About Us
Divyadaan, Salesian Institute of Philosophy, was erected within the already existing Institute, Don Bosco Youth Centre, 4 Koregaon Road, Pune—411 001, as a house of immediate post-novitiate training and study of philosophy of the Salesian Province of Bombay in June 1980. On 24 May, 1984, the Institute was shifted to its new site at Don Bosco Marg, Nashik—422 005.
The Institute was affiliated to the Faculty of Philosophy of the Salesian Pontifical University (UPS), Rome in 1982. In March 2000 the Institute was granted Aggregation to the Faculty of Philosophy of UPS by a decree of the Sacred Congregation for Catholic Education, (prot.n. 1035/98). This has made it possible for Divyadaan to offer a Master of Philosophy Degree Course, with specialization in the fields of Education and Social Communication.
The two year B.Ph. course was changed to a three year course in June 2007. This was necessitated by the changes initiated by the Faculty of Philosophy of the Salesian Pontifical University.
The Name “Divyadaan” means “Divine Gift” in Marathi. The Divine Life and Wisdom we seek to attain, to understand and to share, is a gift of God.
The Crest shows a hand in the varada mudra, i.e., in the position of bestowing a favour. The stigma on the palm of the hand indicates that it is Christ who is the Giver. The lotus in full bloom below the hand signifies the eternal life which blossoms as a result of His gift.
The Motto is taken from the words of Jesus to the Samaritan woman at the well: “If you knew the gift of God .......” (John 4: 10). The aim of this Institute is to bring our students through study, prayer, apostolate, work and games to a better appreciation of the Divine Gift in the person of Jesus Christ, our Wisdom.