Dr. Bapuji Salunkhe alias Govindrao Dnyanojirao Salunkhe, the great visionary educationlist founded Shri Swami Vivekanand Shikshan Sanstha, Kolhapur in 1954 which is catering to the education needs of students belonging to 11 districts of the State of Maharashtra. Presently, it is functioning through its 330 educational and cultural centers which include 170 high schools, 8 training colleges, 18 arts, commerce and science colleges, 66 junior colleges, 3 B.Ed colleges, one law college, multipurpose high schools, 19 hostels, and one asharamashala (residential school). Most of these education centers are situated in the rural, backward, hilly, drought-hit and remote parts of the state of Maharashtra. Nearly, more than two lakhs of students are receiving their lessons in the Sanstha’s different centres. All these centres of the Sanstha are manned with well-qualified, experienced and dedicated faculty, administrative and menial staff . Dr. Bapuji’s dedicated work, great service to the downtrodden and poor communities of the society is rewarded by the Government of Maharashtra by awarding him with the title “Dalit Mitra”. Shivaji University, Kolhapur conferred on him the degree of D.Litt. The people awarded him with the title “Shikshanmaharshi” for his yeoman’s efforts an pioneering work in the field of education . Swami Vivekananda is a role model of India Culture. He is a representative of truth, character, glory, sacrifice, devotion, generosity, anticipation and hard work . This education trust works respecting the philosophy and teachings of the great Saint Shri Swami Vivekananda. So this institution is named after him. It is Shri Swami Vivekananda Shikshan Sanstha, Kolhapur(Maharashtra), India.

Bapuji’s Philosophy of Education :

Dr.Bapuji, who worked with the missionary zeal, determined the motto of the sanstha. It means “Spread of Education for the Propagation of Knowledge, Achievement and Culture”, It stresses the seeking of knowledge and its proper application so that man can become cultured and morally sound . The prayer of the sanstha states that all great saints of the world are the incarnation of good and god. They have the power of enlightening the mankind. The principles by which the cultured man must live are truth, morality, character, honesty, sacrifice and expulsion of exploitation. The man who practices these principles in his life, he no doubt gets real knowledge and intellectual rapture. This is the firm faith of Dr.Bapuji Salunkhe.