interpretation that leads to a rapturous growth of the individual.

Aims

1. To help students to form an understanding and appreciation of the complex world and to help them realize their actual intellectual, physical and social potential, to the fullest.

2. To prepare a new generation of skilled and ethical professionals by providing excellent academic programmes having a strong practical slant, so as to help individuals excel in a highly competitive world market.

3. To offer innovative, hands-on skills and instill in students an orientation towards research through constant interactions with public and private organizations within India and abroad.

4. Through academic, co-curricular and extra-curricular activities, to produce leaders who are capable of leading from the front, leaders who don't only adapt rapidly to change around them but also activate change for others to follow.

5. To emphasize high quality at the undergraduate, post-graduate and professional levels by leading and dedicated academicians and faculty.

6. To introduce healthy, state of the art teaching practices by organizing faculty development programmes.

7. To further the cause of the linguistic minority - Sindhis - so that they remain at the forefront of all developmental activities in the country without in any way diluting the multi-cultural ethos of a pluralistic, secular society.

8. To maintain a united, focused and effective internal governance so that each college understands and fulfills the mission of the Board and realizes its vision.

The Trustees, Executive Committee, Principals, Staff and Students of the HSNC Board are dedicated towards accomplishing this mission and pledge their individual and collective efforts in determining that the Board shall continue to be among the prominent institutions of higher education throughout the world.