Today, On 31st July 2025, my father, Dr. S. B. Mujumdar, founder and President of Symbiosis, will complete 90 remarkable years of life. As his daughter, I feel profoundly blessed and fortunate to have been born into a family of highly educated parents, both of whom were teachers. My childhood memories are deeply intertwined with the corridors of Fergusson College, where we lived, and the Zoology Department laboratories of Pune University, where my mother pursued her PhD.
My father was not just a teacher but an institution in himself. He was immensely popular among his students at Fergusson College, so much so that students from other colleges would attend his lectures just to listen to him. During my childhood, while my mother was deeply engrossed in her research, it was my father who looked after me. Ours was a unique childhood – our home was always buzzing with students who came to seek his advice, both academic and personal.
Lessons That Shaped My Life
Despite his busy schedule – serving on the Executive Council of Pune University and being part of over a hundred committees – my father was always present when we truly needed him. I recall my 12th standard days when I was determined to get into a medical college. My father, however, believed I was better suited for humanities and a career in the Indian Foreign Services. When I joined BJ Medical College, I was terrified by the sight of the anatomy dissection hall on my first day and told him I wanted to switch streams. His response has stayed with me forever:
“Don’t be a coward and run away from something you are passionate about, because one day you will regret it. Once you take a decision, stand by it.”
This lesson of perseverance, of standing firm on one’s decisions, has shaped my life and career in ways I could never have imagined.
The Spirit of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam
I vividly remember the countless foreign students who would come to our home. Being the Rector of the boys’ hostel and an advisor to international students, my father welcomed them with open arms. If someone lost a passport or was struggling with homesickness, they were invited to stay with us until they felt secure and comfortable.
It was through these interactions that my father envisioned the philosophy of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” – The World is One Family, which later became the motto of Symbiosis. For him, this was not just a phrase but a lived reality. He believed education should go beyond academics to nurture understanding, compassion, and cultural acceptance. This spirit of global harmony is reflected even today in Symbiosis, where students from over 85 countries live, learn, and grow together.
The experience of sharing meals with students from across the world, listening to their stories, and celebrating their festivals gave us the most authentic education in diversity and inclusivity. Secularism, compassion, and cultural empathy were never taught to us as lessons; they were part of our daily life.
Building Symbiosis with Values
Later, I joined him professionally at Symbiosis. In the early years, I simply observed – the way he spoke to visitors, the warmth he extended to employees, and the deep respect he commanded from alumni. His leadership style was unique – he believed in decentralization, granting heads of institutions autonomy and fostering a sense of belonging among them. This approach is what made Symbiosis Law School and Symbiosis Institute of Business Management (SIBM), established in 1977 and 1978 respectively, some of the most sought-after institutions in India.
He has always stood for quality over quantity. Even today, the number of students admitted to Symbiosis is far smaller than the number of applicants because he believes in nurturing a few and giving them the best rather than expanding just for profit.
To my father, Symbiosis has always been a family. He ensures that every employee, from the peon to the Vice Chancellor, receives their salary on the 1st of every month without fail. When a businessman once asked him why he was so particular about this, his answer was simple and profound: “I was a teacher once, and I know how important it is to be recognized for your hard work at the right time.”
The Mantra of Excellence, Expansion, and Equity
My father has always lived by a powerful mantra – Excellence, Expansion, and Equity (Inclusion).
- Excellence: He firmly believes that quality must never be compromised, whether in the education imparted or the infrastructure built. He often says that every institution, classroom, and hostel of Symbiosis should reflect high standards of quality and commitment to students.
- Expansion: Symbiosis has always responded to the needs of students. With lakhs of students aspiring to join, but limited capacity in Pune, my father expanded Symbiosis to other cities like Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Noida, Nashik, Nagpur, and now even Dubai, ensuring that the reach of quality education widens without losing its essence.
- Equity (Inclusion): He has always championed inclusivity – whether it is empowering girls (the medical college he started is exclusively for girls) or uplifting students from rural areas surrounding university campuses. He has instilled in us the belief that Symbiosis is for all strata of society, and true growth is possible only when everyone is included.
A Living Legacy
His unwavering values have guided us all. He always reminded us that we are custodians, not owners, of Symbiosis – a charitable trust and a registered society. This belief has ensured that we remain professional, ethical, and grounded in our work.
Even today, at the age of 90, he comes to the office every day. His ability to offer quick, practical solutions to complex challenges amazes us all. Beyond being a guiding force at Symbiosis, he is now a loving great-grandfather to three great-grandchildren, finding joy and fulfillment in their company.
A Vision More Relevant Than Ever
As I reflect on his extraordinary life, I realize that his vision is timeless. In a world often divided by borders, religion, and conflicts, my father’s motto of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” and his mantra of “Excellence, Expansion, and Equity” stand as a beacon of hope. Symbiosis has become a true microcosm of the world – where students of different nationalities, cultures, and faiths learn not only to excel but to coexist.
His belief that education must unite rather than divide, empower rather than exclude, is a lesson the world needs today more than ever. I can only pray to God to bless him with health and strength, so he continues to guide and mentor us, ensuring that Symbiosis remains a symbol of values, ethics, and global harmony.