Baranagore Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama High School
Clockwise from top left: Main entrance of school, main academic building of secondary section, statue of Sister Nivedita, statue of Swami Vivekananda
Address
37, Gopal Lal Tagore Road, Baranagar

Kolkata
,
West Bengal
,
700036

India
Coordinates22°38′04.20″N 88°22′13.57″E / 22.6345000°N 88.3704361°E / 22.6345000; 88.3704361
Information
Former nameBrahmananda Balakashrama
(1912–1924)
TypePrivate (Higher secondary)
MottoAtmano mokshartham jagat hitaya cha
(For the salvation of our individual self and for the well-being of all on earth)
Religious affiliation(s)Hinduism
Established20 April 1912 (1912-04-20)
FounderYogindranath Tagore
StatusActive
Sister schoolRamakrishna Mission Centenary Primary School, Baranagore
(Estd. 1897)[1]
School board
School districtNorth 24 Parganas
AuthorityRamakrishna Mission Ashrama, Baranagore
SessionJanuary–December (V – X)
June–May (XI – XII)
School codeB1-019
(WBBSE)[2]
03691
(WBCHSE)[3][4]
DirectorSwami Purnagyanananda (Secretary)[5]
HeadmasterSwami Mahamritananda[5]
Head teacherSwami Gatabhayananda (Assistant headmaster)
GradesV–XII
GenderMale
Age range10+ to 18+
Enrolment1100[6]
LanguageBengali, English
Schedule typeDay
ScheduleMonday – Friday:
10:40 am – 4:30 pm[7] (V – X)
10:40 am – 3:50 pm
(XI – XII)
Saturday:
10:40am – 1:55pm
(V – X)
Hours in school dayMonday – Friday:
5–6 hrs
Saturday:
3–4 hrs
Campus size3 acres (121,359 m²)[8]
Campus typeUrban
HousesSarada Bhawan
Nivedita Bhawan[9]
Student Union/AssociationBRKMAHS Ex-students Reunion Celebration Committee
Colour(s)White and Grey   (V – X)
Blue and Grey   (XI – XII)
SongOm Sahana Bhabatu
Jana Gana Mana
SportsCricket, Football
NicknameBRKMAHS
YearbookRashmi (রশ্মি)
AlumniSee below
Websitewww.rkmabaranagore.org

Baranagore Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama High School (H.S.)[lower-alpha 1] (BRKMAHS) is a senior secondary boys' school in Baranagar, Kolkata, India and a branch centre of Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission, Belur Math.[10][11] The school was founded in 1912,[6] and is located at the northern outskirt of Kolkata, on the banks of the river Ganga. The school is run by the Baranagar Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama Authority under the umbrella of Ramakrishna Mission[12][13][14] headquartered at Belur Math.[6] Based on its performance of the students in the Xth standard board examination, the school is considered one of the very best schools in West Bengal.[15][16][17][18][19][20] Department of Tourism (West Bengal) listed it as one of the tourist spots of West Bengal.[21]

Emblem

Emblem of BRKMAHS

Designed and explained by Swami Vivekananda in his own words:[22]

The wavy waters in the picture are symbolic of Karma; the lotus, of Bhakti; and the rising-sun, of Jnana. The encircling serpent is indicative of Yoga and the awakened Kundalini Shakti, while the swan in the picture stands for Paramatman (Supreme Self). Therefore, the idea of the picture is that by the union of Karma, Jnana, Bhakti and Yoga, the vision of Paramatman is obtained.

Establishment

The "Brahmananda Ramakrishna Mission" of the twentieth century is today's "Baranagar Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama". Then the twentieth century was in its childhood – the great hero and saint Vivekananda had elevated himself like a phoenix from the ashes – his divine preaching had enchanted the young mind. India was then under the British bondage. The British Government had already issued the order, of partition of Bengal in accordance with the divide and rule policy of The Lord Curzon. The air was being rented with the melodies of Rabindranath "Banglar Mati Banglar Jol" Bengal became turbulent and agitated like "Nataraj" with the waves of anti-partition movement and this turbulence had given birth to a number of brave dreamers who were inspired by the paradigm of Swami Vivekananda. Yogindnanata Tagore, a disciple of Swami Brahmananda (Rakhal Maharaj) – a brave soldier of the anti-British movement and an active member of Anushilan Samiti, set up an orphanage in the name of his preceptor at the house of Panjas at Alambazar in North Kolkata. In 1912 on the pious day of Akshaya Tritiya, the organisation started its journey with the name "Brahmananda Balakashrama".

History

1912–2018

Baranagore Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama High School has become an embodiment of the ideology 'service and welfare through education', since its initiation in 1912, on the auspicious day of Akshaya Tritiya. Since then, through selflessness and service to the mankind, this organization so successfully caters the spiritual genre, convened by Lord Sri Ramakrishna, in every possible way.

The foundation stone of this ashrama, as a "Brahmananda Balakashrama", was laid by Sri Yogindranath Tagore, an eminent freedom-fighter and disciple of Srimat Swami Brahmanandaji Maharaj, the first president of Ramakrishna Order. Later it was shifted into a one storied building adjacent to Jaikrishna Mitra Kalibari at Kutighat in the name of, "Baranagar Ramakrishna Ashrama for Orphan". Then, in 1924 the Ashrama was acquired by Belur Math as a branch centre and hence, renamed as "Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama, Baranagore". On 20 February 1928, by the patronage of the late zaminders of Narali, Jessore, the Ashrama procured a land of 8 bighas and 8 chhatak beside Gopal Lal Tagore Road. It was the same Akshaya Tritiya on 11 May 1929 the Ashrama was shifted to the plot.

The primary school, set up in the Ashrama premises in 1934, was sequentially upgraded to upper primary and then to lower secondary section in the year 1952. The multifaceted upper secondary wing of the institution was inaugurated in 1954 and it, henceforth, got the recognition of 'Madhyamik' (Secondary).

11 May 1998, on the auspicious Buddha Purnima, a parallel primary wing of the institution (from Class I to Class IV) was incepted under the jurisdiction of Ramakrishna Mission, Belur Math. This new segment was named "Ramakrishna Mission Centenary Primary School, Baranagore" and was inaugurated by Revered Srimat Swami Lokeshwaranandaji on the occasion of 'Centenary Celebration'.[8]

2018–Present

Inauguration of the higher secondary section school building "Nivedita Bhawan" in 2018

After a prolonged yet rigorous effort of 42 years, this institution has been elevated to the Higher Secondary level in 2018 and education is being imparted through Bengali and English medium in this section. The first batch of Higher Secondary has come out of the school with flying colours in the pandemic-hit year of 2020.[23]

Campus

Top view of BRKM campus during annual festival in 2018
Statue of Swami Vivekananda at BRKM campus
Sarada Bhawan prayer hall
Main academic building of secondary section
Temple at BRKM campus
Open air corridor in front of the primary section building
Monk's quarters
Fibreglass relievo of Sri Ramakrishna's Monastic Disciples

Ashrama has a large and green campus. It contains a primary school section, secondary and higher secondary school section, libraries, three free coaching centres, a charitable homeopathic dispensary, a mobile medical unit, prayer hall, a temple, monk's quarters and playgrounds.[6] A fibreglass relievo (17 ft x 22 ft) of Sri Ramakrishna's Monastic Disciples was inaugurated in Ramakrishna Mission Baranagar by Revered Swami Shivamayananda ji Maharaj on 15 March 2021.[24] On 6 October 2023, the showroom-cum-sales Counter at Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama, Baranagar was inaugurated by Swami Suvirananda ji, General Secretary, Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission.[25]

Infrastructure

Secondary section

Corridor of secondary section building of school

There are two secondary section buildings in the school campus, one for classes (V – VIII) and the other for classes (IX – X). There are five sections in each of the classes from V – VIII and in IX and X there are four sections each.[26]

Higher secondary section

Nivedita Bhawan

There is one higher secondary section building in school campus for classes XI and XII. The building is named "Nivedita Bhawan" which was inaugurated by Swami Suhitananda ji maharaj on 14 May 2018.[9][27]

Affiliations

Secondary section (V – X) is affiliated by West Bengal Board of Secondary Education[2] and higher secondary section (XI – XII) is affiliated by West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Education.[23][8]

Academics

Swami Suvirananda's speech at the inauguration programme, Saugata Roy (right) was a chief guest

BRKMAHS started the Higher Secondary course, in commemoration of the 125th Anniversary of Swami Vivekananda's historic speech in the World Parliament of Religions at Chicago. Swami Suvirananda, General Secretary, Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission, inaugurated the course in a programme at the Ashrama premises on 22 June 2018 evening.[27]

Computer laboratory of higher secondary school of school

As of 2021, the curriculum of higher secondary section, affiliated by WBCHSE, consisted of Arts and Science streams.[8]

Organisation structure

Headmaster of Baranagore Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama High School
Incumbent
Swami Mahamritananda
since 2020
StatusHead of Baranagore Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama High School
ResidenceRamakrishna Bhawan
AppointerBelur Math
Term lengthNot specific
Renewable
Inaugural holderSwami Umananda
DeputyAssistant headmaster of Baranagore Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama High School

List of headmasters of Baranagore Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama High School according to their working period:

List of headmasters of Baranagore Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama High School
  • Swami Umananda
  • Swami Ramananda
  • Swami Jayananda
  • Swami Girutmananda
  • Swami Biswanathananda
  • Swami Bidhanananda
  • Swami Sukhananda, 2003–2010[28]
  • Swami Gyanalokananda, 2010–2011
  • Swami Kalyaneshananda, 2011–2014
  • Swami Dharmapriyananda, 2014–2020[29]
  • Swami Mahamritananda, 2020–present[5]
    Swami Tathagatananda was the head during the period 1975 – February 1977.[30]

Student life

Academic

Students are highly influenced by the faith and philosophy of Ramakrishna at this school. Former student Shiboprosad Mukherjee said:

In our school, we used to have a special class on religion, and we weren't a big fan of the class. Whenever we got an opportunity, we would bunk classes. But one particular lesson in that class moved me to the core and changed my whole perception about religion. It can be anything and any philosophy.[31]

Social activities

Swachh Bharat Mission

Swachh Bharat Mission

BRKMAHS arranged an intensive cleaning programme Swachh Bharat Mission in the neighbouring locality on 30 June 2016, in accordance with the instruction given by the headquarters Belur Math. More than 600 students of standards VIII, IX and X actively participated in the programme under the guidance of monastic members and brahmacharies of the Ashrama and almost all the teaching and non-teaching staff of the high school.[32]

COVID-19 relief services

Distribution of masks during COVID-19 pandemic

BRKM is continuing the relief services to the families affected by the lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[33]

Ex-students of BRKMAHS (2010 Madhyamik batch) organised a COVID relief fund and delivered much-needed oxygen, food, and necessary things to COVID-19 affected patients and their families of Baranagar and neighborhood areas.[34]

Amphan relief services

Distribution of foods after Amphan cyclone

BRKM started Amphan cyclone relief services to aid families affected by the Cyclone Amphan which wreaked havoc on 20 May 2020.[35]

Others

Distribution of blankets at school's sport ground Nivedita Krirangan in January 2022

BRKM distributed 500 blankets from 14 November 2021 to 9 January 2022 in Baranagar, Dakshineshwar and Harit.[36] BRKM conducted eye camps at Harit on 7 August and 18 September 2022.[37][38]

Cultural activities

Saraswati Puja at BRKM in 2019
Independence Day celebration at school premises in 2019

Following cultural festivals and activities are held at school premises & Nivedita Krirangan in a befitting manner by the students of school in every year:

Devotees’ Conference is also once held in every year during annual festival of school.[41][42]

Alumni association

Baranagore Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama High School Ex-students Reunion Celebration Committee is the name of alumni association committee of BRKMAHS. This committee every year celebrates reunion ceremony for ex-students of the school. They are connected with many social activities throughout the year.[43]

Blood donation camp

Baranagore Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama Praktan Chhatra Samsad under the guidance of Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama, Baranagore, organised a "Voluntary Blood donation Camp" on 15 September 2019, in association with blood bank of Ramakrishna Mission Seva Pratishthan, Kolkata, as a part of the concluding – 125th Anniversary of Swami Vivekananda's Chicago Addresses at Sarada Bhawan. Total 51 units of blood were donated by ex-students of the ashrama high school, teachers, monastic members of different branch centres of the Ramakrishna Mission, Ashrama staff, volunteers and devotees. Baranagore Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama Praktan Chhatra Samsad Charitable Trust felicitated all the doctors who have been dedicatedly serving the poor & distressed patients throughout the year in the ashrama's medical unit & also in medical camps at various remote places.[44]

Notable alumni

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Official name of the school, including "(H. S.)", since 14 May 2018.

References

  1. ↑ "RAMAKRISHNA MISSION CENTENARY PRIMARY SCHOOL, BARANAGAR". Retrieved 2 May 2018.
  2. 1 2 "Affiliated Schools of West Bengal Board of secondary Education". Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  3. ↑ "Baranagore Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama High School (H. S.)". rkmahsb.blogspot.com. 14 November 2018. Retrieved 5 November 2019.
  4. ↑ "List of West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Education affiliated schools". Retrieved 5 November 2019.
  5. 1 2 3 "RAMAKRISHNA MISSION ASHRAMA BARANAGORE". Baranagore Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama High School (H.S.). 11 February 2021. Archived from the original on 6 May 2021. Retrieved 6 May 2021.
  6. 1 2 3 4 "Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama, Baranagar, Kolkata". Retrieved 13 June 2018.
  7. ↑ Mazumdar, Jhinuk (21 June 2016). "Boy battles brain tumour to best exam". The Telegraph. Retrieved 1 December 2019.
  8. 1 2 3 4 "About Us". Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama Baranagore. Retrieved 9 August 2021.
  9. 1 2 "Inauguration Of Nivedita Bhavan, Baranagar RKM". 24 January 2020. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  10. ↑ "Home". Ramakrishna Mission. Archived from the original on 6 May 2021. Retrieved 6 May 2021.
  11. ↑ "About".
  12. ↑ "Ramakrishna Mission and Ramakrishna Math Branch Centres". Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  13. ↑ "Ramakrishna Math and Mission Branches In India". Archived from the original on 17 April 2019. Retrieved 6 January 2019.
  14. ↑ "World Centres – Vivekananda Brisbane". vedantabrisbane.org. Vedanta Centre of Sydney. 8 December 2015. Retrieved 2 December 2019.
  15. ↑ TNN (7 June 2018). "District schools outshine usual top-scoring government Institutes in Kolkata". The Times of India. Retrieved 1 December 2019.
  16. ↑ TNN (5 June 2012). "Bengal higher secondary toppers deny school credit". The Times of India. Retrieved 1 December 2019.
  17. ↑ Mukherjee, Mita (29 June 2000). "MADHYAMIK HANDS CITY TOKEN PRESENCE ON MERIT LIST". The Telegraph. Retrieved 1 December 2019.
  18. ↑ "TOPPERS AT HOME WITH RAY AND HORROR TALES". The Telegraph. 25 June 1999. Retrieved 1 December 2019.
  19. ↑ "PERSECUTED MISSION SCHOOLS SCORE HIGH". The Telegraph. 25 June 1999. Retrieved 1 December 2019.
  20. ↑ Ali, Arshad (6 June 2018). "Madhyamik has a small syllabus and it's not difficult, says Class X Kolkata topper Sarthak Talukdar". dnaindia.com. DNA India. Retrieved 1 December 2019.
  21. ↑ "Tourist attractions in West Bengal". wbtourismgov.in. Department of Tourism Government of West Bengal. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
  22. ↑ Vivekananda, Swami. "Conversations And Dialogues ~ XVI". The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda. Vol. 7. Advaita Ashrama.
  23. 1 2 "Inauguration of Higher Secondary Course in BRKM". Retrieved 22 June 2018.
  24. ↑ "Inauguration Of A Relievo Of Sri Ramakrishna's Monastic Disciples: Baranagar". belurmath.org. 26 March 2021. Retrieved 6 May 2021.
  25. ↑ "Inauguration Of Showroom-Cum-Sales Counter : Baranagar Mission". belurmath.org. 7 October 2023. Retrieved 15 November 2023.
  26. ↑ "Baranagore Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama High School (H. S.)". 9 July 2016. Retrieved 1 December 2019.
  27. 1 2 "Inauguration of Higher Secondary course, Baranagar RKM, June 2018". belurmath.org. Belur Math. 24 January 2020. Retrieved 6 September 2021.
  28. ↑ "Baranagore Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama High School". Facebook. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  29. ↑ "Baranagore Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama High School". Facebook. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  30. ↑ Swami, Resident (15 January 2011). "Swami Tathagatananda". Vedanta Society of New York. Retrieved 3 December 2019.
  31. 1 2 Mitra, Bishwabijoy (27 July 2019). "Shiboprosad on the inspiration behind his upcoming film". Times of India. Retrieved 1 December 2019.
  32. ↑ "Swachha Bharat Abhiyan, Baranagar". 31 July 2018. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  33. ↑ "COVID-19 Pandemic Relief Services By Ramakrishna Mission, Baranagar". 21 April 2020. Retrieved 6 August 2020.
  34. ↑ "আক্রান্তদের পাশে বরানগর রামকৃষ্ণ মিশন প্রাক্তনীরা" (in Bengali). Sangbad Pratidin. 24 May 2021. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
  35. ↑ "Baranagar Mission: Amphan Cyclone Relief Services". 13 June 2020. Retrieved 6 August 2020.
  36. ↑ "Blankets Distribution: Baranagar Mission, Nov '21 – Jan '22". Belur Math. 4 February 2022. Retrieved 12 March 2022.
  37. ↑ "Eye Camp: Baranagar Mission, August 2022". Belur Math. 22 August 2022. Retrieved 20 December 2022.
  38. ↑ "Eye Camp: Baranagar Mission, September 2022". Belur Math. 28 September 2022. Retrieved 20 December 2022.
  39. ↑ "বরাহনগর রামকৃষ্ণ মিশনের উদ্যোগ". Ei Samay (in Bengali). 13 January 2022. Retrieved 13 January 2022.
  40. ↑ "National Youth Day 2023: Baranagar Mission". belurmath.org. Belur Math. 25 January 2023. Retrieved 15 November 2023.
  41. ↑ "Religious Festivals & Celebrations organized by BRKM". Retrieved 1 December 2019.
  42. ↑ "125th Anniversary Of Swami Vivekananda's Chicago Addresses : Baranagar Mission". belurmath.org. Belur Math. 21 January 2020. Retrieved 6 September 2021.
  43. ↑ "BRKMAHS Ex-students Reunion Celebration Committee". Archived from the original on 15 December 2018. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  44. ↑ "Blood Donation Camp: Baranagar Mission". belurmath.org. 22 September 2019. Retrieved 19 October 2019.
  45. ↑ "On Gomolo". Archived from the original on 18 April 2016. Retrieved 6 October 2018.
  46. ↑ Ghosh, Sankha (21 July 2021). "Jeet Gannguli: It's my audience who taught me to construct and deconstruct, I'm indebted to them". The Times of India. Retrieved 3 August 2021.
  47. ↑ "Shiboprosad Mukherjee Biography". Retrieved 3 April 2016.
  48. ↑ TNN (28 January 2012). "Celebs walk down the memory lane". The Times of India. Retrieved 28 May 2021.
  49. ↑ Mukherjee, Shiboprosad (15 May 2022). "গোত্রান্তর" (in Bengali). Sangbad Pratidin. Retrieved 21 May 2022.
  50. ↑ "Tathagata Mukherjee Biography". Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  51. ↑ Bandyopadhyay, Arindam (21 March 2020). "Motivational 'tonic' that preceded 'hairdryer' therapy". The Telegraph. Retrieved 5 May 2021.
  52. ↑ Sengupta, Jaydip (16 April 2014). "UAE academy turns to India ex-footballer Gautam Sarkar". gulfnews.com. Retrieved 5 May 2021.
  53. ↑ "Tanmoy Bhattacharya". ourneta.com. 5 December 2020. Retrieved 5 May 2021.
  54. ↑ "নেই কোনও ঋণ, সস্ত্রীক প্রায় কোটি টাকার সম্পত্তি, হলফনামায় জানালেন বামনেতা তন্ময়" (in Bengali). Anandabazar Patrika. 19 April 2021. Retrieved 5 May 2021.

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