Bharat Ratna Maharshi Dhondo Keshav Karve
(18 April 1858 – 09 November 1962)
Founder – Maharshi Karve Stree Shikshan Samstha
Maharshi Karve Stree Shikshan Samstha (MKSSS) was established in 1896 by Bharat Ratna Maharshi Dhondo Keshav Karve, to provide education to women and make them self-reliant. MKSSS aims at “Empowerment of Women through Education” as Maharshi Karve believed that “Women’s Education and National Development are complementary to each other.
In the beginning, he started the “AnathBalikashram”, with an objective to provide education to child widows. The AnathBalikashram started functioning from 14thJune 1896. The first building of the institution was a tiny hut constructed on a small piece of land in Hingne, at a distance of about 4 km, from Pune. In the beginning, only 4 girls were admitted and started taking education in this ‘Kutir’ (hut).
With its headquarters at Karvenagar, Pune, MKSSS today manages a vast network of educational institutions — from pre-primary schools to postgraduate and professional colleges —offering quality education in diverse fields such as Engineering, Computer Applications,Architecture, Management, Vocational Training, Nursing, Fashion Design and more.
MKSSS currently runs 74 educational units all over Maharashtra, catering to the educational needs of over 32000 girls in Pune, Satara, Wai, Nagpur, Ratnagiri and Kamshet. The USP of these units is the fact that they render education exclusively to girls.
Rooted in traditional Indian values yet attuned to modern global needs, the Samstha strives to provide holistic development for women through value-based education, skill enhancement, and social responsibility. Its institutions have earned a reputation for academic excellence, discipline, and commitment to nation-building.
MKSSS continues to carry forward MaharshiKarve’s timeless mission — to transform lives through education, promote gender equality, and contribute meaningfully to the progress of society.