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Indian Express
16 hours ago
- Indian Express
3,400 offer letters against 135 seats: VNSGU issues penalty notice of Rs 3.62 lakh to society running MTB Arts College
The Veer Narmad South Gujarat University (VNSGU) on Wednesday served a penalty notice of Rs 3.62 lakh to Sarvajanik Education Society, which runs MTB Arts College, for issuing around 3,400 call (offer) letters to students against 135 vacant seats for BA first year admissions. ABVP members had a few days ago held the college principal — who was later removed from the post — hostage in his own office to mark their protest over the issue. The South Gujarat College Teachers Association had condemned the incident. On July 10, a large number of students were in the pipeline for first-year undergraduate admissions in the Arts stream at MTB Arts College. However, on receiving call letters from the college, when these students learnt that there were only 135 seats left, they protested. Leaders and members of the ABVP's Surat unit subsequently reached the spot and joined the students in their protest. The ABVP also handed a memorandum to the college in-charge principal and VNSGU Vice-Chancellor Dr K N Chavda and urged him to take action against the college authorities for the 'mistake'. After receiving notice from the VNSGU, Dr Rudresh Vyas, who was the in-charge principal of MTB Arts College, said that the 'technical mistake' was made by college clerk Sagar Rana, who had issued over 3,400 call letters to students while only 135 seats were available. ABVP leaders in Surat held a protest on Sunday again and entered the office of then Principal Vyas on the college campus. Vyas was allegedly held hostage for eight hours and was not allowed to take his medicines. Vyas later submitted a written complaint at Umra police station against the ABVP members, after which the police launched a probe. Umra Police Inspector J A Rathwa said, 'We have started a probe in the matter and are trying to identify those who had entered the principal's office with the help of a video of the incident that had gone viral.' Chairman of the Sarvajanik Education Society, Bharat Shah, said: 'After the issue came into light, we issued a notice to the in-charge principal Dr Rudresh Vyas. He responded that the mistake was made by a clerk and distanced himself from all responsibilities. We have removed him from the post of in-charge principal of MTB Arts college, but he will still serve as professor with the grant-in-aid college, which is affiliated to VNSGU.' He further said, 'We have written a letter to the VNSGU stating that the college is run by an education society, which cannot bear such a heavy penalty amount, and so it should be waived. We are running over 12 colleges, which have thousands of students. The act done by the ABVP is unpardonable, and it is unethical to hold an in-charge college principal hostage in his own office. We also want the police to take strict legal actions against the the ABVP members involved in the incident.' South Gujarat College Teachers Association president Ajay Naik said, 'We condemn the incident, which saw Dr Rudresh Vyas being held hostage by ABVP members for eight hours and not being allowed to take his medicines of diabetes. Legal actions should be taken against those involved in such an act.' When contacted, Vyas refused to comment on the issue.
Time of India
16-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Garba deal backfires: VNSGU withdraws 62.5L lease amid uproar
Surat: Veer Narmad South Gujarat University (VNSGU) vice-chancellor Kishorsinh Chavda has withdrawn the controversial decision to lease the university's 14.72-acre ground to Yashwi Entertainment for Navratri celebrations. The ground was rented for Rs 62.5 lakh without issuing a public tender or following due govt procedures. The leasing process was carried out quietly, with no prior announcement regarding the university's new standard operating procedure (SOP) for renting out the ground. The university informed about the lease resolution only last month, and Yashwi Entertainment promptly paid the full amount. The move sparked controversy over the low rental value and procedural lapses, leading to allegations of corruption. The VNSGU campus was placed under tight security on Wednesday after Congress and NSUI lodged complaints and announced protests. Amid growing pressure and a heavy police presence, the vice-chancellor cancelled the lease. The decision was also reportedly influenced by potential legal consequences. The land was originally acquired from a farmer strictly for educational purposes. Following complaints to the collector's office and the higher education department, the VC received a reprimand and was instructed to cancel the deal immediately. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo When asked how only one company was aware of the SOP, Chavda told TOI: "We followed due process to frame rules in the executive council and board of management. After the SOP was made, Yashwi Entertainment somehow came to know about it and approached us." The university had cited the lease as a revenue source to meet salary and operational expenses. However, questions were raised about its spending priorities, as VNSGU has reportedly spent lakhs on non-academic festivals over the years.
Time of India
15-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Short of funds, VNSGU leases out ground without tender
Surat: Veer Narmad South Gujarat University (VNSGU) has leased out its 14.72-acre ground for Rs 62.50 lakh to a private entertainment group to organize garbas for ten days this Navratri. The university said it made this decision owing to a shortfall of funds and aimed to generate revenue from its properties. VNSGU implemented a policy that permits leasing the ground for garbas without tenders. VNSGU vice-chancellor Dr Kishorsinh Chavda told TOI, "We have 600 non-teaching and 120 contracted teaching and temporary staff whom we pay from our own funds. As govt does not pay their salaries, we must look for alternative revenue. We cannot raise fees to meet these expenses. The price of labour has also doubled, and we now pay labourers Rs 500 a day. Water, electricity, security and housekeeping expenses have also increased manyfold. We thought about leasing our properties. We framed a standard operating procedure based on which we gave the contract to the first person who came forward. We may go for tenders to lease out the ground from next year." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Why seniors are rushing to get this Internet box – here's why! Techno Mag Learn More Undo Under the agreement, the 14.72-acre ground opposite the VNSGU main building has been leased to Yashwi Entertainment Group for Rs 2.5 lakh per day for 10 days (Rs 25 lakh) for Navratri garbas. Additionally, Rs 37.50 lakh has been charged for the pre-Navratri days for preparation. Chavda added that the govt does not give universities funds for maintenance and other expenses, compelling them to create their own revenue streams to cover these. "We will ensure that our students in hostels are not disturbed through such events," said Chavda.
Time of India
27-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
VNSGU students get 3 design patents
Surat: Students at Veer Narmad South Gujarat University (VNSGU) have been granted three more patents for their designs. These come after guidance from VNSGU's incubation centre and its student startup and innovation policy (SSIP). Of the three patents, two have been granted to students of the interior design department, while one went to a student of the information and communication technology (ICT) department. The product designs that have received patents are a courtyard chair, a Moroccan light and s six-wheel chain rover. The courtyard chair was developed by third-year student Jaydeep Makwana under the guidance of Ankit Changawala, Ajay Mistry and R Nilkanth Burkhawala. "I made a chair which comes in parts and can be easily fitted together when you want to relax. You are easily dismantled when you do not want to use the chair and save space. You can store the parts in a small box," said Makwana. Shreya Faganiya, who completed her Bachelor of International Design degree recently, received a patent for the Moroccan light. She developed it under the guidance of Ankit Changawala and Snehal Patel. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 기미 잡티, 시중 제품에 속지마세요 두아이연구원 Undo Faganiya said: "Normal Moroccan lights cast a big shadow on the walls, which is loud sometimes. Many times, this light throws a bold shape on the wall or tile. To avoid this, I used a partially opaque sheet inside the light, so the shadow has a calm and relaxing feel. I used brass all over to give it a luxury look. Users will also be able to easily change the bulb." The third patent was granted for the six-wheel chain rover to Komal Tomar, Rutika Sinha and Krisha Sheth under the guidance of Dr Hitesh Lad of the ICT department. Dr Lad told TOI: "Our device will identify the crop and cut the weeds out of it. The device is small and can be useful even if there is a small space between two rows of crops. It will save on labour costs. At present, we have used a camera in the device, but we will replace it with a sensor soon. We will also look for a product patent in the future."
Time of India
22-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
VNSGU student wins patent for innovative ‘hanging light'
Surat: What began as a classroom assignment has now earned a Veer Narmad South Gujarat University (VNSGU) student a design patent. Prem Bardoliwala, a recent graduate in interior designing, has been granted a design patent by the Government of India for his innovative creation — the 'Hanging Light'. The idea was born not in a lab or studio, but during a trip to Rajasthan where he observed carpet weavers squinting under poor lighting. Bardoliwala, then a fifth-semester student, was struck by how the lack of proper lighting hindered the intricate work of traditional artisans. "They needed focused, flexible lighting, something they didn't have," he told TOI. At the same time, a classroom project had him surveying lighting setups in Surat's bustling Chauta Bazar, where he noticed how vendors creatively adjusted their lighting in cramped spaces. Combining insights from both worlds, he came up with what he calls a 'Hook Solution,' a versatile, movable light inspired by everyday clothes hangers. Bardoliwala filed the patent jointly with VNSGU and his mentors, professors Ankit Changawala and Snehal Patel, who guided him through the design process. The patented hanging light has a smart bulb, making it adaptable for various settings — from office desks and dining tables to labor-intensive workplaces where directed, adjustable lighting is crucial. "Different kinds of bulbs can be used depending on the requirement," Bardoliwala said, adding that the light's utility lies in its ability to deliver focused illumination wherever it's needed most. The Patent Office officially issued the Certificate of Registration of Design last week to the young innovator.
