Late Mr. Manohar D. Jambhekar was the Founder and Chairman of the City Pride Group of Schools, and a visionary educationist, social reformer and institution builder.
In 1963 he established an ITI and Basic Training Centre under the Apprentices Act, 1961 — the first training centre of its kind in India. It received national recognition when Mr. Abdul Kadir, Director General of Employment and Training, visited it in 1965.
A pioneer in higher education and social service, he founded the College of Physiotherapy in Maharashtra in 1992, becoming the first to establish such an institution through an NGO, serving as its Founder Chairman and Managing Trustee.
He was also President of the Kokan Women & Youth’s Development Society (KOWAS), Chiplun, which runs a government-recognised school for children with special needs — reflecting a deep commitment to inclusive education.
Institutions he chaired
- IICMR — Institute of Industrial & Computer Management & Research, offering MCA, MCM and ADCA programmes affiliated to the University of Pune.
- Institute of Computer & Electronic Engineering — DTE-recognised technical courses.
- ATSS Computer Centre — DOEACC ‘O’ and ‘A’ Level programmes, CAD-CAM and vocational training.
- College of Fine Arts & Design — government-recognised programmes in arts and design.
Beyond education he was an active community leader, serving twice as President of the Rotary Club of Pimpri (1986–87 and 1991–92). An author and thinker, he wrote RUDRA — Rural & Urban Development Research Action, setting out his vision for sustainable social and educational development.
His contributions to education and social welfare continue to shape every City Pride campus, including ours at Pradhikaran.
Last updated 18 August 2026