RDMP | The Chini Trust

The Renu Dasgupta Memorial Prize -
Winners 2025

Subarna Ghosh

Founder, Nalini Vidya Mandir, Odisha

Honoured for her lifelong commitment for promoting and facilitating education for women, leading to the large-scale transformation of an entire tribal community

Subarna Ghosh is a pioneering educator who founded Nalini Vidya Mandir in 1995, a fully residential high school for tribal girls in Rayagada, Odisha. Naming the school after her mother, she built it at a time when few recognised the potential of indigenous girls, creating a unique model that combines mainstream education with respect for cultural roots.

Over the past three decades, Nalini Vidya Mandir has provided free schooling, safe accommodation, nutritious food, and holistic development to more than 300 Dongria Kondh girls from Class I to X. Remarkably, the school has never recorded a single dropout, a testament to her vision, perseverance, and unwavering commitment.

Her impact extends across generations: students of Nalini Vidya Mandir have gone on to become nurses, social workers, IT professionals, teachers, and community leaders — breaking cycles of exclusion and shaping stronger futures for themselves and their communities.

Through courage, compassion, and lifelong dedication, Subarna Ghosh has transformed the landscape of tribal education, proving that opportunity and belief can change lives for generations.

Maitrayee Mazumdar

Principal, The Turning Point - Rupnarayanpur Branch

Honoured for her lifelong commitment for promoting and facilitating education for women, leading to the large-scale transformation of an entire tribal community

Maitrayee Mazumdar, has dedicated her life to education and the empowerment of children with special needs. After a distinguished career at Chittaranjan Locomotive Works, where she served as a teacher and later Principal until 2000, she founded the Rupnarainpur branch of The Turning Point in 2013 at the age of 73.

Operating from her residence, the school provides care and training to young people with ADHD, Autism, and Down’s Syndrome, many from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. The focus is on building life skills and self-reliance through play-based learning and vocational training in handicrafts and embroidery. Income from the sale of students’ work is shared with them, fostering dignity and independence.

Her tireless efforts have transformed the lives of many students, enabling them to overcome barriers and lead productive lives. At 85, Smt. Mazumdar continues to champion inclusivity, perseverance, and hope, serving as an inspiration to educators and communities alike.

Honouring Our Highly Commended Nominees – The Renu Dasgupta Memorial Prize, 2025

Alongside the winners of The Renu Dasgupta Memorial Prize, 2025, we are proud to recognise three exceptional educators as our Highly Commended Nominees. Their work spans different contexts and challenges, yet all share a commitment to transforming education into a space of equity, dignity, and belonging.

Meet our Highly Commended Nominees below:

HOD

Inclusion and Additional Learning Support,

Pathways School, Noida, India

Prity Pathak

School Coordinator and Learning Facilitator

Aatman Academy, Maharashtra, India

Anuradha Dosad

Assistant Teacher

Jagriti Hindi Vidyamandir, Kolkata, India

Nilanjana Bera Dasmajumder

We are also delighted to share the names of some of our wonderful nominees

Dr. Tikendra Nath Sarker

Assistant Teacher

Serampore Malina Lahiri Boys Academy

(H.S. School),

Serampore, Hooghly, West Bengal, India

Naaz Parveen

Founder and Principal,

Little Stars High School,

Kolkata, West Bengal, India

Heena Aftab

Assistant Teacher

Julien Day School

Ganganagar, Kolkata, West Bengal, India

These are among the proud nominees we had with more remarkable educators!

The Renu Dasgupta Memorial Prize

The Renu Dasgupta Memorial Prize is an award established to honour the legacy of an extraordinary woman whose century-long life was marked by strength, wisdom, and an unwavering belief in the power of education.

Renu Dasgupta was not only a much-loved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother — she was a guiding force in the lives of many. With steely determination and grace, she overcame life’s many challenges and inspired all who knew her. As the ultimate teacher for life, she shaped the values of those around her, through example — leading with compassion, conviction, and quiet strength.

This annual prize will be awarded to educators who carry forward that same spirit: those who demonstrate excellence in teaching and especially supporting neurodivergent children, and who have the rare ability to truly steer their students — not just academically, but in life. These are teachers who nurture, guide, and believe in their students' potential, creating inclusive spaces where every learner is seen, supported, and empowered.

In celebrating these educators, the Renu Dasgupta Memorial Prize continues her legacy — one of resilience, belief in human potential, and an unshakable commitment to education as a force for good.

For further details reach out to us at : thechinitrust@gmail.com

Applications for year 2025 are closed*

Results announced!

Presenting the esteemed Panel for

The Renu Dasgupta Memorial Prize.

This distinguished jury will carefully review the nominations and select the recipient who best reflects the values and vision of Renu Dasgupta.