History of the Technical Institutes of Belur Math

5/25/2018 History of the Technical Institutes of Belur Math

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Shilpayatana[History of the Technical Education Institutions of Belur Math]

- Swami SarvadevanandaIn 1983, Ramakrishna Mission Shilpayatana has stepped into 20yrs. Every one may ask a

question- has a connection has been develop between the monks and the technical education?India is a land of saints and sages. We all know that they are staying in caves with a view to

realize the existence of god. It surprises us when we know that Sri Ramakrishna is the root of

all spirituality especially Nirvikalpa Samadhi and his chief disciple Swami Vivekananda

preached his messages throughout the world.

Swamiji used to say, Now India is our Centre. The spiritual wealth of India can

bring peace in the world. But it is a great harm to India and the World if it is not possible to

alleviate the bad conditions especially the illiteracy, hunger and starvation. So, Swamiji tried

utmost to awake the people of our country. In order to implement the spiritual motto Shiva

jnane jiva seva in reality, he guided Ramakrishna Mission in this way. In 1897, Swamiji

said, This math (Ramakrishna Math and Mission) will be developed into an university

gradually. He wanted to set up a technical Institute and at the same time practice and teaching

of religion and philosophy. He set up Ramakrishna Mission in order to uplift spirituality,

encourage technical education and to cultivate the essence of religion and Vedanta. So,

Ramakrishna Mission has set up technical educational institutions with the help of monks of

this order. Their aim is to practical implementation of Vedanta.

In 1921, a technical school named Industrial School was set up at Belur Math which

was conceived by Swamiji. At that time Ramakrishna Mission Saradapith was not

established. Different types of technical know-how such as weaving, toy making, tailoring

and dyeing were taught to the poor boys free of cost. The brother monks of Swamijidedicated themselves in this hard task saying Bohujana Hitaya, Bohujana Sukhaya. Swami

Shivananda, the direct disciple of Sri Ramakrishna became the first president of this

industrial school.

The thoughts of Swamiji pervaded the air of Belur Math. It was Swami

Bimuktanandaji who was the Pran Purush of Saradapith. Rev. Upen Maharaj dedicated

himself to set up technical Institute and a full-fledged university. The then President Swami

Birajananda laid the foundation of Vidyamandira on 4 th January, 1940, the auspicious

birthday of Swamiji, after acquiring a land between Belur Math and G.T. Road. In 1941,

Ramakrishna Mission Saradapith was established. In the history of Saradapith, the names of

three dedicated monks Swami Birajanandaji, Swami Achalanandaji and SwamiBimuktanandaji are remembered with deep respect.

It was the War-Technical-Branch of Saradapith, which was transformed into

Shilpamandira where 175 students learnt carpentry, electrician and fitting. There used to be

two hostels where 76 students used to stay. Others stayed in a rented house. Thus, the spread

of technical education and formation of character started. In the year 1945, (14thApril) the

five departments of Industrial School of Belur Math namely weaving, dyeing, cabinet and

Toy making, Tailoring were joined in Shilpamandira. In that year, (1945) Mahesh Chandra

Technical School was started. The dedicated devotee of Calcutta, Mahesh Ch. Bhattacharyya

donated an amount by which students were taught Turning, Fitting, Shaping, Smithy, Gas and

electric welding, molding, cutting, and electroplating.


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In the meantime, the Second World War was over and our country has become free.

Gradually, Shilpamandira has become a full-fledged technical and industrial institution.

Many boys have found the way of employment in different factories after taking up

vocational/technical education. In this connection, it must be mentioned of Ramakrishna

Missions service to mankind through technical education.

In 1947, the people of the then East Pakistan came to India. During this period,

Shilpamandira surpassing its ability began to teach technical education to the boys. Both the

central and the state govt. appreciated the contribution of Shilpamandira with reverence.

Swami Vishwakarmananda, Swami Shamananda, Swami Shikshananda, Swami

Samprajnananda, Br. Shivachaitanya, and Subbiya Maharaj joined hands with Swami

Bimuktanandaji in this difficult task. In 1948, automobile trade was started in the course.

In 1952, Mechanical Engineering course (junior diploma) for 2yrs was introduced in

this institution (Shilpamandira) taking 16 students. After three years the diploma course was

stopped.

Gradually, a Research & Production Deptwas started, which would be able to give

attenti on to new inventions and practical appl ications. I t is a matter of great pride for us

that Gobar Gas, Petrol Gas and Sewage Gas plants are all the valuable outputs of the

Research done by this wing! The registered Patents for these thr ee inventions are sti l l in

the name of Ramakrishna M ission Saradapith . The invaluable contr ibut ions of many

dedicated engineers culminated in this singul ar success and in this regard, we grateful ly

recall the services of Sri Praful la Chandra Sen, Sr i Desai, Sri Borat, Dr A C Sen and Sri

Mukherj ee. In due course, some amount of producti on activi ty too was started by this wing,

by employing the students who had passed out of Shil pamandir a.

In 1954, the three departmentsCivil, Electrical and Mechanical were set up with the

direct initiative and help from both the central and state govt. This is the present

Shilpamandira. This is the enlarged and developed from of the former Shilpamandira.

This is a financially separate educational institution under Ramakrishna Mission

Saradapith.

In 1963, Ramakrishna Mission Shilpayatana came into being under the

recommendation of Chandrakanta Commission and the decision of the state govt. It aimed to

impart junior technical education to the students of Class VIII. The glorious achievement of

Shilpayatana depends on the dedicated service of monks and devotes.

Everything was going on in this junior technical school from 1963 to 1975. Later on,

the two years, i.e., 1986-87, according to govt. decision, the admission in this course was

stopped. In the meantime, for the last 15 years (1966 to 1978 and 1981-82) the results of the

students were satisfactory. In almost every year, one or more than one students made

remarkable achievement. It is a matter of pleasure and glory that 10 out of first 20 students

have secured ranks. Both teachers and others feel proud of this achievement. In 1976, Higher

Secondary Vocational Course has been introduced. Still to-day, this course is also going on

with technical trade.

We pay our heart-felt reverence to the founder Secretary of Saradapith Swami

Bimuktananda Maharaj, who with the help of Swami Shamananda, materialized the project oftechnical education in Shilpayatana. Swami Bimuktanandaji was the Secretary of


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Shilpayatana till his death16th December, 1964. The next Secretaries of Saradapith as well

as Shilpayatana were:

Swami Abjajananda (Dec 1964 to June 1969). Swami Bitashokananda (July 1969 to May 1970). Swami Shudhasattwananda (June 1970-July 1973). Swami Kshamananda (acting) (July 1973 to April 1974). Swami Swananda (April 1974 to June 1976) and Present Secretary Swami

Smaranananda (4th July 1976 - ).

Swami Shamananda was initially Asst. Secretary and afterwards Treasurer till his

death on 24th December 1978. We pay our homage to the monks who helped the institution

to achieve its goal. The first Superintendent of this institution since its inception was Sri K.

K. Sengupta (02.01.1964 to 10.01.1966). Then Br. Sisir Maharaj who held the chair from

25.07.1966 to 06.10.1967) and from 01.07.1968 Sri Mrinal Kanti Majumdar was the

Superintendent. The part-time Super was Sri S. N. Basu (1966 and again in 1967-68).

Since its setup, the govt. granted Rs. 4,26,000/- for purchasing machine, furniture and

making of workshop building. Another Rs. 20,000/- is needed to purchase machine but till

now no govt. grant is available. The building is owned to Saradapith. The building where the

two courses are run is not sufficient for the student accommodation.

Though Shilpayatana was born in 1963, still its beginning was started in 1921 as a

technical school. It is the dream of Swamiji. It is our sincere prayer to Thakur that this

Shilpayatana, remembering its past glory, will enter into a bigger sphere to perform its duty

to all. Lastly, we pray to Swamiji to give us strength to develop the institution in a better way.

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Translated by: Sri Subir Kumar Adhikari

Documents

History of the Technical Institutes of Belur Math