At Princep Memorial Ground in Kolkata, Calcutta Girls’ High School commemorated 170 beautiful years of academic brilliance and the empowerment of the girl child with a great cultural event, marking a historic milestone. The celebration was a reflection of the school’s long-standing dedication to using value-based education to develop strong, self-assured, and socially conscious young women.

The occasion was graced by eminent dignitaries like Reverend Bishop Dr. C. Selvin, Chairman, Calcutta Girls’ High School, Sudip Bandyopadhyay, Hon’ble Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha), Swarna Kamal Saha, Hon’ble Member of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly, and Imran Zaki, Hon’ble Secretary, St. Stephen’s School. Basanti Biswas, Principal & Secretary of Calcutta Girls’ High School, also graced the event.

 The program began with a stirring dance performance that represented grace, bravery, and the development of womanhood. This was followed by a brief speech that highlighted the institution’s history of producing young women who are strong and socially conscious.

The dance drama The Benediction, which honored trailblazing women who have influenced the school and society for generations, was the evening’s cultural high point. The performance’s powerful message of resiliency, empowerment, and leadership, along with its gripping storyline, won accolades from the crowd.

Principal & Secretary Basanti Biswas said, “As we commemorate Calcutta Girls’ High School’s 170th anniversary, we honor not only our rich history but also the innumerable young ladies whose paths started here. Our mission has always been to develop minds, uphold moral principles, and enable every girl to rise with self-assurance, empathy, and purpose. The celebration today is a pledge to the future, a celebration of the present, and an homage to the past”.

There were also heartfelt musical performances at the end of the occasion. The National Anthem, which was sung as a group to represent solidarity, pride, and the school’s enduring ideals, concluded the evening after the closing song.

The school’s unwavering commitment to holistic education and its transformative role in shaping generations of empowered women for nearly two centuries were praised by the guests. Additionally, they valued the students’ intelligent cultural work, which exemplified leadership, strength, dignity, and compassion.

The evening ended with a clear message: when a girl receives an education, society as a whole advances.

Priyanka Dutta