Dilip Guha ★ New Delhi : Raisina Bengali School, Mandir Marg, recently celebrated its 100 years of excellence, deeply rooted in rich Bengali culture. It holds the distinction of being one of the oldest Bengali schools in the capital. Since its existence, the school has nurtured Bengali students, many of whom went on to make significant contributions to modern India. As a mark of respect for the ‘Grand old institution’ Bengal Education Society ( BES) which itself is a Linguistic Minority Institution, established and runs Bidhan Chandra Vidyalaya since 1962, felicitated the esteemed institution in its centenary year on Saturday, 8th February, 2025 at the premises of Bidhan Chandra Vidyalaya, Moti Bagh, New Delhi.
In Delhi, a few of the Bengali primary schools have been closed due to a lack of students and financial constraints. While a few senior secondary schools are still operating, most are struggling to survive because of students’ apathy towards getting educated in Government-aided schools and parents’ growing inclination to admit their offspring to a ‘public school’. Additionally, the management of schools has been transferred to non-Bengalis for various reasons, which complicates the situation further.
As a result, the future of the Bengali Language and culture, including its literature and heritage etc is posing a risk of survival among the Bengali-speaking community residing in Delhi NCR.
To address these challenges and find solutions, senior members from various governing bodies of Bengali schools in Delhi along with a few other institutions assembled at this event. They agreed to collaborate on efforts to preserve and promote the legacy of Bengali art, culture, and literature among those living away from their hometown in West Bengal, the heart of the Bengali community, and also find solutions for the survival and betterment of Bengali schools in Delhi NCR.
During the felicitation function, various Bengali Schools and cultural organizations, to name a few Raisina Bengali School, Mandir Marg, Union Academy, Raja Bazar, Shyama Prasad Vidyalaya, Lodhi Estate, Bidhan Chandra Vidyalaya, Moti Bagh, DeshBandhu ChittaRanjan Memorial Society, C.R. Park, Dhumketu, C.R.Park, New Delhi Kali Bari, Mandir Marg, Bengali Club Kali Bari, Aamra Kajon Moti Bagh, were invited to participate. More than 50 delegates attended the event. Raisina Bengali School was honoured with bouquets and certificates of appreciation. The Bengal Education Society presented a beautiful memento in recognition of Raisina Bengali School…
The notable felicitation marked the centenary celebration of Raisina Bengali School was hosted by the Bengal Education Society. The event was expertly compared by the esteemed Ms. Rupali Chakraborty with overall coordination managed by the Secretary, Shri Ranajit Samaddar.
The programme featured heartfelt speeches and reminiscences from several delegates, complemented by performances from two talented artists, belonging to Bidhan Chandra Vidyalaya, Moti Bagh, and Bengali Boys’ School, Kashmere Gate. Promit Dey and Piyali Halder shared a selection of famous Bengali songs. Additionally, folk songs were presented, enriching the celebration with cultural significance. Shri Ranajit Chatterjee of Union Academy School spoke of the cordial relation they had with Raisina School, both being situated in the same vicinity in all spheres of life, be it on the football ground or otherwise… In fact, it really was very difficult to identify between students of Raisina School and Union Academy.
Smt Shipra Das, on behalf of Shyama Prasad Vidyalaya and Shyama Prasad Vidyalaya Education Society, read out the Certificate of Honour that they conferred to Raisina Bengali School, Mandir Marg, New Delhi.
On the occasion, Ranajit Samaddar, Secretary of the Society said, ” The Grand Old Raisina Bengali School, Mandir Marg, New Delhi, is a hundred years old now and is still going strong. This is a great achievement for any institution and making an all-out effort to maintain the legacy of Bengali culture since 1925. Many of us, we must remember, are products of that prestigious institution and are also ‘well settled’ in life today. As a mark of respect for the Grand old institution’, the Bengal Education Society wishes to felicitate the esteemed institution in its centenary year.”
Accepting the memento from the Secretary of BES Shri Mriganka Chatterjee, Vice-Principal, Raisina Bengali School, Mandir Marg, New Delhi said that he was overwhelmed by the hospitality and honour that was being bestowed upon him. With utmost humility, he assured the delegates that his school would certainly strive to achieve higher accolades and would put all its might into building up a congenial atmosphere among all the schools. Smt. Chitra Maji, Manager-Secretary of Raisina Bengali School, Mandir Mag thanked everybody for holding such a dignified function.
Attendees of this thought-provoking session were very pleased, and the Secretary, Ranajit Samaddar’s final story about “Babu-da” was particularly touching, serving as a fitting conclusion to the event. The happy faces of all the attendees were a testament to the uplifting atmosphere, which felt festive throughout.
