Geography department of Kirti M. Doongursee College came into existence in 1969. Department has achieved several milestones and the department is fortunate to have some eminent personalities such as Dr. V. S. Phadke, Principal D. S. Desai and Dr. H. M. Pednekar as the Head of the Department. These eminent scholars led down the foundation of Geography in the College.
The Geography Department was established by Dr.VinayakShankar Phadke, a devoted and dedicated teacher who later became Head, Department ofGeography at University of Mumbai. His colleague Prof. D. S.Desai who supported all his educational activities became head in 1979 andPrincipal till his retirement in 1990. The next head Dr.H. M. Pednekar wasVice-Principal and Life Member of Deccan Education Society. He was apopular educator and motivator, an extremely talented personality knownfor his contribution to NSS as District Coordinator. He was Senate Member at Mumbai University.He went on to become Principal at ACS College, Vikramgad, SonopantDandekar College, PalgharandChintamanrao College of Commerce, Sangli.
The Department has been actively engaged inconducting many workshops, teacher’s training programmes for schoolteachers, seminars and guest lecturers for students. Moving with the times ithas conducted courses in GISand hands-on training for varioussoftware.Students ofGeography have prepared a College map using GPSSurveying Technology. Sharing of knowledge resources through technicalguidance for mapping vegetation in the College Campus, Sandmodeling activities on the adjacent beach to demonstrate different landforms, etc. aresome of the novel activities of the Department. Besides, as responsiblecitizens, members and students of the Departmentinvolve themselvesinconstructive and noble activities serving both society and mankind
When the city of Mumbai was battling with COVID -19 pandemic, staff and students in the department helped in various ways. Prof. RohanRajapkar along with an NGO supplied food kits and ration to around 130 needy people for six to seven months. He organized and conducted COVID-19 screening tests for people in Sion area. He also donated blood at the BMC blood bank.
Prof. Lalita Salvi and her friends helped needy people in her area with COVID-19 kits which contained Sanitizers, Masks, Grocery items, etc.
TYBA Geography student OmkarGole voluntarily distributed food kits to factory workers. He participated in 11th Mass Screening program at Ramabai Nagar, Ghatkopar as well as Chembur during 10th-21st June 2020 and became COVID warrior. He volunteered to draw social distancing circles in front of essential goods shops in Village Road area, Bhandup.
Geo Nature Club formed by the department carried out the beach cleaning activity at Dadar Beach under the leadership of Prof. RohanRajapkar along with second and thirdyear Geography students. They collected several Lord Ganesh idols and handed over to BMC authorities for proper disposal.
On 30th August 2020, “NisargPujan” was organized by Prof. Vrushali Bhalerao and it was attended by staff members and students. They planted various plants around their houses as there was lockdown this activity was conducted individually, and photos were shared. One student made bird shelter as well.
On 7th November 2020, guest lecture was organized on “Applications and Employment opportunities in Geoinformatics”. Prof. Dr. Sameer Butala, Associate Professor and Head of Department of Geography at Sundarrao More College, Poladpur, who is extremely knowledgeable in the field, conducted the same and gave some valuable advice to the students.
On 14th January 2021, on account of Geography Day, under the guidance of Prof. Vrushali Bhalerao, student prepared cartoons, posters, etc. related to environmental theme. Ms. TanviKoli, TYBA student made an affordable electric invertor using household materials.
Under the banner of the Annual Academic Festival “SRUJAN 2020-21”, Department of Geography organized three different activities:
1. 15th February 2021: Guest Lecture on “Hands-on Training in Q-GIS Software” by Prof. Dr. Sameer Butala, it included demonstration and training of Q-GIS software which was attended by 62 students.
2. 15th February 2021: Guest lecture on “Maharashtra Tourism Potential” by Prof. Dr. AnitaAwati which was attended by 121 students. It made the students understand the huge potential to develop tourism in Maharashtra made them aware of different trends of the same.
3. 17th February 2021: Interdisciplinary Guest lecture on “Tissue Culture and Polyhouse Farming – Modern Trend in Agriculture” by Prof. Alisha Pimple which was attended by 144 participants. Prof. Alisha gave guidance on the specific topic and made the biotechnology concepts clear for the Geography students.
On 3rd March 2021, National Webinar on “Tourism in India: Explore the Unexplored” was organized by Dept. of Geography, convened by Prof. Vrushali Bhalerao. This webinar was massive success and was attended byparticipants across 25 states all over India. Feedback for this program was received from more than 550 participants. Many unexplored locations from various parts of India were highlighted and the participants had active interaction with the speakers. This webinar was very informative for the students as it was based on their syllabus topic.
On 17th March 2021, Guest lecture on “Mapping Essentials – A case study of Forests in Konkan Region” by Prof. Dr. PrakashDongre, Associate Professor, Dept. of Geography, N. K. College, Malad on occasion of World Forest Day was organized by the Department. It was attended by more than 85 students. This lecture raised awareness about the importance of all types of forests and their importance as a part of ecological balance of the world. It also helped to understand essential of maps using QGIS software.
On 9th May 2021, Alumni meet was arranged in order to interact with Alumni and establish connection and networking between current students, staff members and past graduates. It was attended by 34 past students.
Department Activities : 2019-20
22.02.2020 – ALUMINI MEETING – VISIT TO DEPARTMENT
SESSION ON YOGA FOR CONCENTRATION – A TECHNIQUE OF MEDITATION
ALIBAG STUDY TOUR -VISIT TO MAGNETIC OBSERVATORY – ALIBAG
VISIT TO SPACE EXHIBITION BY ISRO – 17.09.2019
SOLAR STUDY LAMP ASSEMBLY WORKSHOP – 02.10.2019
GEOGRAPHY DAY 14.01.2020 – MAIN ATTRACTION – WORKING MODEL OF SATELLITE
GEOGRAPHY DAY – 14.01.2020 – EXHIBITION OF STUDY MATERIAL – PRINCIPAL DR D V PAWAR INAUGURATING YOU TUBE VIDEO
23.01.2020 – INTERDISCIPLINARY LECTURE ON PLANT COMMUNITY AND ECO SYSTEM BY DR. SMITA JADHAV
LANDFORMS –SAND MODEL MAKING COMPETITION HELD AT THE KIRTI COLLEGE BEACH.
COLLEGE MAP PREPARED BY SYBA (GEOGRAPHY) STUDENTS THROUGH THE UTILIZATION OF MOBILE GPS SURVEYING TECHNOLOGY.
STUDENTS USING MOBILE APP AND TAKING READING OF THE TREES IN THE COLLEGE CAMPUS FOR HANDS ON TRAINING.
Dr. H. M. Pednekar
Life member of the Deccan Education Society, Pune.
Ex. Senate member – University of Mumbai.
Ex. HOD of Geography and Vice-principal – Kirti College, Mumbai
Ex. Principal – Chintamanrao College of Commerce, Sangli.
Ex. Principal, SonopantDandekar College, Palghar (W), Tal. & Dist. Palghar
Ex. Principal – ACS College, Onde, Vikramgad, Palghar
Ex. District Co-ordinator of N.S.S. for Mumbai City.
Ex. Vice-president – VijnanBharati, Mumbai.
Dr. Savitsmita Vilasrao Chawan( Vartak)
Retd.Professor& Former Head, Department of Geography, University of Mumbai
President-The Bombay Geographical Association
Shri. Ajit Padwal
Director Lakshya Academy (UPSC, MPSC, And Civil Services Coaching Institute in Mumbai & Pune.)
Editor, Lajaree Annual Magazine Publisher, Aavishkar Publication
Dr. Udhav Zarekar
Associate Professor
Vice Principal- Commerce &
HOD, Environmental Studies
Jai Hind College, Autonomous.
Mumbai
Prof. Rohan Rajapkar
Assistant Professor
Department of Geography
Kirti College, Mumbai
LODGE LYRRELL LEITH NO.43 GOLD MEDAL for Excellence in Master of Science (Geography)Academic year 2015-2016.
Attended the Republic Day Camp and Parade 2011 at New Delhi
NCC ‘C’ certificate holder with A grade
