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Time of India
03-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Who is Srijani? The girl who scored perfect marks in the CISCE ISC exam and chose humanity over labels
In a world where identity is often framed by surnames, caste, and religion, a 17-year-old girl from Kolkata is making headlines for redefining what it means to be truly educated — not just in marks, but in values. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The Topper with a Difference Srijani, a student of The Future Foundation School in Kolkata, scored a perfect 100% in her ISC Class XII examinations — a rare feat in itself. But it's not just her academic brilliance that's drawing admiration. Srijani has refused to use a surname in any official capacity, stating that her only religion is "humanity." She believes that true equality can't exist unless we rise above divisive identities rooted in caste, creed, and religion. 'I am against all kinds of inequality—social, economic, or religious,' she told the Times of India. Her philosophy is simple but profound: in a truly evolved society, no one should be known by the baggage of inherited labels. A Family of Freethinkers Her decision didn't emerge in isolation. Srijani's upbringing in a progressive, intellectual household has shaped her beliefs. Her mother, Gopa Mukherjee, an assistant professor at Gurudas College, and her father, Debasish Goswami, a renowned mathematician and Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Awardee, have long stood against patriarchy and caste hierarchy. Interestingly, when applying for their children's birth certificates, the parents didn't include any surname. 'We wanted our children to grow up free — not burdened by caste or religion,' said her mother. Walking the Talk Srijani doesn't just preach ideals — she lives them. Ahead of her board exams, she made a formal request to omit her surname in registration forms, an act of quiet defiance that reflects deep conviction. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The principal of her school, Ranjan Mitter, backed her decision, saying, 'As long as the law is satisfied, we support the family's wishes.' She also took part in the "Reclaim the Night" protest in August 2024, a massive demonstration following the tragic rape and murder of a PGT doctor. Srijani and her family were among the thousands demanding justice and women's safety, showing that her activism extends beyond the classroom. Simplicity and Brilliance in Equal Measure Despite her national recognition and political visitors — including State Power Minister Aroop Biswas who personally visited her home to felicitate her — Srijani remains grounded. Her dream is to study physics or mathematics at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru. Her focus remains firmly on learning and contributing meaningfully to society. More Than Just a Name Srijani is not just a name; she's a statement — of intellect, integrity, and inclusive ideals. In a time when academic toppers often make news only for their marks, Srijani is raising the bar by reminding us that true education begins when we start questioning inequality and championing human values.
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.
Time of India
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
No surname, religion ‘humanity': ISC 1st girl scores more firsts
1 2 Kolkata: Srijani, who has achieved a perfect score in ISC this year, stands against any kind of inequality, be it social, economic or religious. Acting on her ideal, the 17-year-old, who studied at The Future Foundation School, has renounced her surname and the only religion she follows is 'humanity'. Ahead of her class XII exam, she made an application, seeking special permission to write only her name and not her surname for her boards registration. The Future Foundation School principal Ranjan Mitter said, "As long as the law is satisfied, this is not an issue for us, and it's not mandatory. I believe every person should be allowed to live with their self-respect, and if the family so wishes, we will go along with that." "I am against all kinds of inequality—social, economic or religious. Communal aggression and religious chauvinism are divisive forces," Srijani told TOI. "A multicultural society can prosper only with tolerance, mutual respect and egalitarian ideas. I dream of a society where there will be no Abhaya (RG Kar victim), no religious war and no hierarchy." Srijani, along with her sister and family members, had joined thousands others to "Reclaim the Night" on Aug 14, 2024, protesting against the PGT doctor's rape and murder and demanding women's safety. Her beliefs are largely shaped by her mother, Gopa Mukherjee, an assistant professor at Gurudas College, and Debasish Goswami, a mathematician at ISI, who received the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award in 2012. "I did not change my surname after marriage. For the children, they had a choice to use both our surnames. My husband and I are against patriarchy and caste hierarchy, and we want our children to grow up with a free mind without any burden of caste, creed and religion. First, they should be humane," said Mukherjee. "It gives us immense pleasure that our kids respect our decision." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Google Brain Co-Founder Andrew Ng, Recommends: Read These 5 Books And Turn Your Life Around Blinkist: Andrew Ng's Reading List Undo Mukherjee said when they had applied for their children's birth certificates, they had not mentioned their surnames. "We have never faced any major question about it. A surname is not mandatory anywhere, not even in a passport, but it is a mindset. We use our surname but mention our religion as 'humanity'," she said. State power minister Aroop Biswas, also the MLA in Tollygunge where Srijani lives, visited her at their Ranikuthi home to felicitate her. Biswas, too, was impressed and lauded Srijani for renouncing her surname. Srijani's aspiration is to study physics or mathematics at IISc Bengaluru and she is preparing for it now.
