A Magical Musical Journey

I was in BITS Pilani my alma mater recently on a nostalgic journey for pleasure and a bit of business. And that provided me the opportunity to explore for the first time an institution inside our Vidya Vihar campus that had touched my heart many a years back. Birla Balika Vidyapeeth, a girls’ residential school which was founded in 1941 with a mission to provide quality education to the girls of our nation.

Birla Balika Vidyapeeth, Pilani

From the time I started watching television a bit after finishing my education in BITS Pilani, chanced upon this Republic Day parade as a girls band was marching past. Did I hear it right? Birla Balika Vidyapeeth, Pilani band. They were our own little girls, our very own for a BITSian.

That feeling of pride that I felt that moment just can’t be described. It can only be felt by someone who has lived in Pilani or has studied here and the parents living all around the globe whose daughters have studied in this elite institution. And then on when at home I have diligently waited to watch them during Republic Day on Kartavya Path in New Delhi always wanting to see them perform. The Birla Balika Vidyapeeth band, our pride. And Birla Balika Vidyapeeth, the nation’s pride.

Birla Balika Vidyapeeth – My Journey

That interest in the school grew over the years and therefore this time I was determined to be there to experience more. Hence well in advance I fixed up my appointment with Principal Ms. Achala Verma and was there today finally.

As I walked towards the Principal’s room I wondered why it took me almost fifty years to be in this wonderland. Our next door neighbor spread over 100 acres within Vidya Vihar campus was so near yet so far as I started feeling the music through my eyes.

Birla Balika Vidyapeeth – The Legacy

Birla Balika Vidyapeeth, Pilani was founded in 1941 with the humble but visionary mission of educating the children of freedom fighters by Dr. G. D. Birla an eminent educationist, philanthropist and business leader. He firmly believed that a nation only progresses when its girls are educated, thereby focusing on making it a pioneer in women’s education.

Patriotism and national pride are deeply ingrained in the DNA of every Vidyapeethian. And the school is a warm, nurturing world where every girl discovers her courage, her dreams and her true potential.

Ms. Achala Verma, Principal

Little did I know even a day before my visit to meet her that she was the same mother who had rescued and brought up Lucy, the specially abled three legged puppy after an accident along with my friend Dr. Bhavesh Verma, Physical Education & Sports Officer, BITS Pilani. For them she was like their own child whom they had nurtured since she was just one month old,

And Lucy and Bhavesh both had become my friend two years back when I was in campus last time as she was playing around. But eight months back when I came to know that she had sadly passed away I had felt so very sad. It was hard to believe that I wouldn’t be able to meet this sweetheart again.

But now I knew that Principal Ms. Achala Verma would certainly be someone full of compassion as I settled down in front of her for a chat.

And then when she spoke I was mesmerized by the passion with which she talked about her school, the history, the heritage, the alumni, their achievements and the facilities that the institution offers. The alumnae of Birla Balika Vidyapeeth shine across the world as doctors, officers, entrepreneurs, educators and leaders. And each a champion. Their journeys show the strength of values they received here — resilience, grace, empathy and confidence. She was so proud and it made me feel so proud as well.

The Facilities

The school provides modern learning spaces: advanced science and computer labs, smart classrooms, a rich library, art studios and excellent sports facilities including swimming, football, basketball, volleyball, hockey, skating, shooting, athletics and more.

The energy with which Achala Mam took me around the vast campus including this demonstration in a class shows why Birla Balika Vidyapeeth is today the No.1 Girls’ Boarding School in India in 2025 as per Education India survey announced recently.

I have met many a Principals before as well from other schools but none like her who eats, sleeps and breathes her school – Birla Balika Vidyapeeth. And the teachers and staff I met are equally dedicated and passionate about their school and children.

Before we move on let me introduce you to some of them. Along with Ms. Achala Verma, the two senior ladies you see above and who were present to make me feel at home are Dean Academics, Ms. Anju Dogra and Bursar Ms. Upasna Sharma. And how can I forget Stuti, PA to the Principal who was so bubbly, efficient and one who even organized a car drop for me to Vfast on her own initiative after my visit. Thank you all so much and I truly felt honored. Time to move on as it was snacks time.

With Anju Dogra, Upasna Sharma & Achala Verma to give me company, I just couldn’t resist the temptation of these lovely indulgences in front of us although I had just had a sumptuous breakfast in Vfast, our BITS Pilani visiting faculty and alumni hostel just an hour back.

Going around the beautiful campus

Art & the little Artists

The Hostels

Sports Facilities

NCC Firing Range with Art by students and a thought

All-Weather Swimming Pool

The Mess

The previous afternoon when I was chatting with Bhavesh I had enquired about the timings the girls of Vidyapeeth Band practice so that I could try and visit then. He mentioned it was around six in the morning and once in the evening. He would have mentioned that to Achala Mam sometime during the day. Can you imagine the surprise for me when I was there. A special band performance had been arranged at noon just because I wished to see the girls perform. With Sergeant Saloni Yadav the bright eyed sweet smiling girl leading the band and Sub. Maj. Rajkumar, the Band Master tough as expected.

Thank you Achala Mam so much for this gesture. I have probably never felt so honored and wanted and your visit to Birla School for the Pentangular Event in the morning and coming back all the way to Vidyapeeth just to meet me will stay in my heart for ever. Where will you find such wonderful people? Only in Pilani.

The Girls get ready

Now Enjoy this Awesome Performance

Moments of happiness with the Girls

And then this lovely painting by a student Akshita Chejara as a memento to take back

Birla Balika Vidyapeeth. The 84 legacy continues as strong as ever..

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