Over a century of excellence in shaping future leaders

The 127-year-old Dayanand Anglo Vedic (DAV) Senior Secondary School, Hoshiarpur, has been the alma mater of numerous successful individuals across various fields. From industry and politics to medical profession and civil services, the school students have left their mark in every walk of life.

According to available records, the school began functioning on February 8, 1898, with Principal Ram Chander as its first head. Located in the heart of the city, the school occupies more than 6 acres of land. It was the second in a series of DAV schools established by Mahatma Hansraj ji, who founded the first in Lahore in 1886. The school has been permanently recognised and aided by the Punjab government since 1967. At the time, Hoshiarpur was part of a district under British rule, which included areas of Himachal Pradesh, present-day Jalandhar, Nawanshahar and Ropar.

The school offered a unique blend of Anglo-Sanskrit education, combining traditional Indian education, especially Sanskrit, with modern English instruction. Students from across the united Punjab and even neighbouring states, attended the school. For decades, it remained the epicentre of education in Punjab, particularly in the Doaba region.

A turning point in the school’s history came in 1905 when Arya Samaj missionary Mahatma Devi Chand took over as principal. He significantly contributed to the school’s development and made it a hub for spreading education across the region. Mahatma Devi Chand not only improved the school but also established 39 other schools, all of which were managed from this very institution. The school’s role as the centre of DAV education became solidified, overseeing the affairs of these 39 schools.

The school also ran a hostel in Islamabad, a locality on the outskirts of Hoshiarpur, where numerous students from across the country resided. In 1926, this hostel was converted into DAV College, Hoshiarpur, with Principal Ram Dass serving as the first head of the college. In 1930, the DAV College Hoshiarpur Society was formed and registered with the Registrar of Firms and Societies, Punjab. Since then, the school has operated under the auspices of this society, which is currently led by noted urologist Dr Anoop Kumar, an alumnus from the 1975 batch.

The school boasts a long list of distinguished alumni who have achieved great success in various domains. Among them is former MLA from Hoshiarpur (1978-1980) and principal of the school, Om Prakash Bagga, who was tragically killed by Khalistani terrorists in 1984.

Notable alumni from other fields include former Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora, former Haryana Chief Secretary Sanjeev Kaushal, and former Additional Chief Secretary of Haryana Rajiv Arora, who have all brought pride to the school through their accomplishments. As Dr Anoop Kumar, the current president of the DAV College Hoshiarpur Society, says, “Our school has not only shaped careers but has contributed to the development of our nation and continues to be a guiding light for future generations.”