Biswabrata Goswami
MIDNAPORE, 2 NOV: In a moment charged with emotion and pride, Dr. Swapna Ghorai, an accomplished academic and administrator, formally assumed charge as the Principal of Raja Narendra Lal Khan Women’s College, Midnapore, on Saturday. The joining ceremony was officiated by the President of the Governing Body and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Calcutta, Dr. Ashutosh Ghosh, marking a homecoming for Dr. Ghorai — both as a former student and as a long-serving faculty member of the institution.
A distinguished alumna of the college’s Geography department, Dr. Ghorai had taught at Raja Narendra Lal Khan Women’s College for over 22 years before being appointed Principal of Ramananda College, Bishnupur, in Bankura district in July 2015. During her tenure there, she earned wide respect for her leadership and academic integrity. Notably, she was the first woman from the erstwhile undivided Midnapore district to serve as a Principal.
Born and educated in Khanchi, in present-day East Midnapore, Dr. Ghorai began her academic journey at the local school before pursuing her undergraduate degree in Geography (Honours) from Raja Narendra Lal Khan Women’s College. She later completed her M.A. and Ph.D. in Geography from the University of North Bengal.
With her appointment as Principal, history has come full circle — Dr. Ghorai has become the first woman to return to her alma mater as its head, a milestone that resonated deeply with the college community. The campus reverberated with joy as students, teachers, and staff members extended a warm welcome to their new Principal.
“It is indeed a matter of great fortune and honour that I was joined by Dr. Ashutosh Ghosh himself,” Dr. Ghorai said in her address. “This college has shaped who I am. I now wish to work collectively with everyone — students, faculty, and staff — to take our institution to new heights.”
Her return has sparked optimism within the academic fraternity, many seeing in her leadership the promise of both continuity and rejuvenation for one of Midnapore’s most respected women’s colleges.
