Shilpayatana

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Shilpayatana
[History of the Technical Education Institutions of Belur Math]
- Swami Sarvadevananda

In 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 Swamiji
dedicated 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 Swami
Bimuktanandaji 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, (14
th
April) 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.

Shilpayatana

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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 Dept was started, which would be able to give
attention to new inventions and practical applications. 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 three inventions are still in
the name of Ramakrishna Mission Saradapith. The invaluable contributions of many
dedicated engineers culminated in this singular success and in this regard, we gratefully
recall the services of Sri Prafulla Chandra Sen, Sri Desai, Sri Borat, Dr A C Sen and Sri
Mukherjee. I n due course, some amount of production activity too was started by this wing,
by employing the students who had passed out of Shilpamandira.

In 1954, the three departments Civil, 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 of
technical education in Shilpayatana. Swami Bimuktanandaji was the Secretary of
Shilpayatana

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Shilpayatana till his death 16th 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