Journey of Ananda Chandra College

The foundation of ‘Ananda Chandra College’ was laid in 1942. It was the year with the turmoil of the Second World War and the Quit India Movement. Late Debendra Kumar Chandra and Late Tarani Mohan Chakraborty were the heart and soul behind this endeavour. The financial magnanimity of Late Nalini Kanta Rahut helped to fulfil this. Yet, the dream did not come true without hurdles. Calcutta University granted the affiliation in May 1942 to start I.A. (Intermediate in Arts) in seven subjects and I. Sc. (Intermediate in Science) in Mathematics. The classes began on the 1st day of October 1942 with 62 students in a small building. The building was on land donated by the Rahut family in the Race Course area. Undergraduate courses started in the college from 1945-46 session.

 On 7th June 1956, the then Governor of the State of West Bengal, Honourable Late Dr H.C. Mukherjee laid the first stone of the new building of the college at the present location. The college got shifted in its new premises in July 1959. The college came under the Government Sponsored Scheme from session 1956-57. It received recognition by the University Grants Commission under category 2(f) and 12(B) of the UGC Act in April 1956. It secured us the eligibility for getting generous financial help. After being affiliated with Calcutta University for a long twenty years, it got affiliated with the newly established University of North Bengal in 1962. After incessant perseverance, dedication and hard work by the Principals, teaching staff, administrative staff and the students alike, the college secured B++ Accreditation (First Cycle) by National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) on 16.09.2004.

 This college accommodates nearly four thousand students. It is running 20 academic departments, comprising 9 Science subjects and 11 Humanities and Social Sciences. Besides, it also offers self-financed courses in Microbiology (B.Sc.), Mass Communication & journalism (B.A.) and Bengali (PG). The college also has study centres of Netaji Subhas Open University (NSOU) and Burdwan University (Distance Education Mode). These cater to those students who cannot get admission in the regular courses.

One cannot forget the contributions of the non-teaching staff and the ministerial staff of the college in its uplift. They have proved themselves to be the backbone and vital support for enriching the intellectual excellence of the college. The success of the college mentioned above is our strength despite certain infrastructural and personnel limitations. Despite this, we have ample opportunities to improve upon it.

Finally, we remember and dedicate this effort to all those who were once a part of this college but are no more with us. May all their souls rest in peace.