Institutional Distinctiveness The initiatives for setting up an institution of higher learning in Baruipur began in the light of philanthropy as early as 1954. A group of local visionaries under the guidance of Kalika Chaitanya Bhrambhachari Mahashaya toiled hard for realizing the dream. They donated land and extended monetary assistance towards the foundation of this Institution of higher education. So the principle of selfless service to the community was ingrained since the very genesis of Baruipur College, and the present stakeholders of the college are committed to the uninterrupted continuity of that philosophy. Their efforts finally culminated into the formal setting up of the college on 19.09.1981, the day Baruipur College received its affiliation from the University of Calcutta and the Government of West Bengal. The foundation stone was laid down and a single-storied structure was constructed on the donated land to bring higher education to the interiors of South 24 parganas. This was the humble precursor to the institution as it stands today - now established as a centre for higher education for students from several towns and villages that constitute South 24-Parganas. Since its establishment, Baruipur College has been a haven for learning and overall development of students. The college, since its inception provides academic support to the individuals, who aspire for all round development, emphasizing on merit alone. The college takes initiative to provide accessibility to the socio-economically marginalized sections of the society, regardless of class, caste and creed. There is a comprehensive system of education in place to inculcate values within the students through varied activities. Famous quotations of eminent social thinkers are displayed all over the college campus in order to inculcate human values amongst students. The students wholeheartedly participate in different curricular and co-curricular activities which provides a platform for social harmony, common-bonding, friendship, leadership, commitment, responsibility etc. It also fosters harmonious and comprehensive development of the students. ‘Sangachhadwam Sangbadadhyam’ song, the famous Rig Veda hymns tuned by Kabiguru Rabindranath Tagore, meaning ‘come together! Speak together! Let our minds be all of one accord….’ is the inaugural song sung during the observance of the Foundation Day of the College. In alignment with the principle of ‘service before the self’ as envisioned by the founders of the institution, Baruipur College still thrives on the motto of philanthropy. The teachers here teach the students the value of love and community service, besides their syllabus-oriented studies. The vast legacy of love, compassion, empathy, service for the community etc. drawn from ancient Indian philosophy guided by the principles of Indian Knowledge System as envisioned by NEP, continues offering guidance to the students here. We believe in the inner message found in Mother Teressa’s words - “Love cannot remain by itself - it has no meaning. Love has to be put into action and that action is service”. Keeping in mind this teaching of Mother, students of our college have extended their helping hands for service towards community on several occasions. The college serves the community through its three wings – NSS, UBA (Unnat Bharat Abhiyan) and Souhardyo. The NSS unit of the college in collaboration with IQAC undertakes different activities round the year, thereby giving the students important lesson on the principles of community service. Similarly, the other two wings also encourage the students for getting engaged in the service of the society at large. Though the humans are only a minuscule part of our planetary home, but their influence on earth is infinite. In the words of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, “It is our collective and individual responsibility to protect and nurture the global family, to support its weaker members and to preserve and tend to the environment in which we all live.” |