HAL PRAVARA: WHERE DREAMS SOAR

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)-Pravara Aviation Institute, Ojhar, Nashik, was set up through an MoU as part of HAL’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Pravara Rural Education Society’s (PRES’) urge to spread quality education in aviation.

HAL Pravara Aviation Institute is approved by DGCA, Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of India under the criteria of CAR-147 (Basic) to impart training of Aircraft Maintenance Engineering in B.1.1 (Aero plane with Turbine Engine) and B2 (Avionics Stream) and also Affiliated to University of Mumbai for B.Sc. Aeronautics Course.

The Institute is located at HAL, Nashik Division Premises. HAL-Pravara Aviation Institute is equipped with well-furnished infrastructure, and reputed Practical Labs as per the requirements of DGCA along with Lab support of HAL, Aircraft Division, Nashik.

The keel of Pravara Rural Education Society was laid by founder Chairman Padmashri Vikhe Patil in the year 1964. Pravara Rural Education Society is widely recognized as Rural India’s novel Education Society. Today it has blossomed into an ultra-modern and multidimensional education complex. It was Padmashri Vikhe Patil’s firm conviction that rural youth play dominant role in the nation building, if they were provided quality education. He also advocated that education of a women mean education of the whole family. He knew that the success of social transformation in rural area depended a good deal on gradual upliftment and active participation of the women folk. In order to accomplish these objectives, Pravara Public School, Pravara Kanya Vidya Mandir, the residential schools were established. Presently the Pravara Public School is adopted by Sports Authority of India for moulding future sportsman of national and international caliber. Bringing the girls for enrollment was an uphill task. Undaunted in spirit, Padmashri Vikhe Patil went from door to door motivating the parents; and to ease their financial constraints, he founded Late Mrs. Gangubai Eknathrao Vikhe Patil Trust. Similarly he introduced Earn and Learn Scheme to intelligent and needy students pursuing higher studies. Subsequently a chain of several institutions mushroomed in this Pravara region for providing education in Technical, Vocational, Medical streams turning the founder father’s dream into a reality.

Late Dr. Eknathrao alias Balasaheb Vikhe Patil was a member of the 14th Lok Sabha of India. He took upon himself the task of translating the dreams of Padmashri into concrete realities by providing dynamic and pragmatic leadership to the society, true to the tradition of illustrious family. Such a visionary who quoted and acted as per his own maxim “Think globally and act locally”, was awarded with prestigious civilian award “Padmabhushan” on 31st March 2010 for his outstanding social work.

Pravara Rural Education Society is bound to grow enormously under the dynamic leadership of Hon’ble Namdar Shri. Radhakrishna Eknathrao Vikhe Patil, whose entire life was dedicated to the service of the farmers and the rural community, He persevered to provide them educational facilities, employment, and ushered reforms in the rural agro-industries, water conservation and its distribution, agriculture, financial, and health sectors. Under his dynamic leadership the Pravara Rural Education Society is working earnestly to achieve the goals set by his father.

Starting an educational institution in such a remote place and making it run successfully was a task next to impossible. The challenge was taken by the visionary Padmashri Vikhe Patil and his associates. Further for the Higher Education he started Arts, Science and Commerce College. It was the humble beginning to provide urban amenities to rural area. Many centers of Primary, Secondary and Higher Education in and around, recognizes Pravara as an Educational hub and become a role model of rural educational center in the country.

Members of the Joint Management Board

Name	Position
Mr. S J Bhole (GM, AURDC, HAL Nashik)	Chairman JMB
Ms. A P Kaur (DGM, Human Resources, HAL Nashik)	Member
Mr. Mahesh Burewar (AGM, Finance, HAL Nashik)	Member
Ms. Susmita R. Vikhe Patil (Director, HAL Pravara Aviation Institute)	Member Secretary
Mr. C R Mishra (Training Manager, HAL-Pravara Aviation Institute)	Member