Baranagore Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama High School facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Baranagore Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama High School |
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Clockwise from top left: Main entrance of school, main academic building of secondary section, statue of Sister Nivedita, statue of Swami Vivekananda
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37, Gopal Lal Tagore Road, Baranagar
, , 700036
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| Coordinates | 22°38′04.20″N 88°22′13.57″E / 22.6345000°N 88.3704361°E |
| Information | |
| Former name | Brahmananda Balakashrama (1912–1924) |
| Type | Private (Higher secondary) |
| Motto | Atmano mokshartham jagat hitaya cha (For the salvation of our individual self and for the well-being of all on earth) |
| Religious affiliation(s) | Hinduism |
| Established | 20 April 1912 |
| Founder | Yogindranath Tagore |
| Status | Active |
| Sister school | Ramakrishna Mission Centenary Primary School, Baranagore (Estd. 1897) |
| School board |
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| School district | North 24 Parganas |
| Authority | Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama, Baranagore |
| Session | January–December (V – X)
June–May (XI – XII) |
| School code | B1-019 (WBBSE) 03691 (WBCHSE) |
| Director | Swami Purnagyanananda (Secretary) |
| Headmaster | Swami Mahamritananda |
| Head teacher | Swami Gatabhayananda (Assistant headmaster) |
| Grades | V–XII |
| Gender | Male |
| Age range | 10+ to 18+ |
| Enrolment | 1100 |
| Language | Bengali, English |
| Schedule type | Day |
| Schedule | Monday – Friday: 10:40 am – 4:30 pm (V – X) 10:40 am – 3:50 pm (XI – XII) Saturday: 10:40am – 1:55pm (V – X) |
| Hours in school day | Monday – Friday: 5–6 hrs Saturday: 3–4 hrs |
| Campus size | 3 acres (121,359 m²) |
| Campus type | Urban |
| Houses | Sarada Bhawan Nivedita Bhawan |
| Student Union/Association | BRKMAHS Ex-students Reunion Celebration Committee |
| Colour(s) | White and Grey (V – X)
Blue and Grey (XI – XII) |
| Song | Om Sahana Bhabatu Jana Gana Mana |
| Sports | Cricket, Football |
| Nickname | BRKMAHS |
| Yearbook | Rashmi (রশ্মি) |
| Alumni | See below |
Baranagore Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama High School (H.S.) (BRKMAHS) is a well-known senior secondary boys' school in Baranagar, Kolkata, India. It is part of the Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission. The school started in 1912 and is located on the banks of the Ganga River, just outside Kolkata. The school is managed by the Baranagar Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama, which is part of the larger Ramakrishna Mission. It is considered one of the best schools in West Bengal based on its students' performance in board exams. The Department of Tourism (West Bengal) even lists it as a tourist spot!
Contents
- What is the School's Emblem?
- How Did the School Start?
- A Brief History of BRKMAHS
- What Does the Campus Look Like?
- School Buildings and Facilities
- What Boards is the School Connected To?
- What Do Students Learn?
- Student Life at BRKMAHS
- Alumni Association
- Who are Some Famous Former Students?
- Images for kids
- See also
What is the School's Emblem?
The school's emblem was designed by Swami Vivekananda himself. It has special meanings:
- The wavy waters show Karma, which means doing good deeds.
- The lotus flower stands for Bhakti, meaning devotion to God.
- The rising sun represents Jnana, which is knowledge.
- The snake around them means Yoga, a way to connect with your inner self.
- The swan in the middle represents Paramatman, the Supreme Self or God.
So, the emblem teaches that by combining good actions, devotion, knowledge, and yoga, you can understand the Supreme Self.
How Did the School Start?
The school began as "Brahmananda Balakashrama" in 1912. It was founded by Yogindnanata Tagore, who was a follower of Swami Brahmananda. He started an orphanage in Alambazar, North Kolkata. On a special day called Akshaya Tritiya in 1912, the organization officially began its journey.
A Brief History of BRKMAHS
Early Years (1912–2018)
Baranagore Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama High School has always focused on helping people through education. It started in 1912 as "Brahmananda Balakashrama." Later, it moved to a new building near Jaikrishna Mitra Kalibari. In 1924, Belur Math took over the Ashrama, and it was renamed "Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama, Baranagore."
The Ashrama moved to its current location on Gopal Lal Tagore Road in 1929. A primary school was set up there in 1934. Over the years, it grew into an upper primary and then a lower secondary school by 1952. In 1954, it became a full secondary school, recognized for the 'Madhyamik' (Secondary) exams.
In 1998, a separate primary school called "Ramakrishna Mission Centenary Primary School, Baranagore" was started. This new school teaches students from Class I to Class IV.
Recent Developments (2018–Present)
In 2018, after many years of hard work, the school was upgraded to a Higher Secondary level. This means students can now complete their Class XI and XII education here in both Bengali and English. The first group of Higher Secondary students graduated with excellent results in 2020.
What Does the Campus Look Like?
The Ashrama has a large, green campus. It includes buildings for the primary, secondary, and higher secondary schools. There are also libraries, free coaching centers, a charitable homeopathic clinic, and a mobile medical unit. The campus has a prayer hall, a temple, living quarters for monks, and playgrounds. In 2021, a large fibreglass artwork showing Sri Ramakrishna's Monastic Disciples was opened. A new showroom and sales counter also opened in 2023.
School Buildings and Facilities
Secondary Section Buildings
The school has two buildings for the secondary section. One is for classes V to VIII, and the other is for classes IX and X. Each class from V to VIII has five sections, while classes IX and X have four sections each.
Higher Secondary Section Building
The higher secondary section (classes XI and XII) has its own building called "Nivedita Bhawan." This building was opened in 2018.
What Boards is the School Connected To?
The secondary section (Classes V – X) is connected to the West Bengal Board of Secondary Education. The higher secondary section (Classes XI – XII) is connected to the West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Education.
What Do Students Learn?
BRKMAHS started its Higher Secondary course in 2018. This was done to celebrate 125 years since Swami Vivekananda's famous speech at the World Parliament of Religions in Chicago. Swami Suvirananda, a top leader of the Ramakrishna Math and Mission, officially opened the course.
As of 2021, students in the higher secondary section can choose between Arts and Science subjects. The school has a computer lab to help students learn.
Student Life at BRKMAHS
Learning and Values
Students at this school are greatly influenced by the teachings of Ramakrishna. A former student, Shiboprosad Mukherjee, shared how a special class on religion changed his view:
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.
Helping the Community
Clean India Campaign
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In 2016, BRKMAHS organized a big cleaning program called Swachh Bharat Mission in the nearby areas. Over 600 students from classes VIII, IX, and X took part. They were guided by the monks and teachers, helping to keep their community clean.
Support During COVID-19
The school continued to help families during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns. They provided important relief services.
Former students from the 2010 batch also created a COVID relief fund. They delivered oxygen, food, and other needed items to patients and their families in Baranagar and nearby areas.
Aid After Cyclone Amphan
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When Cyclone Amphan caused a lot of damage in 2020, BRKM quickly started relief services. They helped families affected by the cyclone by distributing food and other essentials.
Other Community Services
BRKM also distributes blankets to people in need during winter. For example, they gave out 500 blankets in late 2021 and early 2022 in Baranagar, Dakshineshwar, and Harit. They also hold eye camps to help people with their vision.
School Celebrations and Events
Students at the school celebrate many cultural festivals and special days every year. These include:
- National Youth Day
- Birthday of Netaji
- Republic Day
- Saraswati Puja
- Birthday of Ramakrishna
- Maha Shivaratri
- Akshaya Tritiya (the school's foundation day)
- Rabindra Jayanti
- Independence Day
- Kali Puja
- Birthday of Sarada Devi
There is also a special conference for devotees held once a year during the school's annual festival.
Alumni Association
The Baranagore Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama High School Ex-students Reunion Celebration Committee is the group for former students. They organize a reunion every year and are involved in many social activities throughout the year.
This committee, with the guidance of the Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama, organized a "Voluntary Blood donation Camp" in 2019. This event was held to celebrate the 125th Anniversary of Swami Vivekananda's Chicago Addresses. Many people, including former students, teachers, monks, and volunteers, donated blood. The committee also honored doctors who help poor patients at the Ashrama's medical unit and during medical camps.
Who are Some Famous Former Students?
- Abhishek Chatterjee, a Bengali film and TV actor.
- Jeet Ganguly, a music director and singer for Hindi and Bengali films.
- Shiboprosad Mukherjee, a film director, writer, and actor in Bengali films.
- Tathagata Mukherjee, a Bengali film and TV actor.
- Gautam Sarkar, a former footballer who played for SC East Bengal.
- Tanmoy Bhattacharya, a politician who was an MLA from 2016 to 2021.
Images for kids
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Open air corridor of the secondary section
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Interior of Sister Nivedita Cultural Hall
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Biology laboratory
See also
- List of Ramakrishna Mission institutions
- List of schools in Kolkata
