La Martinière Calcutta
La Martiniere Calcutta is the La Martiniere College branch in Calcutta, India.
History
In 1752, a 17-year old Frenchman named Claude Martin came to India as a humble private in the armies of the East India Company. But Claude Martin was no ordinary soldier of fortune. He rose rapidly to the rank of Major General and also spent many years in the service of Shuja-ud-Daulah, the Nawab of Oudh. By the time of his death in September 1800, he had amassed property worth over half a million pounds sterling.
So far, Claude Martin's career reads like that of so many other Europeans who found fame and fortune under the powerful patronage of the East India Company. And indeed, if that was all there was to the man, he would have soon been forgotten in the musty pages of history.
However, Claude Martin was a man of vision and he left generous endowments to start schools in Lucknow, Calcutta and in Lyon, in his native land of France. La Martiniere Schools, Calcutta, were the result of his desire to start an educational institution for the "public good of the town of Calcutta".
It took 30 years to dispose off the litigation arising out of Claude Martin's will. Finally, as a result of a supreme court decision, La Martiniere Schools opened in Calcutta, on 1st March, 1836.
La Martiniere for Boysoffers an all-round education up to the Higher Secondary level. It is affiliated to the Council for the ISC Examinations, New Delhi, which conducts the ICSE and ISC Examinations at the close of Classes X & XII.
The school has a very wide spectrum of co-curricular activities which receive as much importance as the academic disciplines. Through this extensive range of activities, the students are exposed to varying situations and issues. They regularly participate in Inter-School Competitions at the local, State, National and occasionally at the International levels.
The scholastic, the intra- and the extra-mural programmes of La Martiniere are geared to nurturing academic excellence, independent and creative thought, tapping of diverse talents, leadership training and a deep commitment to serving the community.
Coat of Arms
The Martinian Coat of Arms was designed by Major General Claude Martin himself. It is supported by seven flags each bearing the design of a fish, the emblem of Oudh. These flags represent his journey over "the seven seas" to India. The devices on the escutcheon (shield) epitomize Claude Martin's career: The ship recalls his voyage to India where, center of the shield, he firmly established his fortunes in Oudh, as an officer of the East India Company. This is represented by the lion with the pennant. The setting sun behind the castellated building on the right, indicates the sunset of his days and the important part which the building of "Constantia" played in his twilight years.
Famous Alumni
Leander Paes - India's only Medallist at the Atlanta Games!
Dr. Nurul Hassan - Late former Governer of the State of West Bengal, India
Enrico Piperno - Member of Indian Tennis team to the IX Asiad; Davis Cup team member
Justice Jiten Chaudhary - Honourable Judge of Calcutta High Court
Rishi Narayan - Member of the Indian Golf squad in the IX Asiad
Dr. Vijay Mallya - Current Chairman of the United Breweries (UB) Group
Pranoy Roy - NDTV Head
Dr Ron Ghosh - former Chairman CSFB worldwide
Ronnie Roy - Head Merril Lynch, Asia-Pacific
Sir Catchik Paul Chater - Father of modern Hong Kong, benefactor to the College
Rahil Gangjee - Professional golfer
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