HISTORY OF PRITILATA WADDEDAR MAHAVIDYALAYA

By tradition in its origin, education is boundless as the sea. Since the Vedic era to this day education is continuing and adopting all the eternal, traditional & modern aspects. In our country public education system was started many years ago and from the ancient ‘toll’ culture it has been converted to School, College and University based modern education system. Without the cultivation of education no society can exist for a long.

Some academic monger of Panikhali & its nearby area were in a motto to establish a Govt. Aided General Degree College at Panikhali. After many sacrifices & communication, on 15th June 2007 they succeeded in establishing “Pritilata Mahila Mahavidyalaya”, for the education of girls’ students by getting the affiliation from University of Kalyani. The college was named after Pritilata Waddedar (1911-1932), a Bengali revolutionary nationalist who dedicated her life at the age of 21 for the freedom movement of the nation. The brave lady is an ideal and a beacon of light for women. Inspired by the ideals of this distinguished lady, the initial mission of the college was to encourage the empowerment of women through higher education & social consciousness. Thus, the college was re- named as ‘Pritilata Mahila Mahavidyalaya’. However, the idealism & dedication of this patriotic young woman (for the Indian independence movement) is not limited for the inspiration of women alone. Indeed her tale has an universal inspiration for the youth of the society, irrespective of gender or social standing.

In 2011, the status of the college was changed to Co-education & the name of the college was changed to ‘Pritilata Waddedar Mahavidyalaya’. Presently, our mission is to flourish in the academic field by providing quality education, comprehending the training of the mind, heart and body, and to encourage the empowerment of all type of students (Boys & Girls), so that they can establish their opinion with authority and position.

As there was no college within 15 kilometres (approx.) of area, there was a serious need of the college at this locality. The support of local villagers & academic mongers as well as from different Govt. Department helped a lot to overcome many obstacles to establish this college. Initially, the classes were organized at Jugal Kishore S. S. Sikhyatan. After that with the financial aid from Rajyasabha M.P Khabiruddin Ahammed and local M.L.A Debendranath Biswas, the college’s own building & infrastructure was developed. In the year 2009, the classes and administrative work was shifted to the present premises. Many local people helped the college with donations & significant support.

After 2014, the 2nd phase of infrastructural development started in the college. Local M.L.A & the Ex-President of the Organizing Committee of the college, Mr. Samir Kumar Poddar had extended his helping hands toward the college providing drinking water facility, boundary wall, class room & many other support in the administrative aspects. Also, we are privileged to acknowledge the active co- operation of our Hon’ble M.P Dr. Tapas Kumar Mandal. A grant of Rs. 10 lakh from M.P LAD for constructing the 1st floor in the College significantly upgraded the rudimentary structure of this College. Apart from this, S.D.O, Ranaghat, Sri Prasenjit Chakraborty, the D.D.O of this college, B.D.O, Ranaghat-II –Smt. Silpi Sinha, Youth Officer, Jugal Kishore Gram Panchayat, BL&LRO, Zilla Parishad & many other departments & well- wishers, DPI, Jt DPI, Higher Education Department, Govt. of West Bengal, University of Kalyani & many other sectors are helping us continuously in various ways.

In the beginning, the classes were taken by part-time teachers as well as some guest teachers in Bengali, English, History, Political Science and Philosophy. Official work was done by the members of the Organizing Committee and temporary non-teaching staff. There was no whole time lecturer, Principal or non teaching staff. However, after much communication to the concerned departments as well as Higher Education Department, Govt. of West Bengal, the college had appointed non-teaching staff in 2011 and also got the co-education status in the same year. In the year 2013 -2014 the college got permission from the University of Kalyani to start new course of Honours in Bengali and History. In the year 2014, the college also got two Assistant Professors in Political Science & Bengali. In August 2015, the first Principal joined the Institution.

Subsequently, in 2016 & 2017, Assistant Professors in Philosophy & in English had joined this college. Four Guest Lecturers in different subjects had been appointed by the college. Thus, a family of teachers, non-teaching staff (seven members) & students 800(approx) has been formed where mutual respect and bonding is the main capital.

The Library infrastructure and office automation as well as academic infrastructure is in the process of being developed rapidly. The college had installed ‘COSA’ software in 2014. At present the Drawing & Disbursing Officer (D.D.O) of the College is the honorable S.D.O, Ranaghat, Nadia. The college has sufficient carpet area of 17 Bigha for its infrastructure development and naturally holds a very nice refreshing environment. There is a large pond in the college which conserves the ecosystem of the environment of the College. In the academic year 2016-2017 the college introduced three new subjects ----Eng (Hons), Education (Gen), & Physical Education (Gen). In the subsequent academic session (2017-2018) Education (Hons) & Sanskrit (Gen) subject was introduced.

The College has also been successfully running post-graduate courses in Bengali, English, History & Education since 2016-2017 under Open & Distance Learning mode, where study materials can be obtained (free of cost) along with effective counselling of subject experts.

At present the college plays a vital role in education as well as in social activities through National Service Scheme (NSS) in the Panikhali and its nearby locality. Also it has many plans & programmes so as to transform the college into an effective, modern institution.