Sheochand Memorial School:
Empowerment Through Education

The Ramkisson Family is committed to creating lasting social impact through strategic philanthropy. Our proudest endeavour centers on Sheochand Memorial English School in Banni Village, Buxar, Bihar—a transformative educational initiative that has shaped the aspirations of thousands of students across rural India for nearly two decades.

This project represents far more than infrastructure development; it embodies our family’s commitment to breaking cycles of poverty through education and empowerment, drawing inspiration from our forefather Mr. Reegoo Sheochand, who left Banni as an indentured laborer in 1892 and later founded Inanda Government State Aided Indian School in South Africa—an institution that transformed multiple generations of our family

Origins and Founding Vision

In 2007, our Chairman’s father, Dr Raj Ramkisson embarked on a journey to return to his ancestral roots in Banni Village, where he discovered a community with profound educational needs. Children studied under trees in the absence of formal schooling, and English-medium education was virtually non-existent in the rural area. Recognizing both a moral obligation and transformational opportunity, Dr Raj spearheaded the establishment of what would become Sheochand Memorial English School—the first English-medium institution serving the region.

The school was officially established in 2013, built on land generously donated by our extended family members in Banni. The founding vision aligned perfectly with our family’s core philosophy: “Empowerment Through Education.” What began as five classrooms accommodating 300 pupils rapidly expanded to twelve classrooms serving over 500 students, reflecting the extraordinary demand for quality formal education in the region.

NEWSLETTER FROM THE ARCHIVES

Evolution and
Infrastructure Development

Over nearly two decades, Sheochand Memorial School has evolved into a comprehensive
educational and community development complex:

2013–2017: Foundation Years


The school’s opening established the first formal educational institution in Banni Village, providing structured curricula, qualified teachers, and modern learning facilities to students who previously had no access to English-medium education.

2018: Library and Computer Centre


Recognizing the critical importance of digital literacy and resource access, the school expanded to include a fully equipped library and computer centre—infrastructure that extends well beyond what typical rural Indian schools provide, positioning students for competitive advantage in India’s emerging digital economy.

2022: 15-Year Celebration
and Continued Growth


A significant milestone recognizing nearly two decades of educational impact, community engagement, and demonstrated outcomes across the student population.

2026: Enclosed Sports Centre Completion


The most recent phase delivers a modern sports facility on the top floor of the complex, addressing holistic student development through physical education, athletics, and extracurricular engagement—amenities that remain unavailable across much of rural Bihar.

Beyond Education: Community Empowerment

The school operates as the anchor institution within a broader
community development complex that includes:

Primary Health Care Centre providing essential medical services to villagers

Women’s Empowerment Centre delivering literacy programs, vocational training, and skills development for local women

Community Hall serving as a gathering space for cultural, social, and religious activities

Adult Literacy Programs advancing educational attainment across generations

This integrated approach reflects the conviction that sustainable development requires simultaneous investment across education, health, and economic opportunity.

Multi-Generational Family Commitment

What distinguishes Sheochand Memorial School is the sustained, multi-generational involvement of our extended family across continents and decades.

Dr Raj Ramkisson’s leadership has been sustained by active participation from his wife, Mrs Veena Ramkisson, their children, Dr Vishelle Kamath, Dr Vishen Ramkisson (our founder), Dr Roshelle Ramkisson and their spouses Dr Sanjith Kamath, Dr Himani Ramkisson and Dr Samir Shah, including personal visits to Banni Village to oversee development, engage with local stakeholders, and maintain direct accountability for the school’s mission.

Today, governance of the school’s future has evolved to encompass the next generation—our children Amaiya and Aarav, alongside their cousins Miyali, Manha, and Sathvik—all of whom have visited the school and remain committed to preserving this legacy and ensuring it thrives for generations ahead. This multi-generational stewardship ensures continuity, adaptability, and the infusion of fresh perspectives required for sustainable impact.

Measured Impact and Outcomes

The school now serves students across Years 0–8 in an English-medium curriculum, with expansion plans targeting higher standards. Key impact metrics include:

500+

Students receiving formal education in a region where such opportunities previously did not exist

12

Dedicated classrooms with modern fixtures and learning infrastructure

high
quality

Qualified faculty and principal providing structured, high-quality instruction

digital

Digital access through the computer centre, connecting rural students to broader technological opportunities

facilities

Comprehensive facilities including health services and community programming

Beyond enrollment numbers, the true measure of impact lies in the qualitative transformation visible across Banni Village—increased aspiration among parents for their children’s futures, demonstrable literacy gains, and the emergence of educational pathways that were previously inaccessible to this community.

Governance and Accountability

The school operates under rigorous governance structures:

Local Management Committee comprising 10 community members ensuring contextual decision-making and accountability

Board of Trustees including both local stakeholders and family representatives, providing fiduciary oversight

Trust Documentation establishing legal protections and ensuring the institution’s perpetual operation for community benefit

Transparent financial management balancing school fees, parental contributions, and philanthropic support

This governance architecture balances local ownership—essential for sustainability—with external oversight that ensures institutional integrity and alignment with founding principles.

Financial Stewardship

Initial capital development was funded through contributions from family members across South Africa and internationally, with the complex valued at approximately INR 5 crore (₹50 million) at completion, including land valued at INR 4 million. Ongoing operational costs are supported through a blend of modest school fees, community participation, and continued philanthropic support from our family foundation—ensuring that financial constraints never become barriers to educational access.

Looking Forward: Sustaining the Legacy

Ramkisson family remains committed to ensuring Sheochand Memorial School continues advancing its mission for generations ahead. Current priorities include:

Expanding academic offerings to secondary standards, preparing students for competitive examinations and tertiary pathways

Enhancing digital and STEM capabilities positioning graduates for careers in India’s technology-driven economy

Strengthening community health and empowerment programming addressing broader determinants of development

Building endowment capacity ensuring financial sustainability beyond our immediate family’s involvement

Fostering next-generation leadership among our children and nieces/nephews to ensure continuity and fresh innovation

The Deeper Significance

Sheochand Memorial School represents a conviction held by the Ramkisson Family that transformative social impact emerges through patient, sustained commitment to systemic change. Rather than short-term interventionism, we have invested decades in building institutional capacity, local ownership, and community partnership.

Dr Raj Ramkisson’s personal dedication since 2007, now sustained across multiple family branches and generations, demonstrates that meaningful philanthropy transcends charitable donation—it requires authentic engagement, long-term accountability, and willingness to serve communities across borders and generations.

For the young people of Banni Village, access to quality education now opens pathways to leadership, enterprise, and contribution—possibilities that would have remained foreclosed without this institutional commitment. That transformation, multiplied across hundreds of students and extended through their families and communities, represents the true measure of Sheochand Memorial School’s enduring legacy.

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