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NDTV
04-05-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
Bengal ISC Topper Drops Her Surname, Says 'Humanism' Only Religion
Kolkata: Srijani, the ISC topper from West Bengal who scored a perfect 400 out of 400, chose not to retain her surname when filing her examination form saying the decision stemmed from her belief in a society free from distinctions based on caste, creed, religion and gender. The student of Future Foundation School in South Kolkata achieved a flawless 100 in all her subjects. Despite the intense academic schedule, she found time to participate in the Women Reclaim the Night movement on August 14, following the rape-murder of an RG Kar medical student. "As an individual, it was my decision - supported by my parents and sister. I believe in a society rising above divisions in caste, gender and religion, and beyond economic status. For me, a surname doesn't matter. I've always been known by my first name to my friends and loved ones. Why carry the baggage of a surname? I'm lucky to have the full support of my family," Srijani, the Ranikuthi resident in the city's Tollygunge area told PTI on Saturday. Her father Debashis Goswami, an Indian Statistical Institute (ISI) professor and a Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar awardee, and mother Gopa Mukherjee, assistant professor of Gurudas College, were doubly proud for their daughter's feat as well as her principles and values. "Both my daughters uphold the values and beliefs we inculcated in them since birth. I myself don't use my husband's surname. When we applied for our daughters' birth certificates, we didn't include any surname. We envision a society free from the prejudices of patriarchy and chauvinism," Ms Mukherjee said. Ms Mukherjee, along with both her daughters, actively participated repeatedly during the R G Kar protests. "For me, walking with thousands of fellow citizens seeking justice for the RG Kar victim never conflicted with academic preparations," she said. Srijani, who aspires to pursue research in pure science like her father, said she never saw herself as the typical studious type. "Beyond study hours, I'd always find time for adda with my parents, sister and close friends," she said. When asked about her stance on religion, she added, "I wrote 'Humanism' in the slot for religion on the application form." An official from Future Foundation, Regent Park, noted, "We have no issue if a candidate wishes to opt out of a surname. This is perfectly within the law." (Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Hindustan Times
03-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Perfect score, powerful stand: Bengal ISC topper Srijani drops surname for social justice
Kolkata, Srijani, the ISC topper from West Bengal who scored a perfect 400 out of 400, chose not to retain her surname when filing her examination form saying the decision stemmed from her belief in a society free from distinctions based on caste, creed, religion and gender. The student of Future Foundation School in South Kolkata achieved a flawless 100 in all her subjects. Despite the intense academic schedule, she found time to participate in the Women Reclaim the Night movement on August 14, following the rape-murder of an RG Kar medical student. "As an individual, it was my decision — supported by my parents and sister. I believe in a society rising above divisions in caste, gender and religion, and beyond economic status. For me, a surname doesn't matter. I've always been known by my first name to my friends and loved ones. Why carry the baggage of a surname? I'm lucky to have the full support of my family," Srijani, the Ranikuthi resident in the city's Tollygunge area told PTI on Saturday. Her father Debashis Goswami, an Indian Statistical Institute professor and a Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar awardee, and mother Gopa Mukherjee, assistant professor of Gurudas College, were doubly proud for their daughter's feat as well as her principles and values. "Both my daughters uphold the values and beliefs we inculcated in them since birth. I myself don't use my husband's surname. When we applied for our daughters' birth certificates, we didn't include any surname. We envision a society free from the prejudices of patriarchy and chauvinism," Mukherjee said. Mukherjee, along with both her daughters, actively participated repeatedly during the R G Kar protests. "For me, walking with thousands of fellow citizens seeking justice for the RG Kar victim never conflicted with academic preparations," she said. Srijani, who aspires to pursue research in pure science like her father, said she never saw herself as the typical studious type. "Beyond study hours, I'd always find time for adda with my parents, sister and close friends," she said. When asked about her stance on religion, she added, "I wrote 'Humanism' in the slot for religion on the application form." An official from Future Foundation, Regent Park, noted, "We have no issue if a candidate wishes to opt out of a surname. This is perfectly within the law."
Time of India
03-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
ISC topper removes surname for 'humanity': Who is Srijani?
Srijani , a remarkable student who secured a flawless score in this year's Indian School Certificate (ISC) examinations, has emerged as a firm voice against all forms of discrimination—whether based on class, wealth, or faith. Guided by her strong convictions, the 17-year-old graduate of the Future Foundation School has chosen to drop her last name and declares that the only belief system she follows is that of humanity . In a bold move prior to her Class XII board exams, she submitted a formal request seeking an exception from the board to allow her to register using only her first name. #Pahalgam Terrorist Attack India strikes hard! New Delhi bans all imports from Pakistan How Pakistan is preparing for the worst as India weighs response If India attacks Pakistan, China & B'desh should seize 7 NE states, says Yunus' aide Ranjan Mitter, principal of The Future Foundation School, supported her stand, explaining, 'If the law permits, we have no objection. Including a surname is not a legal requirement. Every individual deserves to live with dignity, and if this aligns with the family's wishes, we are completely in favor of it.' Speaking with the Times of India, Srijani explained, 'I oppose every form of injustice—whether it's social stratification, financial inequality, or religious intolerance. Acts of sectarian violence and religious extremism serve only to divide. A nation with diverse traditions can thrive only through mutual understanding, shared values, and equal opportunities for all.' She envisions a world where tragedies like the death of Abhaya, a victim from RG Kar Medical College, no longer occur, where sectarian clashes are a thing of the past, and hierarchical divisions cease to exist. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Wife won't let go of dog, husband finds out why and calls police - watch! Happy in Shape Undo On August 14, 2024, she, along with her sister and other relatives, joined the mass protest 'Reclaim the Night' to speak out against the rape and murder of a PGT doctor. The march was a collective call for justice and the protection of women's rights . Srijani's values are deeply influenced by her parents. Her mother, Gopa Mukherjee, is an assistant professor at Gurudas College, while her father, Debasish Goswami, is a mathematician at the Indian Statistical Institute and a recipient of the 2012 Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award. Mukherjee shared, 'I never changed my last name after getting married. Our children were free to choose either of our surnames, but my husband and I are fundamentally opposed to patriarchal norms and the caste system. We want our children to grow up unburdened by social labels and to value empathy above all else.' She added that when they applied for their children's birth certificates, they chose not to include surnames. 'We've rarely faced resistance for this decision. There's no legal compulsion to use a last name—not even on a passport. What truly needs to change is the mindset. While we still use surnames in practice, our stated religion is always listed as 'humanity'.' Recognizing Srijani's achievement and ideals, State Power Minister and Tollygunge MLA Aroop Biswas visited her family home in Ranikuthi to personally honor her. He expressed admiration for her decision to relinquish her surname. Currently, Srijani is setting her sights on a future in science. She hopes to pursue physics or mathematics at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bengaluru and is actively preparing for the next phase of her academic journey.
