Ramkrishna Sarada Mission Sister Nivedita Girls' School

Ramkrishna Sarada Mission Sister Nivedita Girls' School
রামকৃষ্ণ সারদা মিশন ভাগিনী নিবেদিতা বালিকা বিদ্যালয়
Ramakrishna Sarada Missonem Soror Nivedita Puellarum Schola (Latin)

Address
5, Nivedita Lane
Bagbazar
India
Kolkata, West Bengal, India, 700003
Information
Type Girls' school
Religious affiliation(s) Hinduism
Established 13 November 1898 (1898-11-13)
Founder Sister Nivedita
Status Active
School board WBBSE
School district Kolkata
Authority Ramakrishna Sarada Mission
Grades I–XII
Gender female
Colour(s) Red and white
Website sisterniveditagirlsschool.org

Ramkrishna Sarada Mission Sister Nivedita Girls' School or Sister Nivedita Girls' School is a girls' school at 5, Nivedita Lane, Kolkata– 700003. It was established by Scots-Irish social worker and disciple of Swami Vivekananda Sister Nivedita in November 1898.[1]

History

1898–1911

Sister Nivedita, founder of the school

Swami Vivekananda requested Sister Nivedita to come to India. Responding to his call, Sister Nivedita (at that time Margaret Elizabeth Noble) came to India in January 1898. The main reason why Swamiji invited her was to spread education to the women of the country. When Nivedita informed Vivekananda about her planning he felt very excited. He organised a meeting at Balaram Bose’s house on this issue.

Many lay devotees of Sri Ramakrishna, including Mastermashay (Sri M., the chronicler of The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna), Suresh Dutta, Haramohan etc. attended this meeting. Nivedita explained her plan and requested everyone to send their girls to the school. During her speech Vivekananda entered the room and took seat behind everyone. Nivedita did not notice it. But, when Nivedita appealed to collect girls for the school, she suddenly discovered Vivekananda in the room pushing others and prompting "Ye, get up, get up! It’s not good enough to just become girls’ fathers. All of you must cooperate in the matter of their education as per national ideals. Stand up and commit. Reply to her appeal. Say, 'We all agree. We shall send our girls to you.'" But no one stood up to support Nivedita's proposal.

Vivekananda forced Haramohan to agree to the proposal and behalf of Haramohan Vivekananda promised to send her girls to the school.[2]:21–22

On 13 November 1898, on the day of Kali Puja, at 16 Bosepara Lane in the Bagbazar area of Calcutta, she started the school.[3] The school was inaugurated by Sarada Devi, in the presence of Swami Vivekananda and some of the other disciples of Ramakrishna.[4] Sarada Devi blessed and prayed for the school saying "I pray that the blessings of the Divine Mother may be upon the school and the girls; and the girls trained from the school may become ideal girls."[2]:22

1911–present

In 1902, it became a regular school. In 1903, Sister Christine, an American disciple of Swami Vivekananda joined Sister Nivedita in the work. After the death of Sister Nivedita in October 1911 the school faced many difficulties. In 1914 Sister Sudhira took entire responsibility of the school. Since then it has been governed, maintained and nurtured by a group of self-sacrificing women.[4]

Since 1918, the school was a branch centre of the Ramakrishna Mission. On 9 August 1963, it was transferred to Ramakrishna Sarada Mission, Dakshineswar and thus became a branch centre of that organization (i.e., Ramakrishna Sarada Mission; the school's present name is "Ramkrishna Sarada Mission Sister Nivedita Girls' School").[4]

Infrastructure

School building

School's old building is located at 5, Nivedita Lane, Kolkata – 700003 and the industrial building is located at 68A, Ramkanto Bose Street, Kolkata - 700003. In the old building there are 35 rooms and a prayer hall.[5]

Sections

There are three sections: primary, secondary and industrial.[5]

Primary section

The primary section has classes I to IV. A special committee following the Special Rules of the Education Department manages this section.[5]

Secondary section

The secondary section has classes V to X. It is affiliated to the West Bengal Board of Secondary Education. Its management body is constituted following that of the West Bengal education department.[5]

Industrial section

This department was started in 1903 by Sister Nivedita and Sister Christine. At that time it was named Pura-Stree Vibhaga. Here students are taught for free. Handicrafts like embroidery, tailoring, and toy-making are taught here. Students organise an exhibition of their work every year. This industrial section is affiliated to the Directorate of Cottage and Small Scale Industries, Government of West Bengal since 1949 and they receive grants from them.[5]

Activities

Free coaching camp

In 1988 the school started free coaching camp for the poor children in the neighbourhood. Coaching classes are held in the Christine Bhavan from 7 am to 9 am four days a week. They are given a free meal. Books and new clothes are also given to the students. The school also organises excursions to places of interest for the students.[6]

Medical camp

Since March 2000, the school conducts a monthly medical camp. The camp is held on a Sunday in collaboration with the Satberia Village Welfare Mission.[6]

Computer education

The school has a computer education centre with six computers including multi-media. Students of Class V to X use computers here. The school has started computer education for its classes I to IV primary section, too. There are seven computers for this section.[6]

Spoken English classes

Since April 2006, Spoken English classes have been started for the students of classes I to VI. To conduct these classes, five teachers have been appointed by Sri Sarada Math, Rasik Bhita, Shiksha O Sanskriti Peetha, Dakshineswar. Needy students get the opportunity to attend these classes for free.[6]

School magazine

The school's magazine Nivedita Balika Vidyalaya Patrika was published in 2005 and 2008; since then it is being published every year. Apart from stories, poems, essays and artworks created by the students, a report on extra-curricular activities performed/participated by them such as excursions, inter-school competitions, cultural programmes is included.[6]

Events celebrations

The school celebrates birthdays of eminent personalities like Krishna (i.e., Janmashtami), Gautama Buddha (i.e., Buddha Purnima), Ramakrishna, Sarada Devi, Swami Vivekananda (i.e., National Youth Day (India), Sister Nivedita, Rabindranath Tagore, Subhas Chandra Bose. They also celebrates festivals like Saraswati Puja, Christmas, Ratha Yatra.[6]

Publication

Ramkrishna Sarada Mission Sister Nivedita Girls' School has a book publication house which has published some notable English and Bengali books. Here are some selected notable books published by the publication house:[7]

Bengali
English

Alumni association

In 1998 the "Sister Nivedita Girls’ School Alumni Association" was founded for ex-students. Social, cultural and religious events are regularly organised by the alumni association.[8]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Indu Ramchandani (2000). Students' Britannica India. Popular Prakashan. pp. 268–. ISBN 978-0-85229-760-5. Retrieved 9 October 2012.
  2. 1 2 Nivedita of India. (PDF) (1st ed.). Kolkata: Ramakrishna Mission Institute of Culture. 2002. ISBN 81-87332-20-4.
  3. ↑ "Restoration bid for Sister Nivedita's house faces hurdle". Times of India. 24 July 2011. Retrieved 9 October 2012.
  4. 1 2 3 "The School's Ideals". RKSM Sister Nivedita Girls School. Retrieved 9 October 2012.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 "School infrastructure". Sister Nivedita Girls' School. Retrieved 10 October 2012.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "School activities". School website. Retrieved 9 October 2012.
  7. ↑ List of Publications, retrieved 2012-10-09
  8. ↑ "Nivedita Girls' School Alumni". School website. Retrieved 9 October 2012.

External links

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