In pictures: Young musicians strike the right chord in support of Debanjan Share Girls’ Academy

 The musical fundraiser was held at The Glenburn Penthouse for the talented girls of the academy to help them carve a professional career in football

JAISMITA ALEXANDER |  TT  |  20.01.24 : Debanjan Share Girl’s Academy is based in Kalimpong, first-ever fully residential girls’ football academy in West Bengal. An initiative of Kolkata-based Debanjan Sen Foundation (DSF) and Kalimpong-based Share Football Club.

Four teenagers — (L-R) Anushka Prakash (19), Arjun Prakash (17), Samara Mehta Vyas (17) and Mehr Nadir Babaycon (13) — organised a musical fundraiser, ‘Music for a Cause’, which was held at The Glenburn Penthouse on January 11

Amit Datta

2/10

The funds raised through their musical talents will be directed towards the development of the Debanjan Share Girls’ Academy, run by the Debanjan Sen Foundation in Kalimpong

Amit Datta

3/10

In 2022, Anushka, Samara, Mehr and Arjun successfully fundraised for the first time, contributing to the renovation of the residential girls’ football academy’s hostel building. The quartet reunited as the academy required additional funds for further development

4/10

Family, friends and relatives of the four teenagers also participated in the event to support the talented young girls of the Academy, who would otherwise find it impossible to make a professional career in football

5/10

With Samara (left) and Mehr (right) on the vocals, Anushka on the keys and Arjun on the drums, the musical evening had a great line-up of western songs like ‘Yellow’ by Coldplay, ‘Stand By Me’ by Ben E. King, ‘Love of my life’ by Queen and more

Amit Datta

6/10

Speaking about the initiative, the 19-year-old Anushka said, “The fund we raised two years ago was used to renovate their hostel. I got the opportunity to go and visit the Academy in Kalimpong. After seeing the girls’ dedication, we felt they have great potential and need to be supported”

7/10

The second edition of ‘Music for a Cause’ featured live music, a delightful grazing table, barbecue dinner, drinks, raffle prizes and stunning views of the city from the Glenburn Penthouse

8/10

Andrew Fleming, British High Commissioner in Kolkata (above), and Rowan Ainsworth, Australian High Commissioner in Kolkata (below), were present at the event. Ainsworth, who visited the football academy recently, said, “It is a fantastic place and the equipment they have is adequate, but basic. They could do better with a little more support. Thanks to the kids and everybody here today for trying to make that happen”

9/10

Introducing the cause and the academy to the audience, philanthropist Ratan Postwalla said, “The academy by Debanjan Sen Foundation spends about Rs 10 lakhs a year for these talented girls with the support of various donors. But running a residential academy with 20-25 girls is challenging and continuous support is crucial”

Amit Datta

10/10

Husna-Tara Prakash, owner of the Glenburn Penthouse and mother of Anushka and Arjun, was also present at the event to encourage the young musicians

The 'Debanjan Share Girls Academy' is the first of its kind situated in North Bengal that will give wings to the girls' aspirations in football and will take care of their education and other necessities. 

For West Bengal, Football has a special place in the people's hearts. Football started as a sport passed down by our erstwhile colonial rulers, goes head to head with Cricket when it comes to sheer popularity in India, especially in the eastern state. 

Men and women alike, the game has lovers coming from all walks of life, which is attributed to its humble origins. 

In recent years, sports proved to be an equaliser. Both Football and Cricket have witnessed a staggering rise in young women participating in the previously male-dominated sports. While inclusivity is still the need of the hour, efforts are visible as more resources are being readily available to train and hone their skills. 

An example of this is a residential football academy in North Bengal's Kalimpong called 'Debanjan Share Girls Academy' that promotes women's empowerment by encouraging young girls to play the sport. 

Honouring His Son's Memory

The academy is a labour of love for Debashis Sen. His elder son, Debanjan Sen, met with an accident and passed away in June 2011. Therefore, Debanjan's father wanted to honour his son's memory. 

"My son was an exceptional sportsperson in both school and college, and we thought the best way to celebrate his life would be to do something that was his dream and passion. That's when the 'Debanjan Sen Foundation' was created in December 2011," Sen tells The Logical Indian. 

The foundation focussed on promoting sports in schools around West Bengal. It organised various inter-school tournaments that gave exposure to young students. A part of this was an inter-school football competition for girls, discontinued during COVID-19. To promote gender equality in sports, the Debanjan Sen Foundation aims to restart them again. 

Football Academy In Kalimpong 

In September 2021, the foundation collaborated with 'Share Football Club' in North Bengal to start 'The Debanjan Share Girls Academy' in Kalimpong. It was inaugurated on Debanjan Sen's birthday to encourage young girls to play Football and provide education, shelter and food. In the beginning, around 150 girls came for the trial, out of which 25 were selected. 

The girls are aged between 14 and 17. "Not just for the local girls, those who do not belong to Kalimpong, their education is also looked after by us by enrolling them into the local schools," says Debashis Sen. 

The football field was given to the academy by the locals themselves. Earlier, the girls used to train and go back home. However, the foundation wanted to construct a building with a dormitory facility where they could be looked after to juggle education and sports and provide them with food and shelter.