In a generous gesture, a former student of Patha Bhavana school has donated land and a building worth Rs 6 crore to Visva Bharati University in West Bengal’s Birbhum district.
Patha Bhavana serves as the Institute of Primary and Secondary Education within the Visva Bharati University and is situated on the university’s campus.
Arabinda Mukherjee, an alumnus of Patha Bhavana and a scientist known for holding several patents in material science, along with his wife Nita Mukherjee, a retired teacher, have contributed significantly to their alma mater. They handed over a piece of land spanning 72 decimals and a building covering 5,000 sq ft, named ‘Pather Sesh,’ located in the Simanta Palli locality, to Visva Bharati University.
Mukherjee, who had been a student at Patha Bhavana from 1951 to 1957, expressed his deep connection to the school and the university, stating, “This school (Patha Bhavana) laid the foundation for my education. I not only learned various subjects here but also found that Visva Bharati molded my life. I see beauty in everything here, and I hold great affection for Santiniketan. I believe this is the right time to make this contribution.”
A senior official from Visva Bharati University confirmed that this property is now the university’s own. The Mukherjee family, including their son and daughter, has generously donated the property unconditionally. The current market valuation of the property stands at approximately Rs 6 crore. The official handover of the property took place on Thursday, marking a significant moment in the university’s history.