Venue : Kolkata Maidan
Vidyasagar Mela was held for the first time in 1994 on Kolkata
Maidan, opposite the Rabindra Sadan and Birla Planetorium.
Dedicated to the Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, the Vidyasagar Mela is
an attempt to bring alive the ideals of the scholar. In honor of his
commitment to social reform, the fair spreads the message of
education and social welfare. It also showcases the folk culture of
the state. Health camps and seminars are also an exclusive feature
of this fair.
The Vidyasagar mela has given a call for making at least one woman
literate in each family yet remaining devoid of literacy in Bengal.
Bangiya Saksharata Prasar Samity made this novel and exclusive
effort to host the Vidyasagar Mela and use it as a platform to
spread the elevated message and high ideals of Ishwar Chandra
Vidyasagar.
As, it is an integral part of its literacy programme, the Bangiya
Saksharata Prasar Samity took the initiative to hold this fair for
the first time in 1992 at Beersingha, a village in Midnapore where
Vidyasagar was born. Then the organizers realized that such an
exclusive fair which is embedded with the high ideals and
contemplations of Vidyasagar must also enlighten a broader human
society and must be projected with a larger dimenssion.Then in 1994,
the Vidyasagar Mela was shifted from Beersingha to on the Maidan in
Kolkata. In the previous year since 1994, the Vidyasagar Mela used
to be held in Beersingha after being held at Kolkata. In the year
2001, the Kolkata Maidan and Beersingha have hosted the Vidyasagar
Mela. Vidyasagar Mela's basic ideas are spread of education and
social welfare. This is because the entire life of Ishwar Chandra
revolved round these two central ideas. Apart from these, the folk
culture of different districts are known among the fair. Cultural
competition like song, dances drawing and debate etc. are held in
the fair in between the children (St. I-St.XII). Seminars are also
held where debate and discussion are held, the important issue of
social relevance are discussed and solved
 |
|
