Shikshayatan Foundation began its journey in 1920 with a mission to educate girls. Hundred years down the line, the four institutes run by the foundation — Marwari Balika Vidyalaya, Shri Shikshayatan School, Shri Shikshayatan College and Calcutta Business School — remain committed to the cause.
Marwari Balika Vidyalaya was set up at Burrabazar by Ghanshyam Das Birla in 1920. In 1954, Shri Shikshayatan School was founded and a year later, the foundation was laid for Shri Shikshayatan College on Lord Sinha Road. In keeping with the times, the foundation started Calcutta Business School — a residential management institution — at Diamond Harbour in 2008.
Marwari Balika Vidyalaya was started in 1920 Shikshayatan Foundation
The foundation turned 100 in 2020 but celebrations had to be postponed because of the pandemic. On August 31, the centenary celebrations will be held at the Science City auditorium.
“Whenever we think of the word Shikshayatan, it tells us that it is an abode of learning. The journey that started in 1920 was about empowering girls, but today it is about empowering lives. We completed 100 years in 2020 but we could not have the celebrations. However, we had different activities with our students for two years to mark the centenary celebrations. Finally, now we have decided to hold the celebrations on August 31 at the Science City auditorium,” said Bratati Bhattacharyya, Secretary General, Shikshayatan Foundation.
Bratati Bhattacharyya, Secretary General, Shikshayatan Foundation
“Students, ex-students, staff members, faculty members and everyone from all four units of Shikshayatan have got together to celebrate 100 years of Shikshayatan. It will undoubtedly be a grand success. People have been working day and night. There will be a production with 450 students on stage singing, dancing and acting. A coffee table book and a stamp will be launched on the day,” she said. “The journey of Shikshayatan shall continue with the motto Tamaso Ma Jyotirgamaya (Lead us from darkness to light).
My Kolkata spoke to a few ex-students and teachers about their association with Shikshayatan.
Rangana Mitra, ex-teacher, Shri Shikshayatan School, and currently a faculty member at Calcutta Business School
I started off as a maths teacher at Shri Shikshayatan School in 1995. I was fresh out of college then, having just completed my BSc. While teaching at the school, I completed my BEd, MSc and my PhD, too. My colleagues and the school authorities were really supportive. In my 27-year journey with Shikshayatan, I have seen generations pass out from this school. When I joined, the school had two parallel sections — Hindi and English. Over the years, I saw the entire school turn into an English-medium institution. Also, the school was initially affiliated to the West Bengal board but eventually shifted to the CBSE curriculum. I resigned from the school in 2021 and was absorbed at Calcutta Business School to teach maths. I am still proud to be a part of the foundation.
Rangana Mitra with her students
In school, I was also actively in charge of all musical events. My most memorable moments were at the two student exchange programmes that I attended in the UK and China, where I was able to impart knowledge in mathematics and music to the foreign students.
We are all very excited to celebrate 100 years of Shikshayatan. The celebrations are going to be grand. I have been involved in musical performances. It is a delight to see our ex-students from various parts of India come back and perform even after so many years. This is what we imbibe in our students. We encourage them to be grateful to the roots even when they soar high.
Uma Kundu, retired teacher, Shri Shikshayatan School
Back in 1992, the Shri Shikshayatan School was slowly transforming into a complete English-medium school. That’s when new teachers trained in English were being hired. I joined during that time and served as a teacher in the junior school till 2021. So Shikshayatan has been a part of my life for 29 years and I have seen developments after developments in the school. From new buildings to holistic approach in teaching, Shikshayatan has only thought about the betterment of students. Over the years, the campus of the school transformed in a beautiful way and junior kids never felt happier being at school.
Uma Kundu during her days at the school
As the years passed by, the school introduced various co-curricular activities to make the children confident, smart and versatile. Sports, cultural events, competitions have been a crucial part of the curriculum at Shikshayatan.
The founders of Shikshayatan had a vision to light the lamp of knowledge and while we celebrate 100 years of imparting knowledge, I would like to tell my students that it’s time to spread the light. As a part of this big family, we will have to carry forward the learnings and values and do something for the society.
Iman Roy, ex-student, Shri Shikshayatan School (Batch of 2018)
My alma mater has equipped me for the future. My time in school was a time for experimentation and this helped me choose my career. We were always pushed to think better, to think beyond. It was never just fulfilling the criteria of the school curriculum, it was also about being a part of the different activities in school — may that be singing, dancing, sports or being a part of the debate club, quiz club, photography club or being a girl guide. It was also about taking up responsibilities in the student council or planning events with like minded students with immense support from the teachers.
Iman (second from left) during her school days with her scout and guide mentor Ravneet Khurana
My most important lesson in school was to be patient and understanding in every sphere of life. One thing that sets Shikshayatan apart from other institutions is the sisterhood it creates on multiple levels.
Our institution stands out because it made us all practically tuned people who know how to stand up and fight for a cause when no one does, or to survive in the most difficult circumstances and still keep the elegance and gracefulness alive.
Iman’s last day in school with friends
My alma mater means a lot to me. It gave me all the best memories and all the opportunities one could ask for. I believe through the ethos and values it has injected in me, it’s my responsibility to utilise those values and create not just a society based on equality but a society that has a little less hatred and a little bit more of heart.
Iman is currently pursuing master’s in Sociology at St. Xavier’s College, Kolkata
Prajna Paromita Dhawa, ex-student, Shri Shikshayatan School (Batch of 2015)
Starting from how to write “A B C D” to becoming an independent person, Shikshayatan has made several contributions to my life for 13 long years. The school taught me that no profession is gender-specific and nothing is impossible. Hence, even today when the Industrial Kitchen (food production department) has a male-dominated environment, I could still chase my dreams fearlessly, become a chef and work with several reputable brands in the hospitality industry across India.
Chef Prajna thanks her alma mater for all that she has achieved
At Shri Shikshayatan, extracurricular activities are given a lot of importance along with education. The school boasts an auditorium, the basketball court, the swimming pool, the music room, the dance room and the laboratories for every subject have been provided to us. But Shikshayatan’s greatest assets are its teachers. From scolding us when we were wrong to loving us as our mother, they made our school days very special and memorable. The teachers shared such a strong bond with us (students) that even seven years after completing school, one of my most favourite teachers (Rangana Mitra) gave me this opportunity to be a part of the 100-year celebrations. One phone call from her and I knew I had to come down to Kolkata from Bangalore. That is how strong our bond is.
Prajna Paromita Dhawa is currently a chef (management trainee) in a Bangalore restaurant
Samadrita Ghosh, ex-student (Batch of 2012)
Shikshayatan was my second home and the teachers were like my mother. It was not just an institution but more like a family. The very mention of Shikshayatan has earned me respect wherever I have gone. It was this family that taught me that it is possible to successfully carry on with both education and one’s passion simultaneously.
Samadrita Ghosh
Shikshayatan knows how to keep pace with time and nurture its students accordingly. It has kept a good balance between both the heritage and modern period. The foundation is completing 100 years and we are proud of it. I will be participating in the celebrations with a solo performance. I had to be a part of it. No matter what, I will always be with my school.
Samadrita Ghosh is a lecturer at Jogamaya Devi College, Kolkata, and is pursuing her PhD in commerce from Vidyasagar University.