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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
04-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Why Kolkata student Srijani dropped her surname after a perfect score in ISC Class 12
Srijani, a student from Kolkata, scored a perfect 400 out of 400 in her ISC Class 12 exams. But it's not just her marks that are making headlines – it's her bold decision to drop the surname on her examination form. When asked about religion on a form, she simply wrote 'Humanism'. Srijani lives with her parents in Ranikuthi, in the Tollygunge area of Kolkata. Her father, Debashis Goswami, teaches at the Indian Statistical Institute, while her mother, Gopa Mukherjee, teaches at Gurudas College. Both are proud of Srijani's academic achievements and the values she stands for. While talking to news agency PTI, Srijani said that she believes in a world where people are treated equally, no matter their caste, religion, gender, or background. That's why she didn't include her surname. 'I've always been known by just my first name by friends and loved ones,' she said. 'I don't feel the need to carry a surname that can sometimes show social or religious identity. I want to be known for who I am, not what my name says about where I come from,' she said, adding that she made this decision with full support from her family and friends. 'We raised both our daughters to be independent and fair-minded,' said her mother. 'Even when we applied for their birth certificates, we didn't use any surname. I don't use my husband's surname either.' A staff member at Future Foundation School said, 'Students are free to leave out their surname if they want. It's completely legal.' Srijani wants to follow in her father's footsteps and go into scientific research. Debashis Goswami is a Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar awardee – a prestigious accolade given in the field of science and technology. Apart from being a brilliant student, Srijani is socially aware too. She had joined the 'Women Reclaim the Night' protest on 14 August, held after the rape and murder of a medical student from RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. She said being part of the protest did not affect her studies. 'I always found time to talk and relax with my parents, sister, and close friends,' she said. 'I don't see myself as someone who only studies all the time.' (With PTI inputs)
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."
