Raisina Bengali School, Delhi
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A brief biography
Meghna Dhulia, January 1, 2025: The Times of India
From: Meghna Dhulia, January 1, 2025: The Times of India
New Delhi : Over a century ago, the shift of the British India capital from Calcutta to Delhi brought a wave of govt officials and their families to the newly designated capital. Recognising the growing need for quality education within this expanding community, Raisina Bengali School was established on Jan 2, 1925.
Originally envisioned as a middle school, it began with just 57 students and one teacher in a temporary space at the Willingdon Hospital, now known as Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital.
As a govt-aided institution, the school was founded with a simple yet profound vision: to provide acentre of learning for the growing Bengali population in Delhi. In its early days, Raisina Bengali School was more than just an educational institution. The school’s establishment coincided with the rise of New Delhi, built upon the remains of a quiet, abandoned village called Raisina.
This transformation, from rural quietude to bustling capital, mirrored the school’s own growth — a symbol of cultural endurance in a rapidly changing world. It also emerged as a symbol of heritage, linking the rich traditions of Bengal, some 1,500km away, with the modern aspirations of a diverse city. This year, the school will celebrate its 100th year with a series of events and competitions.
At present, 1,100 students study in the school, which has another branch in CR Park with 1,200 students. "I was as sociated with this school since 1996," said Chandrima Basak, the principal. "In the early years, the school primarily catered to the children of govt officials. However, over the past 15 years, there was a noticeable shift in the socioeconomic background of the students. Today, most of our students are children of craftsmen and goldsmiths, primarily from Regar pura in Karol Bagh."
She said that "the admission criteria have remained unchanged. We are the only school in Delhi where it is mandatory for at least one parent to be Bengali, and all students must study Bengali up to Class VIII. For those who wish to continue, Bengali remains a subject choice till Class XII."
Though the years have softened its shine, the school’s rich historical legacy remains as lively as ever as it looks ahead to its 100th anniversary celebrations. "Our alumni from across the world will join us for the celebration event, which will span three days," said Chitra Maji, the school’s secretary-manager. "The event will feature cultural programmes, exhibitions, stalls and a variety of competitions, including painting, music and storytelling. We are prepared for the festivities and have held several interschool competitions, including a football tournament, which saw participation from man y schools."
As the years unfolded, Raisina Bengali School grew in both stature and influence. Each phase of the school’s journey brought new challenges, but also new achievements. The outstanding achievements of its alumni span bureaucracy, diplomacy, banking, corporate leadership, and more.
"This school holds a special place in my heart, not only because I studied here, but because my father, uncles, and brothers also walked these corridors," shared Sushanta Basu, a 1971 alumnus. "I hoped the legacy of this institution would continue, as the school once produced exceptional results, though over the years, these have declined. One major reason for this shift is the growing preference for private schools. We had an unforgettable experience here, and I sincerely hope that current students also cherish their time in this school. I fondly remember the science block, where we spent so many hours. It would be wonderful to see that recreated for future generations." Basu went on to serve as an additional director of health services in Municipal Corporation of Delhi, retiring in 2015.
Notable alumni include Deepak Chatterjee, former Indian ambassador to Belgium, Ardhendu Sen, former chief secretary of West Bengal, Bijoy Chatterjee, former secretary to the Government of India, and renowned parasitologist Alok Bhattacharya.
Other distinguished graduates include Pratip Chaudhuri, former chairman of the State Bank of India, the late Abani Roy, former Member of Parliament, and Utpal Banerjee, a professor at the University of California’s Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, who was nominated for the Nobel Prize in Physics and has a l ab named in his honour at St Stephen's College.
The school has also produced many exceptional athletes, including footballers Anadi Barua and Arup Nandi, as well as athletes like Sumit Mukherjee, Soibal Roy, Arun Barua, Amitabha Roy, and table tennis player Prasun Chaudhury. They have excelled in sports at various levels. The alumni of Raisina Bengali School have made remarkable contributions across various fields, leaving a lasting impact both nationally and internationally.
1979: PPA
Aaya Cong, Gaya Cong: Party loses govt in Arunachal again Sep 17 2016 : The Times of India
PPA’s previous stints in government
The Arunachal political crisis [of Sept 2016] has also highlighted the curious case of PPA, a party much favoured by defectors in the state. With [Sept 2016] developments, PPA formed the government for the third time after 1979 when Tomo Riba was CM. Riba, who took oath on September 18, 1979, ruled the state for 46 days before being deposed on November 3 the same year. It also ruled the state for a brief period from March 3 to July 13 [2016] under Pul.
