School College Complex Activity & Jidnyasa

The college organises School -College- Complex Activity for school students appearing for Homi Bhabha Young Scientist Award for practical examination. A one-day activity on Wednesday, 3rd January 2024 from 8:30 am to 1:30 am, was held. Marathi and English medium selected students of standard 6th and 9th visited our college for explanation of laboratory experiments, slides, specimens, charts and models.

All the science department faculties, UG and PG students participated during the activity and performed experiments and gave demonstration for the practicals in the related subjects during the visit to the laboratories.

48 students in all from 11 different schools located between Kandivali to Dadar participated in this event from 8:30 am to 1:30 am. Their respective teachers were accompanied with them. The students as well as the teachers were got the opportunity to see the live demonstrations of some experiments.

Jidnyasa Hardware Lab & Programming Lab

The event "Jidnyasa" was organized by Chikitsak Samuha’s S.S. & L.S. Patkar College of Arts & Science and V.P.Varde College of Commerce & Economics for Marathi medium school students. It aimed to bridge the gap between academic knowledge and practical applications, particularly in the fields of hardware and programming.

The Practice:

1. Jidnyasa Hardware Lab:

- Presentation of projects such as the Power Saving Escalator and Smart Shoe.

- Explanation of the Power Saving Escalator's design, which utilizes ultrasonic sensors for energy conservation and provides real-time data feedback.

- Demonstration of the Smart Shoe, an IoT-based project highlighting its potential in health monitoring and daily life convenience.

2. Jidnyasa Software Lab:

- Showcase of projects including the Rock-Paper-Scissor with AI game, Dexter system, and Flappy Bird game.

- Description of the Rock-Paper-Scissor with AI game, where players compete against an AI opponent using hand gestures and database integration.

- Introduction of the Dexter system, integrating OpenAI's chatgpt with a desktop assistant for various tasks and interactions.

- Demonstration of the Flappy Bird game, a real-world version using Python and hand tracking with MediaPipe, emphasizing user engagement and interaction.

Senior Citizen Caring Service – Spreading Care, Compassion and Dignity

As part of its commitment to community service, Patkar–Varde College students actively participated in Senior Citizen Caring Service initiatives in collaboration with Vatsalya Drushti Foundation and Mercy John Memorial Old Age Home & Medical Care Centre, Mira Road (E).

Students prepared and served nutritious meals, assisted with household cleaning, and spent quality time with senior citizens, offering companionship and emotional support. Their efforts helped create a comfortable and caring environment while reducing the daily burden on the elderly.

During visits to the old age home, students also donated essential food supplies such as rice, biscuits, and cooking oil. Meaningful interactions with the residents, listening to their life experiences and sharing conversations, brought joy and warmth to both the elderly and the students. The initiative was a deeply enriching experience that fostered empathy, respect, and social responsibility among students while reaffirming the importance of caring for and valuing senior citizens in our society.

Food Donation Drive – Sharing Nourishment, Spreading Hope

In collaboration with Vatsalya Drushti Foundation, Patkar–Varde College organized a Food Donation Drive to support underprivileged families and individuals facing food insecurity. The initiative encouraged students, parents, and volunteers to contribute food items and freshly prepared meals, fostering a spirit of compassion and community service.

The drive received an enthusiastic response, with generous contributions collected, sorted, and distributed to those in need through the dedicated efforts of volunteers. By providing nutritious food and essential support, the initiative helped address immediate community needs while promoting the values of empathy, kindness, and social responsibility.

The Food Donation Drive served as a meaningful reminder that small acts of generosity can make a significant difference in the lives of others and inspire a more caring and inclusive society.

Skillful Netizen

In today's digital age, basic computer literacy is essential for everyday tasks such as communication, information access, and financial transactions. However, many senior citizens and housewives may lack the necessary skills to effectively use computers and the internet. The Skillful Netizen program aims to address this gap by offering tailored training sessions specifically designed for these demographics.

The Practice:

The Skillful Netizen program was conducted from 18th December 2023 to 23rd December 2023 at Computer Lab 7, Patkar Varde College. The program engaged a total of seven participants, consisting of senior citizens and housewives. Eight faculty members from the Information Technology and Computer Science departments facilitated the sessions.

Each day of the program focused on different topics, covering a range of essential digital skills:

- Introduction to computer basics, internet usage, and productivity tools (e.g., MS Word, MS Excel, Gmail, Google Drive).

- Hands-on practice with specific applications and platforms such as Excel, UTS app, online ticket booking, social media (e.g., Facebook, Instagram), and navigation tools like Google Maps.

- Guidance on online banking, password security, digital payments, and e-commerce (e.g., BHIM, PayTM, Google Pay, online shopping).

- A farewell ceremony was organized on the final day to felicitate participants with certificates and provide an opportunity for feedback and reflection.

JIDNYASA 2026 – Igniting Curiosity, Inspiring Careers

The Self-Financed Section of Sir Sitaram and Lady Shantabai Patkar College of Arts and Science and V. P. Varde College of Commerce & Economics, Goregaon (W), successfully organized “Jidnyasa 2026” on 24th January 2026. The annual outreach and career awareness programme aimed to introduce school students to diverse academic disciplines and career opportunities through interactive learning experiences.

The event commenced with a traditional lamp-lighting ceremony and Saraswati Vandana, graced by esteemed dignitaries including Mr. Sandip Sangve, Divisional Chairman of the Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education, Amravati Division; Dr. Gurunath Pandit, Secretary of Chikitsak Samuha; Dr. Mala Kharkar, Chief Education Officer of Patkar-Varde College; and Ms. Sanchita Gawde, Principal of Shirolkar High School.

The event witnessed enthusiastic participation from 181 participants, including 165 students and 16 teachers from various schools across Mumbai suburbs.

Students explored six academic domains like Hospitality & Catering, Commerce & Management, Microbiology & Biotechnology, Information Technology & Computer Science, Arts & Humanities, and Aviation. Through innovative models, demonstrations, games, experiments, and presentations, participants gained practical exposure to concepts ranging from hotel operations and financial literacy to biotechnology, diagnostics, robotics, cybersecurity, media studies, and aviation careers.

A major attraction of the event was the Science Exhibition, where students of Chikitsak Samuha’s Shirolkar School displayed 23 innovative projects on themes such as renewable energy, robotics, pollution control, mathematics, and scientific applications.

Jidnyasa 2026 successfully reflected the college’s commitment to nurturing young minds through experiential learning, creativity, and career awareness. The event concluded on a positive note, leaving students motivated and better informed about future educational and professional opportunities.

PATKARE – Donation Drive (Diwali Celebration)

On the occasion of Diwali, the Self-Finance Courses of Patkar–Varde College organized the PATKARE Donation Drive to spread joy and support underprivileged children. The initiative aimed to assist the Nanhe Haath Foundation, an NGO that supports nearly 100 students from two adopted Zilla Parishad schools by providing better educational facilities. The college community—including students, teaching staff, and non-teaching staff—responded enthusiastically by donating books, stationery, toys, clothes, footwear, school bags, and festive essentials such as diyas, lanterns, and decorative lights. All donated items were carefully sorted and packed for distribution.

The donations were formally handed over to Mrs. Sejal Shah, Coordinator In-Charge of Nanhe Haath Foundation, during NAVRANG 2025: Celebration of Colors, Compassion and Culture. The initiative reflected the values of compassion, generosity, and social responsibility, making the Diwali celebration truly meaningful.

Tree Plantation Drive – A Step Towards a Greener Future

As part of its Institutional Social Responsibility (ISR) initiative, Patkar–Varde College organized a Tree Plantation Drive in collaboration with the Nanhe Hath Foundation to promote environmental sustainability and ecological awareness among students. The activity witnessed enthusiastic participation from students, who planted saplings of neem, mango, gulmohar, and other native trees. The programme began with an awareness session highlighting the importance of trees in maintaining ecological balance, improving air quality, and combating climate change.

Students actively engaged in planting and nurturing the saplings under the guidance of faculty members and volunteers. The initiative not only contributed to creating greener surroundings but also fostered a sense of environmental responsibility among participants. The Tree Plantation Drive served as a meaningful step towards environmental conservation, inspiring students to adopt sustainable practices and become responsible stewards of nature.