Dr. Bhupendra Nath Dutta Smriti Mahavidyalaya

Best Practices

Best Practice – 1: Jemon Khela Temni Je Kaaj: Community Engagement through Sports

The Context:

The locality of Hatgobindapur comprises people of backward classes who have little exposure to quality training in sports. The playground of Dr. Bhupendra Nath Dutta Smriti Mahavidyalaya has a mesmerizing effect on all. It attracts children from local as well as distant areas to play especially in the afternoon. Sports is one of the key areas of excellence in this college and the Department of Physical Education has been adding feathers to the hat relentlessly. Keeping in mind the motto of Gurudev Rabindranath Thakur, “Shikshar modhye Krirar sthan boro” (Sports has great significance in education), the institution has extended its sportsman expertise to the local students to nurture their talents. The best practice encourages the mission and vision of the college inculcating the motto espoused by Gurudev in his song “Moder jemon Khela temni Je kaaj Janis naki ki bhai” (As we play so we work, don’t you know dear).

Objective:

1. Identifying and Nurturing of the talent of playing football primarily for the College Football Team
2. searching of the talent of playing other games among school children so that they may have the option of taking sports as a career
3. to build confidence among the school students from marginalised sections to pursue sports in higher education
4. building affectionate bond with the local people
5. promotion of health and fitness of the local school children.

The Practice:

The training of local school children is offered by the teachers of the Department of Physical Education. The training is given after the college hours. The school students love to play on the ground after their regular classes at their respective schools. Students from standard eight onwards are given the required training. The practice has been offered in an informal manner for many years. But the practice has been formalized since session 2022-2023 onwards when Memoranda of Understanding has been signed with different schools who have agreed to send eager and talented players for training. Students are trained to play different games like Football, Kho-Kho, Kabadi and Yoga.

Evidence of Success:

The evidence of success is evident in the fact that nearly thirty students, among those who have taken training have chosen sports as their future career. They have enrolled themselves in this institution after passing out of their schools. Moreover, they have also excelled in their respective sports activity so that they have now moved on to take sports as their career. And some have got placement on the virtue of their sports skill in (Sports Quota).

Problems Encountered:

The primary problem encountered is lack of awareness amongst the parents specially from backward caste and class regarding the scope as well as the necessity of sports in higher education. However, over the years confidence has developed in them. Second major problem is the lack of requisite number of teachers in the department who act as trainers of these young minds.

Best Practice 2: “Naari hok Kandari”: Fostering Women Leadership

Context:

Indian law-makers have time and again felt the need for women empowerment. Multiple projects have been launched to combat the social evils of female foeticide (Beti bachao, Beti padao), early drop-outs and child marriage (Kanyashree and Rupashree). It is noteworthy that the mission and vision of the governments have yielded fruit so that evils of the society have decreased over the years. However, the women in workforce still face gender bias. Often women face a glass ceiling that prevent them from advancing to the position of team leaders or policy makers at workplaces. Coined by feminist Marilyn Loden, “glass ceiling” is primarily an invisible obstacle that marginalised genders face at workplace. In this context it can be asserted that this institution does not have any Glass Ceilings and adopts fair representation of women at all levels.

Objectives:

1. To identify and promote strong leadership and growth of women as individuals in their own right.
2. To develop the self-confidence in women in achieving advancement of careers.
3. To promote the principle of anti-discrimination and gender equality and discourage negative attitudes, behaviours, and beliefs of gender discrimination.
4. Increase the mass awareness and education on women’s roles and capabilities.

Practice:

The college has always been fair in its attitude to women staff and the employees have received fair opportunity in all academic and administrative bodies of the college. It is noteworthy that in a co-ed college, women employees have led six academic departments without any bias. The academic as well as the administrative ambience of the college has garnered and supported women leaders. Under women leadership different programs have been organised for the upliftment of the girl students in the college. Workshops on art and craft in Collaboration with Pidilite company, cake-making (in Collaboration with District Kanyashree Prokolpo, Government of West Bengal), and self- defence programs have been organised.

Evidence of Success:

1. Principal/Teacher-in Charge and DDO
   Dr. Nirupama Goswami Bhattacharyya (October 2018- June 2019)
   Dr. Nirmala Rajak (August 2019-April2021)
2. Governing Body Members:
   Dr. Anjana Ghosh ( 2001-2003)
   Dr. Tandrima Chaudhuri (2006-2012)
   Dr. Srabani Bose (2009-2012)
   Dr. Anindita Basu (2009-2012)
   Dr. Nirmala Rajak (2012-2014)
   Smt. Rita Nandi (2015-2018)
   Smt. Chaitali Pramanik (2015-2018)
   Dr. Devamitra Chakraborty (2017-Dec2022)
3. IQAC coordinators
   Dr. Devamitra Chakraborty (May 2017-November 2018)
   Dr. Srabani Bose (December 2018- January 2023)
   Dr. Nirmala Rajak (February 2023-till date)
4. Bursar
   Dr. Tandrima Chaudhuri,
   Dr. Nirmala Rajak,
   Dr. Anjana Ghosh
5. Teachers’ Council Secretary and Assistant Secretary
   Dr. Nirmala Rajak
   Smt. Lipi Halder
   Dr. Manjorita Chakraborty.
6. Departmental In-Charge:
   Dr. Anjana Ghosh (June 1999-Oct 2021)
   Dr. Nirmala Rajak (August 2014—July 2019)
   Dr. Srabani Bose (July 2005—till date)
   Dr. Tandrima Chaudhuri (July 2005—till date)
   Dr. Anindita Basu (May 2009-January 2019; got transferred)
   Dr. Devamitra Chakraborty (November 2006-till date)
   Dr. Manjarita Chakraborty (July 2017—till date)
   Ms. Arpita Das (December 2016-till date)
7. SPIO: Dr. Manjorita Chakraborty

Problems Encountered:

Breaking the glass ceiling is itself addressing a traditional discrimination perpetrated against women on the basis of gender. The challenge is more from the society as the women staff have to shuffle their work load both at home and in the workplace. Women have to get rid of the sense of guilt that the society endorses upon them for focusing more on their career than on their family. The institution needs to continue to be inclusive and accentuate progress.