'Bela Saha Smriti Vidya Mandir', a primary school in a remote corner of the Sundarbans area, opened its doors - under this new name - on Monday, 3rd January.

'Bela Saha Smriti Vidya Mandir', a CSR initiative of Shyam Sundar Co Jewellers, is named after a person who - in her lifetime - was driven by the power of knowledge and continues to inspire a legion of followers - people whose lives she had touched - to keep furthering that cause.

And the inauguration of the school, timed with Saraswati Puja this year, began with a 'pushpanjali' to the Goddess of learning to seek her blessings for the new beginning and its journey thereafter.

The programme of the day included the release of a flight of pigeons and unfurling of the school flag.

Swami Suparnananda Ji Maharaj, Secretary, Institute of Culture, Ramakrishna Mission, Golpark, Kolkata graced the occasion as inaugurator of the Bela Saha Smriti Vidya Mandir.

Mr M L Lohia, Chairman, Jupiter Wagons Ltd and President, East Bengal Club, graced the occasion as Chief Guest, Debabrata Sarkar, East Bengal Club, Dr. Sujit Roy, ex in charge, Goenka College of Commerce, kolkata, Yogi Biswa, Biswa Yoga and Dr. Dipankar Mondal, Secretary, Sundarban Binodpur Shibom Society was there as Guests-of-honour.

"I feel really privileged to be a part of this initative of the Saha family who have adopted this school and I look forward to being by their side", said Mr M L Lohia, an entrepreneur par excellence who has attained great heights with single-minded devotion to his mission in life - and is, therefore,  an ideal role model for the little learners to look up to.

"The Saha family has always been committed to the cause of society", said Swami Suparnananda Ji, adding, "And I am happy to be here and bless this complete adoption of the school which is yet another noble initiative of theirs."

Swami-ji further said, "I also bless Mr M L Lohia for taking the responsibility of providing midday meals - round the year - for all the 350 students of the school. I also bless Sundarban Binodpur Shibom Society to run the Vidya Mandir."

"Bela Saha, my dear departed mother, was really driven by the power of education which made her excel in studies - first as a topper in school and then going to college, eighteen years after her marriage, to complete her graduation with distinction",  said Rupak Saha, her only son

 and Director of Shyam Sundar Co Jewellers, adding, "Thereafter, she was always available to extend a helping hand for meritorious students in their pursuit of higher studies - including Moon Sutradhar, a student from a remote corner of Tripura who went on to outshine her classmates at Miranda House in New Delhi ”

"Bela Saha was really a mother figure to many a beneficiary of her love and affection - specially for meritorious students", said her daughter Sucharita Roy, adding, "And, being emotionally attached to  this school that is named in her memory, we are committed to work towards making 'Bela Saha Smriti Vidya Mandir' live up to its name."