ISHWAR CHANDRA VIDYASAGAR.

Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar (1820-1891) was as one of the pillars of Bengal Renaissance who managed to continue the social reforms movement that was started by Raja Rammohan Roy in the early 1800s. Vidyasagar was a well-known writer, intellectual and above all a staunch supporter of humanity. He had an imposing personality and was revered even by the British authorities of his time. He brought about a revolution in the Bengali education system and refined the way Bengali language was written and taught. His book, 'Borno Porichoy' (Introduction to the letter), is still as the introductory text to learn Bengali alphabets. The title 'Vidyasagar' (Ocean of Knowledge) was given to him due to his vast knowledge in several subjects. Poet Michael Madhusudan Dutta while writing about Ishwar Chandra said: "The genius and wisdom of an ancient sage, the energy of an Englishman and the heart of a Bengali mother". 
Early Life and Education: Ishwar Chandra Bandopadhyaya was born in Birsingha village of Midnapore district in Bengal on 26th September, 1820. His father, Thakurdas Bandopadhyaya and mother Bhagavati Devi were very religious persons. The economic condition of the family was not well, so Ishwar had to spend his childhood amidst scarcity of basic resources. Amidst all this, Ishwar Chandra was an obstinate boy wiith a brilliant mind and he focused his obstinacy in his studies. He learned basics of Sanskrit at the village pathashaala after which he set out for Calcutta with his father in 1826. There are several myths regarding his brilliance and dedication as a student. It is said that Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar learned English numerals by following the mile-stones labels on his way to Calcutta. His father Thakurdas stayed at Burrabazar area in Calcutta along with his sons and money was scarce so Ishwar Chandra used to help in household chores after school hours, and at night he used to study under the gas lit street lamps to save oil for cooking the next day. 
He breezed through his lessons and cleared all the necessary exams. He learned Vedanta, Vyakaran, Literature, Rhetoric's, Smriti and Ethics in Sanskrit College during 1829 to 1841. He earned regular scholarships and later took up a teaching position in a school in Jorasanko to support his family's financial condition. He took part in a competition testing knowledge in Sanskrit in 1839 and earned the title of 'Vidyasagar' meaning 'Ocean of Knowledge'. The same year Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar successfully cleared his Law examination. He got married at the age of 14 to Dinamani Devi and the couple had a son named Naraya Chandra. 
-Challapalli Srinivas Chakravarthy, 26-09-2019 (Thursday)- 
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