Chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday presented the state's top honour 'Banga Ratna' to Bethune Collegiate School on the occasion of its 175th year celebrations at Netaji Indoor Stadium. In the presence of students, guardians, and teachers of the state-run school, the CM handed over a trophy and citation to Sabari Bhattacharya, the teacher in-charge of the educational institution
"It is a matter of pride for all of us that Bethune School has attained such pre-eminence in the country and the world. You will one day occupy the number one place among all schools in the world," Mamata said amid thunderous applause of the gathering. The school, which was set up by John E D Bethune, in north Kolkata with 21 students in 1849, is rated as one of the best girls' boarding schools in the city
Tracing back to the days of 1849 when the school came into existence, she said "You charted the path of women's emancipation in those days. Over the years, your pupils had made their mark and excelled in every field being the true embodiment of Nari Shakti, Matri Shakti' (women empowerment). To this date, Bethune School is performing the same role. The teachers of this school are imparting knowledge related to wisdom, unity, amity, compassion, and humanity to make our daughters multifaceted - excelling in various fields." The chief minister said it was Bengal which had pioneered women's emancipation
The students, ex-students, teachers and staff members of the school celebrated the milestone with dance, music, recitation and drama. Shashi Panja, cabinet minister for Department of Women and Child Development and Social Welfare for West Bengal government, and Bratya Basu, minister of education, was present at the event
Pointing out that the May 10 programme was preceded by the birth anniversary of Rabindra Nath Tagore on Tuesday, Mamata said "It is a matter of great pride that the national anthems of both India and our neighbour Bangladesh had been composed by Gurudev Jana Gana Mana' and Amar Sonar Bangla' respectively.” She also paid floral tribute to legends of Bengal like Tagore, Vidyasagar and the founder of the school, John Elliot Drinkwater Bethune