Exceptional School Awards North Bengal 2025: The heart of North Bengal resonated with applause and inspiration as the Exceptional School Awards North Bengal 2025 unfolded at Birla Divya Jyoti School, Uttarayon, Siliguri. The two-day event — organized by The Telegraph Education Foundation (TTEF) in association with The Bhawanipur Education Society College and supported by the PCM Group — honoured schools, teachers, and students whose determination and creativity stood as beacons of hope and excellence.
For a region that often faces infrastructural and geographical challenges, the ceremony became more than an award function — it evolved into a celebration of courage, resilience, and community spirit in education.
“It’s not just about medals and certificates. It’s about stories of perseverance, hope, and human willpower,” said Amitabha Datta, Chairman of the TTEF, addressing an auditorium filled with students, teachers, and parents.
Day One: Showcasing the Spirit of North Bengal
The first day of the Exceptional School Awards North Bengal 2025 featured a moving series of recognitions, performances, and heartfelt stories. Students from across Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar, Cooch Behar, Malda, and North Dinajpur gathered under one roof to celebrate the best in academics, innovation, and social responsibility.
Awards were presented in multiple categories:
- Academic Excellence
- All-Round Achievement
- Outstanding Teacher Contribution
- Sports and Cultural Brilliance
- Eco-Friendly Initiatives
- Social Service and Leadership
Each award underscored one idea — that education thrives on human values as much as academic results.
One of the most touching moments came when Rikiya Saha, a 17-year-old student from Kamakhyaguri High School, Alipurduar, received a scholarship and recognition for her extraordinary academic performance. Despite losing her father early and her mother managing a family of three children on less than ₹4,000 a month, Rikiya secured 87.2% in Class XI — an achievement that drew tears and applause across the hall.
Her story mirrored many others — stories of North Bengal’s quiet warriors, children who study under lantern light, teachers who travel long distances through rain and tea estates, and schools that turn scarcity into opportunity.
(For context: learn more about North Bengal’s geography and socio-economic backdrop.)
Honouring Teachers Who Shape Generations
The highlight of the evening was the felicitation of educators who have dedicated decades to nurturing young minds. One such honouree, Arup Baran Chattopadhyay, from Malbazar Adarsha Vidya Bhaban in Jalpaiguri, received the Dr. A.P. O’Brien Memorial Lifetime Achievement Award for a Teacher.
Chattopadhyay, known for his humility and devotion, chose to remain in the Dooars despite offers from urban schools. His former students — now professionals across India — sent video messages recalling how he “taught beyond textbooks and believed in every student’s potential.”
“Once a teacher, always a teacher. This recognition isn’t just mine — it belongs to my students and my school,” said Chattopadhyay, holding his plaque with quiet pride.
The recognition of veteran teachers like him reinforces the vital role of educators in rural and semi-urban India, where personal guidance often compensates for infrastructural gaps.
To learn about Indian education initiatives improving teacher welfare, visit the Ministry of Education, Government of India.
Exceptional School Awards North Bengal 2025: Scholarships and Social Impact
The TTEF and PCM Group also announced a new series of scholarships and grants for meritorious but financially underprivileged students. Over ₹5 lakh has already been distributed this year under this initiative.
Among the beneficiaries was Aditi Das, a ninth-grader from Kamakhyaguri Girls High School, who aspires to become a sports coach. Her passion for athletics, despite minimal resources, earned her a sponsorship to pursue sports training.
Such initiatives embody the purpose of the Exceptional School Awards North Bengal 2025 — to ensure that recognition transforms into real opportunity.
Excellence Beyond Classrooms
The second segment of Day One highlighted extracurricular brilliance. From classical dance to robotics, students demonstrated their diverse talents.
One of the most applauded moments came from Palmu Dolma Sherpa, a young swimmer from Siliguri, who has represented her school in multiple state-level competitions.
Another standout was 8-year-old tennis prodigy Atharva Kachari of G.D. Goenka Public School, who competes nationally despite his age. Their stories symbolize how North Bengal’s youth are emerging on national platforms, overcoming geographic isolation through talent and perseverance.
“These young achievers remind us that excellence is not limited by location. It’s about vision and guidance,” said Sujata Sen, educationist and jury member.
To explore India’s youth sports ecosystem, see Khelo India Initiative.
Participation Across Eight Districts
This year, the awards attracted participation from 47 schools across all eight districts of North Bengal. Entries poured in through July and August, with schools submitting applications, videos, and photographs that captured their achievements.
A distinguished jury of academicians, cultural figures, and administrators meticulously evaluated submissions through October. The panel included names such as Sukanta Chaudhuri, Uma Dasgupta, Raju Mukherji, and Sujata Sen, among others.
The process emphasized transparency, inclusivity, and qualitative assessment, ensuring that smaller rural schools stood equal chance alongside elite city institutions.
💬 Stories That Stirred the Audience
Throughout the event, audiences heard deeply personal stories — each illustrating the transformative power of education.
- A single mother from Cooch Behar shared how her son, once on the verge of dropping out, went on to top his district.
- A teacher from Darjeeling narrated how his students built low-cost water filters during floods.
- A group of girls from North Dinajpur received applause for creating a local literacy campaign.
These testimonies reflected the collective resilience of North Bengal’s education ecosystem. They also underlined the awards’ broader mission — to bring recognition where it’s due, not just where it’s visible.
Day Two: Glory and Grandeur
The second day opened with anticipation. The auditorium buzzed as final award categories were announced, including School of the Year, Best Community Outreach, Green Campus Award, and Outstanding Principal Award.
The title of “School of the Year 2025” went to Birla Divya Jyoti School, Siliguri, for its innovative learning approach and consistent excellence in academics, environment, and social engagement.
The Outstanding Principal Award was presented to Soma Chakraborty, whose leadership at St. Joseph’s High School, Jalpaiguri, has transformed it into a model of inclusive education.
“Our success is collective. A school is not brick and mortar — it’s dreams, discipline, and compassion combined,” said Chakraborty during her acceptance speech.
(More about India’s schooling system: School Education in India – National Portal)
Eco-Friendly and Socially Responsible Schools
Environmental consciousness was another recurring theme at the Exceptional School Awards North Bengal 2025.
Schools like Alipurduar Vivekananda Vidyalaya and Siliguri Model High School received recognition for initiatives in waste segregation, solar power use, and afforestation drives. Students also organized campaigns on climate awareness, aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on quality education and environmental action.
You can learn more about the global framework here: United Nations SDG Goal 4 – Quality Education.
Beyond Awards: Inspiring the Future
What makes the Exceptional School Awards North Bengal 2025 distinctive is not only the glamour of trophies but its impact on the ground.
TTEF representatives announced new collaborations with local NGOs to extend mentorship and digital learning facilities to rural schools.
The awards also encourage community participation. Parents, teachers, and local businesses were invited to contribute to education-based crowdfunding, ensuring continuity beyond recognition.
Such sustained engagement could help bridge the urban-rural education divide — a major challenge in regions like North Bengal.
(For insights, refer to Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) India).
Conclusion: Grit Meets Glory
As the curtains fell on the two-day celebration, there was more than applause echoing through the auditorium — there was hope.
Hope that every child in North Bengal, regardless of background, can aspire to education that uplifts, empowers, and transforms.
The Exceptional School Awards North Bengal 2025 served as a vivid reminder that true excellence is born not in privilege but in perseverance.
The event has now become an annual tradition — not merely an award show but a movement for educational equity and recognition.
“Every story here is a lesson in resilience,” said one jury member. “This is where grit meets glory — and North Bengal shines brightest.”
External References for Further Reading
- North Bengal – Wikipedia
- Ministry of Education – India
- Khelo India – Promoting Sports Among Youth
- National Portal of India – School Education
- United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 4)
- ASER Centre – Annual Status of Education Report
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