A 17-Year-Old Kolkata Queen Breaks the Mold
Dropping Her Surname, Top ISC Student in Bengal Advocates for 'Humanism' as the Single Religion
Meet Srijani, the extraordinary young woman who scored a perfect 400 out of 400 in her ISC exams, and rather than clinging to a surname, she opted to embody a society free from societal divisions based on caste, creed, religion, and gender.
A student at the Future Foundation School in South Kolkata, Srijani managed to maintain a flawless 100 in all her subjects, despite her busy schedule. But it wasn't just her academic prowess that stood out – Srijani also took part in the Women Reclaim the Night movement on August 14, following the gruesome attack on an RG Kar medical student.
Srijani, a resident of Ranikuthi in Kolkata's Tollygunge area, explained her decision to disregard her surname as a personal choice, one that enjoyed the support of her parents and sister. "I'm a strong believer in a society that stands above the divides of caste, gender, and religion, and moves beyond economic status. For me, a surname doesn't mean anything. I've never gone by anything other than my name among my friends and loved ones. Why lug around the baggage of a surname? I'm fortunate to have the complete backing of my family," shared Srijani with PTI.
Her father, Debashis Goswami, an Indian Statistical Institute (ISI) professor and a Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar laureate, and mother, Gopa Mukherjee, an assistant professor of Gurudas College, could not have been prouder of their daughter's accomplishment and her values.
"Both my daughters embody the values and beliefs we instilled in them from birth. I myself have chosen not to use my husband's surname. When we filled out our daughters' birth certificates, we omitted any surname. We envision a society free from the prejudices of patriarchy and chauvinism," Ms. Mukherjee stated.
Ms. Mukherjee and her daughters were active participants in the RG Kar protests. "Joining the ‘Reclaim the Night’ protest with thousands of fellow citizens seeking justice for the RG Kar victim has never clashed with my academic endeavors," said Ms. Mukherjee.
Srijani, who dreams of delving deep into the realms of pure science like her father, shares that she has never seen herself as your typical diligent student. "Beyond study hours, I'd always find time for leisurely conversations with my parents, sister, and close friends," she noted.
When queried about her stance on religion, she added, "I listed ‘Humanism’ in the 'religion' section on the application form."
A school official from Future Foundation, Regent Park, admitted, "We have no issue if a student decides against using a surname. This is well within the law."
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by our team and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Background:
A Radical Idea in a Traditional Landscape
Srijani's decision to drop her surname and declare herself a humanist reflects a significant trend in Indian society, where a growing number of people are challenging the centuries-old hierarchy and prejudice that stems from caste, gender, and religion.
The Echoes of Caste and Surnames: Historically, surnames in India often reflected family lineage and caste affiliations, with caste playing a crucial role in governing access to resources, opportunities, and social standing. By forgoing her surname, Srijani echoes the sentiments of movements that have long advocated for casteless societies, such as those spearheaded by figures like B.R. Ambedkar.
Navigating Gender Barriers: India has often struggled with gender disparities, in various aspects of life like education and employment. Srijani's activism shows her awareness of these issues and her determination to challenge them.
The Religious Divide: Srijani's emphasis on humanism demonstrates a shift towards a more inclusive and secular identity, countering religious labels that breed divisions. This stance resonates with broader humanist movements advocating for shared human values over religious affiliations.
Empowerment through Education
Srijani's academic achievements, coupled with her activism, highlight the power of education as both an individual accomplishment and a catalyst for challenging social inequality. Her example underscores the role education plays in fostering critical thinking and fostering changes.
- Srijani's lifestyle embodies a rejection of traditional caste, gender, and religious divisions, showcasing her commitment to education-and-self-development in both academic achievements and activism.
- Taking part in the Women Reclaim the Night movement, attending the Future Foundation School, and declaring herself as a humanist on her application form, Srijani uses social-media and entertainment not just for leisure, but also as platforms for expressing her opinions and advocating for change.
