Looking back as we go forward…………..

Parle College was the realization of a long cherished dream. Fuelled by the desire to provide the suburbs with an avenue for pursuing higher education, philanthropists like Shri Baburao Paranjpe and others established ‘Parle College’ in 1959. The Parle Tilak Vidyalaya High School, established by the same management, had long been running successfully. The next step inevitably, was the founding of an institute of higher learning, which would cater to the needs of students in and around the suburbs of Vile Parle. The kind of education envisaged by them was to be all encompassing. Apart from academics and extra curricular activities it would involve complete personality development based on sound values.

Initially, while the college building on Dixit road was still under construction, classes were conducted in Parle Tilak Vidyalaya High School. The foundation stone for the college building was laid on 4th November, 1959 by Shri Ganesh Hari Pethe, the President of the Institution.

Prof. C.B. Joshi, an able academician, renowned geographer, and a Cambridge scholar took over as the first Principal of the college. His wide contacts and his standing in academic circles soon attracted the best teaching talents in all departments. The college was equipped with a well-stocked library and laboratories. In keeping with the visions of the founding fathers, a moral guidance scheme was initiated for students. For the convenience of employed students there were special classes in the early mornings and late evening. To encourage academic excellence a scheme was launched inviting research papers from teachers.