Shyam Sundar Co. Jewellers roots for education with the ‘Bela Saha Smriti Vidya Mandir’ in the Sundarbans

Set up in honour of Bela Saha, who devoted her life to education, the school reflects the company’s commitment to social welfare

Kolkata: Shyam Sundar Co. Jewellers recently inaugurated a new school, named the Bela Saha Smriti Vidya Mandir, in the Sundarbans. Set up in honour of Bela Saha, mother of Rupak Saha, Director of Shyam Sundar Co. Jewellers, the school celebrates an individual who devoted her life to the cause of education. “My mother Bela Saha’s passion for learning, which continued throughout her life, inspired this initiative to provide education to children in a challenging and remote mangrove forest area in the Ganges delta,” said Rupak Saha.

The inauguration of the school was timed with Saraswati Puja. The ceremony began with a ‘pushpanjali’ to the Goddess of Learning to seek her blessings for the new beginning and the school’s journey thereafter. Swami Suparnananda Ji Maharaj, Secretary, Institute of Culture, Ramakrishna Mission, Golpark, Kolkata, formally inaugurated the Bela Saha Smriti Vidya Mandir. M L Lohia, Chairman, Jupiter Wagons Ltd and President, East Bengal Club, was the chief guest, who also took responsibility for providing mid-day meals for all 350 students of the school throughout the year.

Describing the school, Rupak Saha said, “The Sundarbans, a low-lying region prone to flooding, presents numerous challenges for its residents, particularly in education. Many children in this area face hardships that prevent them from attending school, often due to the financial strain caused by the environment and seasonal floods. Shyam Sunder Jewellers is working to break this cycle by offering free education up to the age of eight, as well as meals for the children, ensuring that hunger does not become an obstacle to learning.”

Saha emphasized that the company has always viewed corporate social responsibility as a central value. “If we can inspire even a few students to pursue their education, we will have fulfilled my mother’s wish,” he said. “This school is not just an educational institution; it’s a beacon of hope for a community in need.”

The new school builds upon the company’s successful model in Tripura, where Shyam Sundar Co. Jewellers has been operating a school named Swarnagram Shikshalaya for over 16 years, supporting children from the Reang tribal community.

Shyam Sundar Co. Jewellers is a jewellery house that was founded more than 50 years ago in Dhaka, now in Bangladesh. After Partition, the company relocated to Agartala, Tripura, and is now headquartered in Kolkata. Shyam Sundar Co. Jewellers currently has six retail stores, three in West Bengal and three in Tripura. The company has always been committed to giving back to society, ensuring that its success translates into a positive social impact.

Written by Achal Chaubey

Retail Jeweller India Exclusive