SNB Foundation has been intensely engaged in the mission of transmitting Indian cultural heritage to the modern young generation by imparting holistic education for all round development of both normal as well as underprivileged children.
Background:
The background of this initiative has its roots in the rich heritage and reputation of Hiran Bala Shishu Bhawan which has been a leading nursery school in South Kolkata for more than 60 years. SNB Foundation was created in 2010 to provide a bigger umbrella to the school so that it can impart holistic life-skills and learning to a larger section of lower middle class and underprivileged children much beyond the scope of conventional curriculum. It is with this mission that Ritachhanda, has recently been created under aegis of the same SNB Foundation within the same premises with blessings and participation of eminent educationists and great masters in Music, Dance, Arts and Crafts, and Performing Arts.
Mentor and Inspiration of the Venture:
The fountainhead of inspiration of this entire venture has been Shrimat Saumyendra Nath Brahmachary (1946-2012), who was the B C Roy Gold Medalist for being the best all rounder in his batch of 1968 from IIT Kharagpur and also the topper of his class of Mechanical Engineering. His profound knowledge and experience in Indian Culture and Heritage, Modern Science and Technology, Education and Social Service and above all a Global Vision had been the prime moving spirit behind this entire venture.
Objectives:
To impart Holistic Education to Children of both Underprivileged and Normal categories with the following objectives:
1. To equip them with necessary learning inputs and life-skills for their socio-economic development
2. To teach them various aspects of arts, crafts and culture for their aesthetic development for opening up their earning opportunities in future
3. To organize counseling sessions for their mental wellness and also to sensitize the focus groups on social maladies like injustice, inequity and violence
4. Finally to spread the general awareness of Indian Culture and Heritage with focus on Value Education for their all-round development
Focus Areas:
Holistic Education beyond the conventional classroom curriculum and Cultural Rejuvenation of Young Minds
Target Groups:
Modern Young Generation in General with Additional Focus Lower Middle Class and Underprivileged Children including their Parents with Direct Involvement of a groups of Creative and Committed Teachers
Present Activities:
Since inception, the SNB Foundation has been engaged in conducting Workshops and Cultural Programmes in the Premises of the school and also in other leading educational institutions in Kolkata. The Foundation has also been conducting two Annual Cultural Events in well- known South Kolkata auditoriums where the students as well as renowned artists from various disciplines of the Performing Arts participated in making quality performances that made an impact on the audience.
Our annual flagship Cultural Programme titled 'Ritachhanda Festival' has completed six years with performances by maestros from diverse domains of Performing Arts including Vocal and Instrumental Music, Creative Dance and Choreographic presentations. Globally renowned cultural figures of eminence like Padma Shri Ratan Thaiam, Padma Shri Suresh Dutta and Padma Shri Utpal K Banerjee and many others have graced our Festival evenings as Chief Guests.
Future Plan:
With this background the Foundation now aspires to continue its activities in a much more comprehensive and planned manner that will include conducting around Four Educational Workshops and Two Cultural Programmes every year with the active involvement and guidance of leading artists and performers in the field.