Thakkar Bapa Vidyalaya is run by the Thakkar Bapa Vidyalaya Samithi, a charitable trust whose objective is to eradicate untouchability from the Society and unite hearts based on the path shown by Mahatma Gandhi.

The Vidyalaya was started in a humble way in 1933 at Kodambakkam called Harijan Industrial School personally monitored by Mahatma Gandhi himself.

A.V.Thakkar [Amirtlal Vittaldas Thakkar] an Engineer by profession, born on 29th Nov.1869, was a close associate of Gandhiji. Due to his efforts, the present premises were acquired in the heart of the city, surrounded by a canopy of trees in the midst of nature.

Gandhiji laid foundation stone in 1946 and named the institution after Sri Thakkar for his invaluable services.