SHREEMATI NATHIBAI DAMODAR THACKERSEY WOMEN'S UNIVERSITY

SHREEMATI NATHIBAI DAMODAR THACKERSEY WOMEN'S UNIVERSITY

Shreemati Nathibai Damodar Thackersey Women's University (SNDTWU) orSNDT Women’s University is the first Women’s university in India as well as in Southeast Asia. The university was founded by Maharshi Dr. Dhondo Keshav Karve in 1916 for women’s education and the first five women graduated in 1921 from this university. The motto of the university is ‘An Enlightened Woman is a Source of Infinite Strength’. SNDTWU is a home to one thousand and one hundred teaching and non-teaching staff members and fifty thousand students spread across seven states and a union territory. The emblem of the university has two major circular elements of which, one is with the circular eight petalled lotus motif with its original name; its motto in Sanskrit ‘संस्कृता स्त्री पराशक्तिः’ and the image of Goddess Saraswati the God for Learning, writing on a palm, seated on a pedestal supported by a lotus. The emblem has eight lotuses in different forms as lotus is the symbol of purity, enlightenment, rebirth, transformation, personal growth, resilience, overcoming obstacles and divine beauty. The other element consists of a portrait of the founder in a blue circle and circumscribed by its name. At the bottom, on a banner ‘Estb: 1916’ is written. Both the circles are connected at the bottom by a swoosh made up by ten growing stars indicating its century old legacy. The colour blue denotes serenity, calmness, trust, spirituality, calmness, wisdom, freedom, openness, intelligence and loyalty. The emblem is traditional, projects strength and leadership by its look and feel.