18th October, 1920. It has been deemed university since 1963
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Prakashan Mandir
Printing press and journalism started in India during British rule. Even today, its role has been important in spreading knowledge and information, raising public awareness and plebiscite, and in the work of public education and public information with regard to the development of nationhood.
Even during the Apartheid struggle in South Africa, Gandhiji made journalism a powerful tool for the ideologies of the masses and published the 'Indian Act' in his own press. So when he established 'Gujarat Vidyapith' in Ahmedabad in 1920, he sensibly laid special emphasis on publishing activities from the very beginning. As a result, this activity has continued with minor changes since 1920 till date.
Gujarat Vidyapith, being an institution imparting education from pre-primary to Vidyavachaspati (Ph.D), its objectives have been slightly different from other publishing institutions. Propagation of Gandhi's ideology, preparation of sattvasheel literature of nationalism, to explore the culture and identity of Gujarat and the Country, to present excellent world literature and Gujarati researches to the society, to promote the mother tongue and national language through thesaurus publication, publishing activities are carried out for the purposes of making available reading material in mother tongue related to the curriculum from pre-primary to Vidyavachaspati. What is particularly important is that this activity is not conducted with a profit motive.
Gujarat Vidyapith has published over 1200 publications till date in different languages and subjects under different series. Among them are the early publications titled 'Swatantra Balshikshana' (L. Gijubhai Badheka) and 'Lectures on Children's Stories' (L. Kalelkar and Gijubhai) published in 1921. Publications like 'Chalangadi' and 'Vidyapith Vachanamala-Part 2' have sold around 2 lakh copies till date.
By publishing several glossaries including 'Sarth Jodnikosh', Gujarat Vidyapith has helped to serve Swabhasha as well as to make Swabhasha a medium of education.
Munishree Jinvijayji, Pt. Sukhlalji, Dharmananda Kausambi, Pt. Publications by eminent scholars like Bechardas Doshi, Rasiklal Parikh, Kaka Kalelkar, Maganbhai Desai have always been well received.
Gujarat Vidyapith also conducted 'Post Graduate Diploma Course' in 80's in collaboration with Navjeevan Prakashan Mandir.
Magazines like 'Vidyapith', 'Adivasi Gujarat', 'Lokjeevan', 'Vidyapith Setu' are also published here. Gujarat Vidyapith has a facility for the sale of institute publications. Publications of organizations like Gujarat Vidyapith, Navjeevan Prakashan Mandir and Yagya Prakashan can be purchased at attractive prices. Publications may also be available at book fairs, book exhibitions and other venues on special occasions.
Gujarat Vidyapith is planning to publish many other publications of research and public interest.
