Shri K. J. Somaiya
Somaiya Vidyavihar was founded in 1959 by Padmabhushan (late) Shri K. J. Somaiya with the aim of creating great citizens of India. Those that know how to make a living, and more importantly, also know how to live.
Message from founder
Somaiya Vidyavihar started as a College of Arts and Commerce with 25 faculty and 600 students in 1960. Shri K. J. Somaiya worked tirelessly to expand the college, adding a College of Science, a Vocational institute, a College of Education, a College of Engineering, a College of Management Studies, and other institutions within and outside Mumbai.
In 1991, he founded Somaiya Ayurvihar, an institution for medical care and training. Shri Somaiya also started a 500 bed hospital delivering subsidized care for the poor citizens of Mumbai. This was attached to a Medical College which he built as well. Schools of Nursing and Physiotherapy were subsequently added to the activities managed by Somaiya Ayurvihar.
The legacy was further continued by Dr. S. K. Somaiya, his son, who brought in the K. J. Somaiya Bharatiya Sanskriti Peetham, The K. J. Somaiya Centre for Buddhist Studies, and The K. J, Somaiya Centre for Jainsim. He introduced the tradition and study of inter-faith dialogue, study and exchange. There is a continuing dialogue between all major religions on our campus.