Our Inspiration

Shri. Satishchandra Sitaram Pradhan is one of the most distinguished leaders of Thane, who is well-known for his charisma, leadership and his honorary social services. He is a Founder & Honorary President of Dnyanasadhana, Thane (Society). He desired to ignite the young minds who could not afford for further studies in the neighbourhood colleges due to their financial issues and average marks in SSC examinations. So, with the mission to enable education for all the students he established an educational institution that open doors to everyone who wants to sail in the sea of knowledge. Shri. Satishchandra Pradhan is the Founder of Dnyanasadhana College, Thane, which is later rechristened as Satish Pradhan Dnyanasadhana College, Thane established on 02.07.1980. He has also been instrumental in setting up Educational Institutions such as Dnyanasadhana Vidyaniketan School (CBSE Board, 3.06.2008 to 31.03.2014), Dnyanasadhana Asian Institute of Core Competence (DAICC, 6.04.2005 to 31.03.2019) – Sikkim Manipal University Distance Education Centre and Maharashtra Knowledge Corporation Ltd. (MKCL) – Authorized Learning Centre.

Shri. Satishchandra Pradhan is renowned as the Architect of Thane. He has been a President of Thane Municipal Council for the tenure of six years (1974 – 81). He was the First Mayor of the Thane City (1986 – 87). He was elected as the Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha for the tenure of six years (5th July 1992 – 4th July 1998). Further, Shri. Satishchandra Pradhan became a Leader in Shivsena Parliamentary Party from September 1992. He also was the Member of various prestigious Committees such as, Consultative Committee for the Ministries of Power and Non - Conventional Energy Sources (1992 – 97), Standing Committee on Railways (1993 – 96), House Committee, Rajya Sabha (1994 – 95) and Committee on Communications (1996 – 97), Committee on Welfare of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Communications (1996 – 97).

Shri. Satishchandra Pradhan was re-elected as the Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha for the tenure of another six years (5th July 1998 – 4th July 2004). He served as the Member in the numerous noteworthy Committees, such as, Committee on Finance, Joint Committee on Offices of Profit, Consultative Committee for the Ministry of Defence, Committee on Public Accounts (July 1998 - July 2004), Business Advisory Committee (Aug 1998 – July 2004), Committee on Transport & Tourism (Dec 1999 - July 2004), Consultative Committee for the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas (Jan 2000 – July 2004), Patents Committee (Jan 2000 – July 2004) and the Committee on Public Undertakings (April 2000 – July 2004).

Shri. Satishchandra Pradhan and his son Shri. Kamlesh S. Pradhan’s picture was featured on the Cover page of KYT (Know Your Town) Magazine for ‘Taking Education to Masses’, Vol 2, Issue 12, RNI No. MAHENG/2013/50556/ Regd. No. THC/187/2016-2018/ May 2018. He was the Founder President of Thane Marathon Trust (conducted Thane Varsha Marathon 1989 to 2010), Abhiman Foundation (conducted Drawing Competition for School’s students from 1986 to 2010) and Satish Pradhan Sports Foundation (conducted Cycle Marathons 2005 and 2006).

Shri. Satishchandra Pradhan is intensely dedicated to Sports, Cultural activities and social work beside his interest in Literary, Artistic and Scientific accomplishments and other social activities. In 1978, the Thane Municipal Council had begun the construction of "Ram Ganesh Gadkari Rangayatan" theatre besides the most attractive and famous "Masunda" lake in Thane City, which was under Shri. Satishchandra Pradhan’s tenure as the President of Thane Municipal Council. The “Dadoji Konddev Stadium”, which is named after Shri. Dadoji Konndev was erected in 1981 under Shri. Satishchandra Pradhan’s tenure. Dadoji Konddev Stadium is currently used mostly for training purpose. Its main ground has been built for cricket with an in-built six lane running track for athletes. The complex also comprises of 5 badminton courts, a Gym, a Table Tennis Hall, 2 Squash Courts, a Billiards Room, Rami Room, Hall, Bar Room, and a Canteen.

Shri. Satishchandra Pradhan was an Ex-President of subsequent sports and social organisations such as Maharashtra Amateur Athletic Association; Thane District Chess Association; Thane District Amateur Athletic Association; Thane District Cycling Association; Thane District Billiards & Snookers Association; Thane Friends Union Cricket Club, Thane District Hockey Association. He is a Life-time President of Maharashtra State Table Tennis Association. He was a Ex - Vice – Presidents of Maharashtra Olympic Association & was member, Finance Committee of the Athletic Federation of India. He was a Chairman of Batten Relay Organizing Committee Commonwealth Youth Games Pune 2008. He was also Vice – Chairman of Games Technical conduct Committee, Commonwealth Games Pune 2008. He was an Editor of Monthly Marathon (Sports) magazine. He was an Advisor board of Table Tennis Federation of India.

Moreover, Shri. Satishchandra Pradhan loves to go on excursions and exploring other countries to incorporate their best practices in Maharashtra. He had travelled to 22 countries such as, Thailand, Hong Kong, Singapore, Kenya, Japan, South Korea, Philippines, Malaysia, England, Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, France, Switzerland, China, North Korea, USA, Indonesia, Brazil, Nepal, Germany and Sri Lanka.

Besides, Shri. Satishchandra Pradhan is a recipient of several prestigious awards: -

• In the memory of Late. Adv. Ramakant Ovalekar he received Jeevan Gaurav Puraskar 2023 on dated 21st.11.2023

• He received Jeevan Gaurav Puraskar 2015 on dated 25th.10.2015 from Mahatrshtra State Table Tennis Association.

• Shivchatrapati Rajya Krida Puraskar - Krida Sanghatak 1994-95 from State Government of Maharashtra.