Shri Himchandbhai Shah

The Gujarati medium school was the need to fulfill the then new migrant families from Gujarat who had come to Bengal. In 1945 Shri Himchandbhai Shah, Saudamanibhan and some well wishers of the Gujarati community opened a Montessori School with a vision to provide quality education to the children of the Gujarati Community.

On 31st August 1945 the school registered under the society's registration Act. 1860 as “Shree Bhawanipur Gujarati Balmandir”. The managing committee by constitution is a ladies forum. It is the self less service by the honorable ladies members of the Gujarati Community of Kolkata over last 60 years, Shree Bhawanipur Gujarati Balmandir has been silently serving the noble cause of providing vital education and moral foundation for our children.

While fostering motherly care to the students, the Institution grew from a very modest beginning made in the pre Independent India into a well formed DMontessor, Primary school and keeping pace always with the changing time and Technology.

The Institution was borne out of the self less social need of the Society and inspite of providing costly and well comparable facilities, all these are offered that a low cost to the students coming from lower and middle income group. Society has valued the usefulness of Balmandir and has always come forward with meaningful participation.

Smt.Shantabahen Patel

Balmandir started in a small way in one room in 7a, Elgin Road with only 5 children of age group 3 to 4 years. The selfless contribution of our Guruji , Shri Ambalal Rawal an the able guidance, trained supervision and devoted service of Smt.Shantabahen Patel a very well respected figure in the educational circle of Kolkata, "Balmandir" a Gujarati medium Co-educational school became a beloved and trusted name for a those associated with it, due to the homely environment and loving care children received here.

With the increase in the number of students the school shifted to 25 Justice Chandra Madav Road ,a bigger premises.

In 1952 the school moved to its own premises located at 20/1, Ram Mohan Dutta Road,Kolkata-700020, with over the 100students. By 1961 “Balmandir” served over 600 students studying up to class IV. Such was the popularity. With education becoming a Global competition and English being the International language, the medium of instruction was changed from Gujarati to English in 1984.

In the year 2000 Balmandir opened its door to the children of the other communities to expose children to mix culture.

In 2004 in its Diamond Jubilee year Balmandir became a high school under the newly christened name “VIDYANJALI”.

                                                                                                  Shantabahen Patel
                                                                                                  with children,1945                                                                                                   batch