From a Vision to a University

On 21 May 2001, Late Shri Tulsi Ram (T.R.) Abhilashi embarked on an educational mission with a simple yet powerful vision — to make quality education accessible to all sections of society.

What began with +1 and +2 education gradually evolved into a much larger movement encompassing teacher education, pharmacy, engineering, postgraduate sciences, Ayurveda, nursing, agriculture, veterinary sciences and integrated teacher-education programmes. Behind this transformation is a story of vision, sacrifice, persistence and an unwavering belief in education.

Following the passing of the founder his son, Dr. R.K. Abhilashi, took forward the legacy. Despite an established career in the government education sector, he chose to leave his job and devote himself fully to the family's educational mission. The culmination of years of effort came on 14 August 2014, when Abhilashi University was established by the Government of Himachal Pradesh.

In an exclusive conversation, Dr. R.K. Abhilashi reflects on his father's vision, the challenges encountered along the way, the struggle to establish new academic programmes, the journey towards university status, and his vision for the future.

The Beginning of a Dream

The story began with the establishment of the Abhilashi Educational Society on 21 May 2001. The initial focus was on +1 and +2 education, and the institution's early academic potential was confirmed when one of its students emerged as a topper in the Himachal Pradesh Board of School Education.

For the founder, education was never simply about establishing institutions — it was about creating opportunities for students. As he observed the educational landscape of Himachal Pradesh, he recognised a significant gap: government colleges did not have sufficient seats to meet the growing demand for higher education. Many students, particularly those aspiring to pursue B.Ed., were compelled to travel outside the state.

This realisation led to the establishment of an A-grade B.Ed. college in 2003, which received considerable appreciation from various sections of society — reinforcing the founder's belief that quality educational opportunities could, and should, be created within Himachal Pradesh.

“Students should not have to leave Himachal Pradesh simply because opportunities for quality education are not available within the state.”
— Sh. T.R. Abhilashi

A Legacy Passed to the Next Generation

At that time, Dr. R K. Abhilashi was already pursuing a stable career in the government education sector. But his father's vision continued to inspire him, and in 2008, he made a significant personal and professional decision: he left his government job to join the Abhilashi Educational Society full-time — a decision that changed the trajectory of the organisation.

Rather than simply maintaining what his father had built, Dr. Abhilashi began looking at how the organisation could expand its academic footprint to address the changing needs of students.

Expanding into Professional Education

The organisation expanded rapidly. In 2006, a Pharmacy College was established, becoming one of the pioneering private pharmacy institutions in Himachal Pradesh. This was followed by the establishment of an Engineering College in 2008.

Dr. Abhilashi's ambitions extended further still: he wanted students in Himachal Pradesh to access postgraduate science education without leaving the state. At the time, M.Sc. opportunities were extremely limited — only a handful of institutions, including Himachal Pradesh University, Government College Dharamshala and MLSM College Sundernagar, offered such programmes.

A major regulatory hurdle stood in the way: the prevailing policy required an institution offering M.Sc. programmes to already be running the corresponding B.Sc. programme. Dr. Abhilashi challenged this policy through the legal system and after considerable effort, the institution obtained approval to introduce M.Sc. programmes in Physics, Chemistry and Botany in 2010.

This episode became an important milestone in the Abhilashi journey, demonstrating a philosophy that would continue to shape the organisation: if a barrier prevents students from accessing education, find a legitimate way to overcome it.

“The challenge was not only to establish an institution; it was to create educational opportunities that were genuinely needed by students.”
— Dr. R.K. Abhilashi

The Dream of a University

Dr. Abhilashi began thinking beyond individual colleges — towards a multidisciplinary university where students could pursue different areas of higher education under one academic ecosystem.

The Abhilashi Educational Society submitted its application for establishing a private university and the state government constituted a committee under the leadership of Shri Abhey Shukla, IAS, to inspect the proposed institution and assess its infrastructure and feasibility.

According to Dr. Abhilashi, the organisation had already invested significantly in infrastructure and worked to fulfil the prescribed requirements. But approval did not come quickly — the process stretched on for nearly four years. The files remained pending, creating uncertainty and disappointment for the team, which had already invested substantial resources, and taken loans, to develop the necessary infrastructure.

There were moments when the future appeared uncertain. Yet the team continued — they waited, they worked, they invested, and, most importantly, they continued to believe in the dream.

“There were disappointments, there were delays, and there were financial pressures — but we never stopped trying.”
— Dr. R.K. Abhilashi

14 August 2014: The Dream Becomes Reality

After years of effort and waiting, the defining moment finally arrived. On 14 August 2014, Abhilashi University was established by the Government of Himachal Pradesh through Ordinance No. 14, subsequently governed under the Abhilashi University (Establishment & Regulation) Act 2014.

Notably, Abhilashi University holds the distinction of being the first private university in Himachal Pradesh to be founded and run by a Himachali — someone who understands, from lived experience, the basic requirements and needs of the people of Himachal Pradesh. For Dr. Abhilashi, this local rootedness has shaped the university's approach from the outset: decisions about courses, access and outreach are grounded in an understanding of what Himachali students and families actually need.

The establishment of the university marked a new chapter in the history of the Abhilashi Educational Society, transforming it from a small educational initiative into a comprehensive, multidisciplinary higher-education institution.

Continuing the Founder's Vision

For Dr. Abhilashi, obtaining university status was not the destination — it was another beginning. The university expanded into areas closely connected with the educational and social needs of the region.

Recognising the importance of Ayurveda, India's ancient system of healthcare and knowledge, an Ayurvedic Medical College was established in 2014. This was followed by the establishment of an Agriculture College and a Nursing College, further strengthening the university's multidisciplinary character.

The university also entered the field of Veterinary Sciences, an area where opportunities were particularly limited — at the time, there were only four private veterinary colleges in India, and Abhilashi University became the fifth, adding another important dimension to its educational ecosystem.

The institution subsequently introduced integrated B.A. B.Ed. and B.Sc. B.Ed. programmes in 2019, further strengthening its contribution to teacher education.

Today, Abhilashi University runs 6 faculties and 13 schools under its umbrella, reflecting how far the institution has grown from its modest beginnings into a genuinely multidisciplinary university.

The university's student community has also become increasingly diverse. Students now arrive not only from Himachal Pradesh but from more than 14 other states, including Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Haryana, Punjab and the states of the Northeast. For Dr. Abhilashi, this geographical diversity represents something much larger than student enrolment — it demonstrates that an institution born from a regional vision can create opportunities for students across India.

The People Behind the Institution

Institutions are ultimately built by people. Dr. Abhilashi attributes much of the organisation's growth to the strength of its team and the involvement of his family. His younger brother, Dr. Lalit Kumar Abhilashi, joined the organisation, while other family members have also contributed to its development.

Over the years, the university has also brought together experienced professionals and academicians from leading institutions and government educational organisations — including individuals with experience as Dean and Vice-Chancellor in Himachal Pradesh's agriculture sector, and senior officials from the veterinary and technical education sectors.

This combination of experienced leadership, academic expertise and modern infrastructure has enabled the university to focus on preparing students not merely to obtain degrees, but to become professionally competent and industry-ready — with opportunities to apply their knowledge practically from the very beginning of their careers.

Education as a Social Responsibility

Perhaps the most distinctive aspect of Dr. Abhilashi's vision is that education should not be restricted by economic circumstances. For him, the purpose of an educational institution extends beyond academic excellence — it must also serve society.

The university provides scholarships and financial support to students from economically weaker sections. In deserving cases, assistance can extend to education, hostel facilities and support for basic living expenses.

“A student's financial circumstances should not become a barrier to quality education.”
— Dr. R.K. Abhilashi

This approach reflects the broader vision of Late Shri T.R. Abhilashi — to create an educational environment in which students from every section of society can aspire to build better futures.

The Vision Ahead

Today, Dr. R.K. Abhilashi's vision extends beyond growth in the number of courses or students. His ambition is to establish Abhilashi University as a knowledge hub, recognised across Himachal Pradesh and India for:

• Quality education
• Meaningful research and innovation
• High-quality academic publications
• Industry-relevant, practical learning
• Multidisciplinary education
• Social responsibility

The next phase, therefore, is about moving from growth to excellence — from providing education to creating knowledge, and from preparing graduates to developing innovators, researchers and professionals who can contribute meaningfully to the country.

A Legacy That Continues

The story of Abhilashi University is not simply the story of an educational institution — it is the story of a vision passed from one generation to another. Late Shri T.R. Abhilashi planted the seed in 2001; Dr. R.K. Abhilashi chose to nurture it, leaving behind a secure government career to dedicate himself to the mission.

The organisation faced regulatory challenges, financial pressures, administrative delays and years of uncertainty. But the vision remained constant. From a beginning with +1 and +2 education to a multidisciplinary university serving students from across India, the journey has been built on one central belief: education creates opportunity, opportunity creates empowerment, and empowered individuals build a stronger society.

As Abhilashi University looks towards its next chapter, the challenge is no longer simply to grow — it is to excel, innovate, create knowledge and remain accessible to those who need education the most. As Dr. Abhilashi puts it, it is the blessing of his guru, Baba Hardev Singh Ji, that has allowed the university to come forward with a higher vision of serving society.

That, perhaps, is the most enduring part of the legacy of Late Shri T.R. Abhilashi — and the continuing mission of Dr. R.K. Abhilashi.