Pune University emblem turns 61

“The university was officially established on February 10,1949. The year of establishment on the logo is 1948 and not 1949. Barrister M R Jaykar was the first vice-chancellor,” said Raja Dixit,professor and head,inter-disciplinary School in Humanitarian and Social Science,UoP.

‘Yaa Kriyavaan Sa Pandit’,the motto of the university inscribed at the bottom of the emblem means “Where Actions Prove Knowledge.”

The historic Shaniwarwada,the palace of the Peshwa rulers of the Maratha empire,stands at the centre of the emblem. At the bottom corners of the emblem is the Raigad Fort and the famous Parvati Temple,both encircled. Between these circles are two crossed-swords,heads of elephants and pens.

In Marathi book Pune Vidyapeethacha Itihaas by Dixit launched by the university in 1999 at university’s golden jubilee celebration,he has given information about the emblem.

“The logo was designed by Madhav Parshuram Dixit,who was a student then. It was approved as an official logo by the executive council of the university later,” said Dixit elaborating that the word ‘Kriyavaan’ on the logo means one who is engrossed in creative action and ‘Pandit’ is someone who contributes to the well being of society.

The iconic symbol has two horses standing on their hind legs holding an open book (in which Shaniwarwada is shown). The words ‘University of Pune’ is inscribed on it and the year of establishment is given as 1948. There is also the Hindu symbol swastik at one corner. The left half of the emblem is almost an exact mirror image of the right half.

Today,the university has more than 500 affiliated colleges and around 300 recognised institutions across three districts,Pune,Nashik and Ahmednagar.