Institutional Distinctiveness

VisionMissionPrincipal DeskHistoryInstitutional DistinctivenessAchievementStrategic and Perspective PlanBest Practice of College

Institutional Distinctiveness

Our Pride St John Ambulance Division

Title: Providing Higher Education scope to working class youths and holistic development of students through St John Ambulance Division.

Prafulla Chandra College, one of the renowned City Group of colleges, located at the heart of the southern part of the city, tries to eke out for itself a unique position. Initially, a three-shift college namely City College, South Calcutta Branch was set up in rented buildings by Brahmo Samaj Education Society (BSES) in the 1940s to meet the huge demand of students of South Calcutta (now Kolkata) for Commerce oriented Education and got its final shape in 1954 by constructing its own building. Being inspired by the words of Lord Srikrishna in Srimad Bhagavad Gita, “Sradhaban Lavate Gyanam” (chapter 4, verse 39), and setting the phrase (which means having confidence and dedication  can acquire knowledge) as its moto the college operates in evening to provide higher educational opportunity to students trying to pursue their academic career while doing a job (either in the form of employment or participating in small family business) to support their respective families in terms of economic livelihood. At present, apart from working youths, the college is in demand among the students who pursue their professional courses like CA, CS, CMA, etc. In order to accommodate these students, the college hours have been fixed by the management from 5.15 PM to 9.15 PM. Keeping in view the limitation of time and the weekly tiredness of the students, the college emphasises on adoption of modern technology in teaching-learning. All the study materials along with video lectures are uploaded on the college website through the e-LMS portal (E-Shikshak). The blended mode of teaching-learning also helps them to fulfil their dream of higher studies in spite of their tight working schedule.

Initially, it was established as a commerce college for employed male students. With growing demands, the college started to offer Honours in Bengali, English and Geography, and B.A. General. The college was converted into a co-educational college to accommodate girl students. Again, with increasing demand, the college opened a self-financed Post Graduation in Commerce in 2017.

While operating the evening college, the College Management felt that the need of the hour for was not only academic progression but also holistic development of students was necessary to make students good citizens. Prafulla Chandra College emphasises inculcating a sense of social service among its students. The most distinctive effort of the college in developing passion and expertise among the students is through the St. John Ambulance division of the college. In 1962, Prafulla Chandra College signed an MOU with St. John Ambulance to provide training and engage students in various kinds of social services. Since then, the St John Ambulance division of the college has been working hard to instil a sense of social responsibility among the students to extend their best possible service when the society undergoes a crisis. It has primarily and principally worked in 4 ways –

  1. Offering hands-on training on First Aid to the students, it equips them with the ability to act readily in situations when such services are needed; the students are given training on CPR, etc. The process of empowering students with hands-on training on various matters continues inside and outside the college premises. When the medical camps are held, their knowledge of this becomes indispensable.
  2.  It organises various social welfare programmes, like free health check-ups, blood donation camps, awareness programmes etc. By extending help to people of localities nearby, the college gains accolades from the local administration
  3. By visiting sites like Gangasagar Mela, Puri Ratha Yatra, etc, and taking our students along, the Ambulance Wing of the college constantly offers its help in managing the big events with their constant medical support and teaches our students to go beyond their limits and serve the society for a bigger cause. Even during the Durga Puja festival, the students are recruited as volunteers to manage crowds for local pujas.
  4. It encourages and provides full support to join Open NCC in one of the 5 Battalions namely,
  • No 1, Naval Unit, NCC, 8, Southern Avenue, Kolkata 700026,
  •  No. 1, Bengal B.N.N.C.C. ARMY, 157/1, Jodhpur Park, Kolkata-700068
  • No. 2, Bengal N U N.C.C. NAVAL, Rabindra Sarobar, Kolkata-700029
  • AIRWING N.C.C., Jadavpur University, Kolkata-700032
  • No. 1, Bengal Compo Tech Regt. N.C.C., Jadavpur University, Kolkata-700032.

The college is justifiably proud of the St John Ambulance, its work ethic, and the way it constantly inspires the students to look beyond selfish interests and serve others. Some of the major events conducted by the St. John Ambulance Division include:

2019-20

  • First Aid and Medical Help to pilgrims attending Gangasagar Mela at Sagardweep, West Bengal.
  • National Service Camp to serve at Rath Yatra, Puri, Odisha.
  • First Aid and Medical Help to pilgrims attending Kumbha Mela at Allahabad
  • Medical Camp conducted on the premises of Prafulla Chandra College

2020-21

  • First Aid and Medical Help to pilgrims attending Gangasagar Mela at Sagardweep, West Bengal.
  • Mask and Sanitizer distribution Drive in the nearby locality
  • Health Awareness Programme conducted in the slums in the vicinity of the college.

      2021-22

  • First Aid and Medical Help to pilgrims attending Gangasagar Mela at Sagardweep, West Bengal.
  • First Aid and Medical Help at the T20 International Cricket Match between India and New Zealand.
  • Cleaning and Sanitization Drive in and around the college.

2022-23

  • First Aid and Medical Help to pilgrims attending Gangasagar Mela at Sagardweep, West Bengal.
  • First Aid and Medical Help to the residents in the locality of Bosepukur, Kasba, held at Bosepukur Parijat Club, Kolkata 700039.
  • Medical camp organised at the premises of Prafulla Chandra College
  • Blood Donation camp organised at the premises of Prafulla Chandra College
  • Health Awareness Campaign Programme conducted in the nearby slum areas.

2023-24

  • Medical camp organised at the Sports Complex, Rabindra Sarobar Stadium
  • Medical camp organised at the premises of Prafulla Chandra College
  • Cleaning and Sanitization Drive in and around the college campus
  • Plantation Programme ‘Maru Bijoyer Ketan Urao’ in and around the college campus