Arannya joined Dr Graham’s Homes as a youngster and has now completed his time as a student in Kolkata.

How long were you at the Homes?

‘I studied there [for five years], from Class 8 to Class 12. It gave me a wonderful education, for which I am immensely grateful. I can never thank DGH enough for taking me in like family – and to God Almighty, for sending me there.’

How did it feel to leave the school after your final year?

‘When all was said and done, it was quite heart-breaking for me as I met all the teachers and Principal Monteiro before leaving the campus and beginning a new life in Kolkata. That last meeting was filled with congratulations and good wishes for the life ahead.’

What have you done since leaving?

‘A couple of months later I got into St. Xavier’s College, Raghavpur Campus [in Kolkata]. I chose to follow the BA General course as I wanted college to be as light as possible because I was also admitted to the Alliance Française du Bengale to learn French. And soon enough, I fell in love with that language. [I’ve also been] able to write songs and perform in Jarvie Hall, make portraits for an art exhibition, and I was even privileged to be the first student to preach on “Principles of Faith” in more than 50 years!’

What do you plan to do after completing college?

‘I want my career to be built around French. I want to make French easy to be taught in schools. So, I am preparing a course which specialises in teaching the foundation of French with an aim to prepare students of classes 7-10 for DELF [Diplome d’Etudes en Langue Francaise] A1.1 exams. For that I am preparing special books and also keeping a healthy liaison with Alliance Française. After explaining the project, Alliance Française has happily agreed to let those school students come and give DELF in their institution. I am making three books (one already done) to be taught from classes 7-10 and then those students are to be sent to Alliance Française to take their DELF A1.1 exam. They will then soon get an official certificate from the French Government coming straight from Paris.’

How do you hope to develop that work?

‘After it’s been completed, I plan to run this project in different schools, establish a proper liaison with Alliance Française and the school administrations, teach French to the students, send them to Alliance Française for DELF, and then get the certificates from the French government and distribute them via the school. According to my estimation, it will bring both prosperity and honour to the school.’

And what are your hopes for the future?

‘I plan to move ahead and get a job, and finish my French course. Besides that, as the books and study materials are made, I'll be running this project in different schools to gain more experience. It is my dream to run FLFC in Dr Graham’s Homes one day. To make the Homes the only and best school in North Bengal which teaches the French foundational course, connected with Alliance Française and the French Ministry of Education.’