IN THE joint meeting on Monday, Executive Committee and the Board of Trustees of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan unanimously elected former Governor of Punjab Banwarilal Purohit as President of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan and Deepak Parekh as Vice-President. The elections were held following the acceptance of the resignation of Surendralal Mehta as President on health grounds. The Executive Committee and Board of Trustees also appreciated distinguished and selfless service of Mehta for over five decades, including his exemplary leadership as President during the last two decades. Banwarilal Purohit, who has served as a Trustee and Member of Executive Committee of the Bhavan for about 22 years and its Vice President for more than a decade, is a distinguished public figure, parliamentarian and administrator who has rendered notable service to the nation in various capacities.

 

He has served as Governor of Punjab and Administrator of Chandigarh and has also served as Governor of Tamil Nadu¸ Assam and Meghalaya. A former Member of Parliament and a respected public leader, Purohit is widely known for his commitment to education, social development and national values. His long association with public life, combined with his dedication to cultural and educational causes, will greatly strengthen the Bhavan’s mission of promoting India’s timeless values through education and culture. Deepak Parekh is one of India’s most respected corporate leaders and financial sector visionaries.

 

Former Chairman of HDFC Ltd., he played a transformative role in the development of India’s housing finance sector and has contributed significantly to the country’s economic growth and institution-building. Known for his integrity, wisdom and statesmanship, Parekh has served on numerous national and international bodies and has been a trusted voice on matters of public policy and governance. As a Trustee and Member of the Executive Committee of the Bhavan, he has been closely associated with the institution's activities and growth. Parekh is successfully heading the Governing Council of the Bhavan’s SPJIMR as its Chairman since the past decade, one of the premier business schools of the country.

 

Founded in 1938 by Kulapati Dr K M Munshi, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan is one of India’s foremost educational and cultural institutions, with a network of educational institutions, centres and cultural activities spread across India and abroad. Guided by its motto, “Let Noble Thoughts Come to Us from Every Side,” the Bhavan continues to work towards the dissemination of knowledge, culture, values and national integration. The Bhavan looks forward to benefiting from the guidance and leadership of Banwarilal Purohit and Deepak Parekh as it advances its mission of value-based education and cultural enrichment.