Page 74 - EW-January-2026

People

queer themes.
Future plans. Currently funded by
its promoters and teachers, the
enterprise is attracting increas-
ing community support and plans
to introduce a computer training
programme for students from class
VI onwards. “We plan to procure
second-hand computers so children
can gain hands-on exposure to basic
computing skills and learn judi-
cious use of the internet,” says Guha
Thakurta. The founders also intend
to increase student enrolment and
eventually establish a formal school
to provide free, high-quality educa-
tion to underprivileged children in
the neighbourhood.
Baishali Mukherjee (Kolkata)
Thakurta (rear centre left) & Dutta (rear centre right): quality informal education
Para sports educator
History. An alumnus of Calcutta Na- the University of Edinburgh, who has
tional Medical College and KPCMC, worked with British Opera, is equally
after completing his internship Dr. bullish about BP. “Unfortunately, . GOPALAKRISHNA is Joint
Guha Thakurta began home tutor- successive governments at the Centre Commissioner (Personnel)
ing medical students from Kolkata’s and in the states have continuously Tat the Navodaya Vidyalaya
medical colleges. As enrolments ignored public foundational and Samiti (NVS) Headquarters, Noida.
grew, he shifted his classes in 2014 to primary education. Therefore thou- With over 36 years of service, he has
the historic Jogesh Mime Academy sands, if not millions of NGOs such played a pivotal role in shaping rural
(JMA), established in 1971 by Jogesh as BP need to be established coun- education in India through leader-
Dutta. Affiliated with the Sangeet trywide. In BP, we tailor our support ship grounded in equity and inclu-
Natak Akademi and Rabindra to each child’s strengths — some sion.
Bharati University, JMA is located in respond best to academic mentoring, Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas
South Kolkata and houses a 380-seat others to vocational, and perfor- (JNVs) are a unique network of 661
auditorium and two classrooms. mance arts training. The objective co-ed class VI-XII rural boarding
While teaching at JMA, Guha is to provide good quality informal schools into which rural students
Thakurta noticed street children lin- education to every child who walks
gering outside the premises. He in- through our doors,” says Dutta. Gopalakrishna: JNVs talent hunt
vited them in with paper and colours Direct talk. “A project that began as
and they soon began visiting daily a safe space for young children has
and gradually JMA transformed into grown into a centre where learning,
Bhalobasar Pathshala. care and community come together.
As the number of children grew, With the generosity of Jogesh Dutta,
Guha Thakurta’s former students commitment of Prakriti Dutta and
— now practicing doctors — signed voluntary support of teachers, we
up as volunteers.“Beyond providing have created more than a school.
creative education, BP actively works Here, underprivileged children
to prevent child labour and child study, observe, ask questions and
marriage, counsels parents, and grow. Passive learning has become
helps school dropouts to re-enter the active, emotional bonds are motiva-
formal education system,” says Guha tors, and nourishment of mind and
Thakurta. body inspires a better, braver genera-
BP co-promoter Prakriti Dutta, a tion,” says Guha Thakurta, who also
postgraduate of the celebrated Rabi- has a keen interest in filmmaking
ndra Bharati University, Kolkata and and has directed two short films on

74 EDUCATIONWORLD JANUARY 2026