Ishwar Chand Vidyasagar was a great son of India. He was an ideal man. He was born on 26 September, 1820 at Birsingha village of Midnapur district in West Bengal. His father's name was Thakurdas Bandopadhyay and mother's name was Bhagavati Devi. His education started from village primary school at the age of five years. After that, he came to Kolkata and took admission in the Sanskrit College. With a great hardship, he continued with his studies. During that time, he himself had to carry out the day-to-day works like cleaning, cooking and marketing. Besides this, he continued with his studies under the street light post. He passed the final examination achieving a great merit and was awarded the title "Vidyasagar". At that time, he was only twenty years old.
Vidyasagar first served in the education department of Bengal. He then became a professor. Later, he became the Principal of Fort William College.
Vidyasagar was not only a learned man but also a very kind-hearted person and a great social reformer.
He established many schools to spread education throughout Bengal. His famous works are the Barna Parichaya, Upakramanika and Kathamala for the children. He also wrote the Sakuntala, BhrantiBilasand Sitar Banabas. He established various schools for female education and introduced widow remarriage.
This great man died on 29 July, 1891, but he would ever continue to live in our hearts and minds for his great ideas and thoughts.
