Education

Just two days before bengalis marked Mahalaya—the conclusion of Pitri Paksha (the fortnight of remembrance for ancestors) and the beginning of Devi Paksha. From that day, several Durga Puja celebrations across West Bengal were inaugurated by the Hon’ble Chief Minister, and the Asansol–Durgapur industrial belt was no exception. While the festive spirit brings immense joy, there remains a sense of incompleteness when we see young children who, due to financial hardship, are unable to buy even a single new dress for the festival. To address this social concern, Jamuria Namopara Primary School undertook a unique initiative in collaboration with the Department of Commerce, Banwarilal Bhalotia College (B.B. College), Asansol.

 

What made the initiative remarkable was that the new clothes were distributed to underprivileged schoolchildren by none other than financially and socially disadvantaged college students themselves. Alongside the students, several professors of B.B. College also took an active role in this noble effort.

 

Explaining the motivation behind the programme, Head Teacher of the school, Mr. Deep Narayan Nayak, said that the primary aim was to instil human values, social responsibility, and a spirit of service among college students. He recalled that students of B.B. College—especially from the Commerce Department—had earlier come forward to distribute study materials to primary school children. What makes this initiative truly inspirational is that these college students save money from their own tiffin expenses to purchase either study materials or new clothes for disadvantaged children during festivals.

 

Mr. Nayak further emphasised that both the Government of India and the Government of West Bengal are presently prioritising the holistic development of students. Initiatives such as this complement that vision, he said, as they not only extend material support to schoolchildren but also nurture the emotional, ethical, and social growth of college students. He added that the collaboration between Jamuria Namopara Primary School, B.B. College, and its Commerce Department was carefully planned to encourage college students to contribute to the well-being of younger children. Going forward, the partnership will not only focus on distributing study materials but will also introduce special after-school training programmes to raise academic standards and promote the all-round development of disadvantaged children.

On the occasion, Mr. Nayak expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Amitava Basu, Principal of B.B. College; Professors Dr. Amlendu Samanta and Dr. Shantanu Mallick; and Commerce Department students Sujal Kesri, Khushi Kesri, Rishi Vishwakarma, Vidya Barnwal, Gungun Barnwal, and Surya Pratap Singh. He also extended thanks to his colleagues Shubhadip Sarkar, Jyotish Ruidas, Balaram De, and Madhabi Mistri, as well as to parents and well-wishers who were present.

 

Nearly 100 children from Pre-Primary to Class III received new clothes at the programme. The event was virtually inaugurated by Mr. Rathindranath Majumdar, President of the Paschim Bardhaman District Primary School Council, along with Dr. Amitava Basu, Principal of B.B. College, and Dr. Shantanu Mallick, Associate Professor of Commerce.

 

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Majumdar lauded the initiative, describing it as truly commendable, and congratulated Head Teacher Nayak for his visionary leadership. Principal Dr. Basu expressed his joy in bringing smiles to the faces of underprivileged children and assured the school of continued support from B.B. College. He also appreciated the Head Teacher’s leadership in driving the initiative.

 

Participating college students shared that the experience was deeply enriching and that they were moved by the warm hospitality of the school and its pupils.

 

One of the young recipients, Ishika Kora, a Class I tribal student, said with delight that this was her very first Puja dress. “All these days I kept thinking Durga Puja was approaching, but today, after receiving this dress, it truly feels like Puja has arrived,” she said with a bright smile.

 

Mr. Arijit Mondal, Assistant School Inspector of Jamuria East Circle, also praised the school for this noble endeavour. It is worth mentioning that the remaining students of Classes IV and V will receive their new clothes on October 26, which will be distributed by Mission Udaan Welfare Foundation, Raniganj. In advance, Head Teacher Nayak conveyed his sincere gratitude to Ms. Konkona Sinha, President of the Foundation, and all its members for their generous support.