Vijay Gawde

If I say, teaching is my passion it will not be wrong. I remember, when I was in class four, my friends and I would enjoy playing pretend school. In that pretend play, I always preferred to be a teacher and loved to depict that role. Since then I dreamed to be a teacher in my life.

I completed my primary education from a Municipal School and thereafter from Technical High School. I stood first in school scholarship exams in standard fourth and standard seventh. I even got admission in Bhagubhai Polytechnic for Mechanical Diploma but due financial constraints, I had to leave that as an option and pursue B.Com. I did my B. Com from Chetana College. During my college days, I was not only good in academics but also did well in extra-curricular activities and won many prizes in inter-collegiate competitions such as elocution, debate, rangoli, poetry recitation, storytelling, etc. I was an active member of Students’ Council. I have attended Sate level students’ Marathi literary conferences which gave me opportunities to meet and interact with my favourite Marathi Poet and Writers like Mr. Mangesh Padagaonkar, Mr. D. M. Mirasdar, etc. I was awarded with “Best All Rounder Award” in my final year. It helped me develop important qualities like confidence, public speaking, teamwork, dedication, and co-ordination. As I am fond of dancing and acting, I have acted in 3 Marathi dramas in theatre and participated in few dance programmes.

I believe in the concept of Earn while learn, which I adopted at the age of 10. During my summer vacation, I used to engage myself in menial jobs like door to door selling of clothes, vegetables, etc. At times I used to work in a factory too. I started teaching in coaching classes right after completing my schooling and continued it along with working in a CA firm after graduation. I completed M.Com. from Mumbai University. I refused the proposal to work in Johnson & Johnson Company due to my inclination towards teaching.

My mother plays a vital role in my life. She was the sole earner in my family. Inspite of my father’s drinking habit and hardships faced she never gave up and let my education get affected in anyway. Her strong and optimistic attitude to give us a better life kept her going. However, my father gave up on his drinking habit in the year 2004 and that’s when our family started to live as a happy and contented family. It is from my mother that I have imbibed the qualities of being strong, positive and optimistic.

I commenced my career in teaching, as a visiting lecturer in June 2004. I taught students of both English and Marathi medium, in day and night colleges. I also taught working executives pursuing MBA programme in S.M.U. for around 6 years. Adding to my teaching experience, I would like to mention that I have taught prisoners for 2 years in Thane Central Jail taking it up as an activity to contribute towards the society. This brought versatility in my teaching.

It was in June 2008 that I joined VSIT, as a lecturer. After 2 years in VSIT, the former Principal Dr. Ajit Naik appointed me as the Course Coordinator. In the college, I have led committees like Student Council, Anti ragging, etc. In the year 2010, first time ever in VSIT an intercollegiate fest named “Vigour” was organised by BMS students. Since then this fest is conducted annually, with students’ participation from various colleges increasing with each passing year. In the year 2009, I formed a NSS unit in VSIT with an aim to make holistic development of students through community work. Working for and with NSS unit has an impact on me as well. It has improved my personality a lot. Our NSS volunteers are always ready to serve the community whenever required. I was awarded as the “Best NSS Program Office” for the year 2016-17 and our college as “Best NSS Unit” by the University of Mumbai. In 2012, I initiated an idea of research paper competition for students called “V-Search”, which is still continued and is taken up by the R& D committee every year.

Currently, I am honoured to be the Vice Principal of VSIT. Our Management and Principal Dr. Rohini Kelkar have always stood by me in all the initiatives taken up by me in the college, which boosts my confidence and enthusiasm and motivates me to continue working towards the success of the students.