July 11, 1919 was a landmark day in the annals of Kanpur. The foundation of D.A-V. College was laid amidst the chanting of Vedic incantations by the most revered Mahatma Hansraj Ji, a great educator, sage, and leader of the Arya Samaj Movement. He had been the founder of several educational Institutions in Punjab and Delhi. His presence in the city of the Ganges blessed all of us and opened a new horizon of education in the city. His thrust was on sacrifice, self help and economy. With his visionary prowess he led us along the path to inextinguishable glory.
The founder principal of the college, Lala Diwan Chand, a renowned scholar. Educationist, social reformer and a great freedom fighter, always led the college from the front. His inspiration was a boost for the people associated with this noble cause of education. Since the inception of the college he strove untiringly to provide quality education for young people. His primary concern was to send both successful students and responsible citizens back to society. As a result of his uncompromising endeavour, the college has produced successful administrators, great academicians, famous artists, politicians and sports people who have brought laurels to the alma mater.
D.A-V. College has contributed immensely to the freedom struggle. It has had a tradition of imbibing love for the nation among its students. During the freedom struggle The college hostel was the nerve center of patriotic activities.Our students played a pivotal role in creating national awakening in society by participating in the movement actively. Late Shiv Verma, Shri Surendra Pandey, Jaidev Kapoor and Mahadev Singh were students of the college and were tried for the famous Kakori Case. The great martyr Pt. Saligram Shukla, whose statue graces the campus, set an example for others to follow.
The patriotic fervor got a boost in 1928 by the memorable visit of Mahatma Gandhi. The students participated and associated in the movement led by Gandhiji with high spirits. It was amazing to see the sea of students that gathered to listen to Gandhiji, who addressed them at the wee hours of the morning. That was a sign of the patriotic fervor which ran in the veins of the D.A-Vians. The Mahatma’s speech infused an inextinguishable patriotic fervor among the youth and taught them that patriots don’t talk about taking life but of giving life for their country and that patriotism is like a needle that joins and unites and not a scissor that cuts and divides.
The contributions of Rai Bahadur Anand Swaroop, Dr. Brijendra Swaroop, Shri Jawahar Lal Rohtagi, Shri Chirasen, Shri Devendra Swaroop and Dr. Virendra Swaroop cannot be a thing of the past. Their dynamic leadership enabled the college to attain a special place in the whole of North India. These missionaries of enlightenment firmly believed in the dictum that true education could alone form the sound basis of national awakening. The founders of the college were inspired by the teachings of Arya Samaj, but at the same time, they were aware of their responsibility towards the building of the nation.
During the post- independence period, there was a gradual increase in the number of Indian children who attended college. There was a need to cater to their academic aspirations. This promoted greater opportunities within the wider society and led Dr. Virendra Swarup to play a vital role in promoting the cause of education in the province. As the torch bearer of mission education in Uttar Pradesh, Dr. Virendra Swarup laid great importance on education and strove relentlessly to improve the standard of education by establishing educational institutions throughout Uttar Pradesh.
D.A-V. College has been made proud by its illustrious alumni who have won accolades for their alma mater in all walks of life. A name to reckon with in the league of great alumni is that of our former Prime Minister Sri Atal Behari Vajpayee. True to his name, Atalji is an eminent national leader, an erudite politician, a selfless social worker, forceful orator, poet and litterateur, journalist and indeed a multi-faceted personality. Atalji articulates the aspirations of the masses… his works ever echo total commitment to nationalism. He is the true paradigm of a charismatic leader who infected his workforce with the will and motivation to get the task done.
Great minds are the result of great ideas, and great ideas are the result of the company of great books. To infuse path-breaking ideas the Anand Swarup Library was established in 1919.Since been it has been igniting and enlightening young minds by moulding them to take up the responsibility of the society they live in. It has acted as a source of entertainment and education for youngsters as well as adults. It has not only helped to inculcate the habit of reading but also inculcated a thirst for knowledge, which makes a person humble and open to new ideas throughout his/her life.
Decades have passed by since its inception, but D.A-V College stands firm in its faith and mission. The college has shown tremendous potential for integrating the components necessary for success in work and life. Adopting knowledge management as a core discipline it has transformed into a center in which rapid learning and innovation are both practiced and taught on an ongoing basis.
Since assuming charge as Secretary, Board of Management, Dr. Nagendra Swarup has led the college by his inspirational leadership. He has also been awarded Gold Medal by The Indian Science Congress Association for his contribution to the cause of higher education. Dr. Swarup actively seeks resources to support the mission and goals of the institution; s ecure funding to ensure scholarship and creative endeavors by faculty and staff; provide leadership to facilitate the institution’s achievement of its mission and vision. Dr. Swarup has also successfully led the college team in obtaining B++ grade by NAAC. Under his leadership the college has scaled new heights and will continue to do so.
Address:
Civil Lines,
Kanpur,
Uttar Pradesh 208001
Phone:094543 45001