Wilson College, Mumbai

Wilson College is a degree college affiliated to the University of Mumbai in Mumbai. The college, established in 1832 and built in 1840 overlooks the Arabian Sea, at Girgaum Chowpatti Beach in South Mumbai. It is named after its founder Dr. John Wilson, (1804-1875). The college has played an important role in the foundation of the Mumbai University and the Asiatic Society.

History

It was inaugurated as the General Assembly's Institution. It was later renamed as Wilson College.

Being the oldest college in Mumbai(Bombay), it precedes the University of Bombay. It got affiliated to the University of Bombay in 1861. It was built simultaneous with Bombay Scottish school, Mahim.

Along with Scottish Church College, Calcutta, and Madras Christian College, Wilson College was one of the few institutions for higher education in early 19th century colonial India that was started by and initially affiliated to the Presbyterian Church of Scotland.

Alumni

The alumni of Wilson College include former Prime Minister Morarji Desai, poet Nissim Ezekiel, cricketer Dilip Sardesai ,Jane D'souza ,Kevin Pinto,Sunil Indoriya and Sajal Ghonge.

Events

On June 30, 2006, some NSUI activists (the student wing of Congress Party) forcefully manhandled and blackened the face of a senior professor in the college, and paraded him through the streets in public, and handed him over to the police for allegedly molesting a female student. The local police were mute spectators to the incident and did not think it their duty to stop NSUI's mob-behaviour. The NSUI in turn has been accused of opportunistic motivations behind their actions. The students of Wilson college all rallied in support of the professor as soon as they heard about the incident. A case was filed against the NSUI committee member responsible for the incident. [http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?NewsID=1039012]

External links

* [http://www.wilsoncollege.edu Official Website]
* [http://www.telegraphindia.com/1041208/asp/careergraph/story_4082328.asp "Wilson College, Mumbai", The Telegraph, December 8, 2004]
* [http://www.wilsoncollege.edu/BiCentenary-AlumniFelicitation.htm Famous alumni]