Shree R. F. Daboo Education Society was established with the aim of fostering educational growth in the tribal region of Vyara, Gujarat. Over the years, the society has nurtured the institution now known as “R. P. Chauhan Arts and Smt. J. K. Shah and Shree K. D. Shah Commerce College, Vyara,” which is affiliated with Veer Narmad South Gujarat University, Surat. The college’s mission is to disseminate knowledge while preserving tribal culture.

Founded in 1972, the college initially had 250 students. Today, it has grown into a prominent academic center in the Tapi district, catering to over 2,000 students, with around 85% of them belonging to the tribal community. The campus, spread across 7.03 acres, offers a variety of subjects in Arts and Commerce streams, along with post-graduate courses in English, Gujarati, and Commerce.

The college library is considered one of the richest in the university, housing approximately 38,000 books and audio-visual aids. It also provides ample opportunities for sports enthusiasts with facilities for cricket, volleyball, kho-kho, kabaddi, badminton, carom, table tennis, and a state-of-the-art gymnasium. The college is known for its rich tribal heritage, showcased through tribal dances, rituals, and crafts.

In 1980, the institution established the “Institute of Tribal and Rural Development and Research” to promote society-oriented research activities. The research center has played a significant role in preserving tribal language and literature, with 13 valuable publications, some of which have received prestigious awards from Gujarat Sahitya Akademi and Gujarati Sahitya Parishad.

The college has achieved several academic milestones, including being awarded the “Best College” by the Government of Gujarat in 1983-84. It was also the first college in Veer Narmad South Gujarat University to establish a Language Laboratory in 1981-82 and introduce postgraduate courses in English in 1992-93, Computer Application, and Marketing at undergraduate levels. In 2000, the Babasaheb Ambedkar Open University Cell was initiated, followed by the launch of a self-financed BCA program in 2001-02. The Tribal Museum was started in 2007-08, and new certificate courses were introduced in 2021-22, along with Sociology and M.Com. PG Centers.

Shri R. F. Daboo Education Society

Smt. R. P. Chauhan Arts and Smt. J. K. Shah and Shri K. D. Shah Commerce College, Vyara Dist. Tapi 394650

Society Profile:

The eastern strip pf Gujarat is marked by dense hilly forests bestowed with proliferation of flora and fauna. The region is also distinguished by its tribal culture and typical historical traditions. Vyara is one of the major towns of the region. It may be considered as the Eastern Gate of Gujarat.

Shree R. F. Daboo Education Society was incorporated to ignite educational activities in this otherwise rich region. The strength and capabilities of the society ultimately carved out the institution known as “ Smt. R. P. Chauhan Arts and Smt. J. K. Shah and Shri K. D. Shah Commerce College, Vyara” . With an explicit social objective of ushering educational and cultural values in the region, Shree R. F. Daboo Education Society initiated its social activities in 1944 A.D. by establishing Shri J. B. & S. A. Sarvajanik High School at Vyara. Both on account of its incessant progress and spread of general social awareness about education, that this institution, with initial strength of hardly 200 students has today emerged as one of the best schools in the region, both in terms of numbers of students and quality of education it imparts.

After independence, following overall increased urge for education, the society felt necessity for another school consequently, the cooperative efforts of donors, prestigious leaders of the town and other citizens resulted in the establishment of an another school named “Smt K.K. Kadam Kanya Vidyalaya” in 1961. This school for girls had the initial strength of 400 girls, which gradually increased to earn it the place of significance both in relation to strength and credit, among its counter parts in the region.

Since 1963 the society has a genuine concern for the facility of primary education in the region. This concern of the society found its expression in substantial form in the year 1964 with initiation of “ Shri Khushaldas M. Gandhi Pimary School”. This tiny institution with four classes and above 150 students in its initial year has now grown into giant institution.

Despite commendable progress and achievement of higher values in the field of primary and secondary education through incessant efforts, since 1944, an important link in the field of Higher Education was missing in the region. The society was conscious about the difficulties and hurdles being faced by the students who were desirous to achieve higher education. It was Herculean task to find out monetary and other resources for higher education in this backward region dominated mainly by tribal and economically weaker sections. In 1970 a scheme for higher education in the area was designed, which was welcomed with overwhelming zeal and enthusiasm by the people in town and surrounding areas. Ultimately, the cooperation from different quarters of the society translated this scheme into reality in form of an institution catering the need of higher education in the region.

The continuous flow of donations enabled the society to erect physical infrastructure for the college very rapidly. The land at Paniyari village, popularly known as “Second Mission” became availed to the society for college building at nominal price of Rs. 50,000=00. As there was a mild suggestion to do so from the donors, the institution was christened as “Smt. R. P. Chauhan Arts & Smt. J. K. Shah and Shri K. D. Shah Commerce College”. There were generous donations of Rs. 51,000=00 from Shri Jagatsinh Chauhan in memory of his mother and of Rs. 51,000=00 from Kanchanlal Dahyabhai Shah and his wife Smt. Jyavantiben. The sum of Rs. 51,000=00 and Rs.31, 000=00 were donated by Shri Sakarchand Talakchand Shah in memory of late Shri Chimanlal Khumchand Shah and by the firm of Laxmichand Bhagaji respectively. Moreover, frequent financial assistance from directors of “Central Pulp Mills”, Songadh and other donors have also contributed much to the establishment of the institution. ‘Nagar Panchayat Vyara’ and ‘Shri Vyara Kanpura Vidut Sahkari Mandli’ have often extended financial assistance to this institution.

On the auspicious day of 3^rd October 1971, Shri Harshadbhai Shah performed the inception ceremony of the college. The foundation stone for the college was laid down by Shree M.S. Parkhe, the then Managing Director of Central Pulp Mills, Songadh on 28^th November 1971. The college was formally inaugurated on 24the December 1972 by Shri Dahyabhai Patel. On this occasion, Shri Dahyabhai Patel and Dhanjibhai Patel declared donations of Rs. 25,000=00 and Rs. 11,000=00 respectively. The college started its activities under the able leadership of Prin. R. C. Shukla—the energetic person, dedicated solely to the academic upliftment of the students of this region. The institution is benefited much from his long service of 32 years.   

To keep the pace with the wind of change that influenced the structure of secondary education in Gujarat, the society started higher secondary wings at Shri J. B. & S.A. Sarvajanik High School, which imparts education, both in general and science streams. In view of the increasing demand for education through English as medium of instruction, the society launched Shree K. B. Patel English Medium School. Starting with primary education, facility was gradually extended up to the secondary and higher secondary level.

The latest gems in the crown of the society are ‘Kusum Jayesh Bhulka Bhawan’,nursing little kids for the modern age and ‘Anila-Suresh Primary and M.P.Patel Secondary School, equipped with all modern facilities. An attempt was also made by the society to fill the gap in the field of medical education by going for the College fo Homeopathy but the project was shortly dropped due to some technical intricacies. However, the society is indirectly active in the field of healthcare services since it manages two major hospitals founded through public fund, collected in memory of Shri. Janakbhai C. Shah, who was a leading advocate and social worker in the area, was for many years the only hospital in the region serving the tribal community. The hospital today can claim of using the absolutely latest technology in the field of health care services.

Since its formation Shri R. F. Daboo Education Society has made incessant progress under the guidance of enthusiastic and dedicated members of the board of trustees.