PRANAVANANDA VIDYAMANDIR & GAIRIK is an English Medium School affiliated to the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examination, New Delhi. 1976, June : The school was founded by Srimat Swami Sambuddhanandaji Maharaj with a handful of tiny tots and a few dedicated teachers. It was housed in Ambedkar Bhawan (a Community Hall) then at Ashok Avenue, A – Zone . Swami Sambuddhanandaji Maharaj was the secretary of Gaya Sevashram of the Bharat Sevashram Sangha then. He used to stay in a devotee’s house at 11/1 Akbar Road, later on at 21/24 Harsha Bardhan Road, Durgapur. He was a great organiser of Relief Work – Kumbha Mela, Rath Yatra (Car Festival) Mela at Puri, Pitripaksh Mela at Gaya and so on. Beside him, senior Sangha monks – Srimat Swami Joganandaji Maharaj, Srimat Swami Vikashananadaji Maharaj, (direct disciples of Acharya Swami Pranavanandaji Maharaj), Srimat Swami Jnanishwaranandaji Maharaj used to come to Durgapur in DPL area for preaching and collection for charitable and humanitarian activities of the Sangha and this led to the development of Pranavananda Vidyamandir. 1976 : Srimat Swami Advaitanandaji Maharaj, the then General Secretary of the Sangha laid the foundation stone of the Institution at Chaitanya Avenue, B – Zone, Durgapur. 1978, May : The school was shifted to Chaitanya Avenue, B-Zone Durgapur with an extended area of 10 acres with a beautiful garden and shady trees all around. Sri Subhas Chatterjee was its first headmaster. Swami Sambuddhanandaji Maharaj’s tireless efforts and immense contribution towards the smooth running of the school cannot be counted in a few words. He dedicated his full time and energy in collecting funds and involving well-wishers in this work who could make his endeavours and dream come true. Basudev Maharaj and Anindya Maharaj (Swami Jagannathanandaji), presently the In-Charge of Vrindavan branch of the Sangha were also involved by Swamiji in this noble work. As days passed the school started progressing in leaps and bounds. 1986 (12th March) : Pranavananda Vidyamandir got affiliation from The Council for the Indian School Certificate Examination (CISCE), New Delhi . First batch with 16 students passed out (100%) in ICSE exam in this year. 1992 : Srimat Swami Vividishanandaji Maharaj came to Durgapur to look after the institution. Swamiji, with the assistance of Srimat Swami Jibatmananadaji Maharaj, brought the school to its present size and stature overcoming all hurdles. Initially, Swami Atmajnananandaji Maharaj who is now the In-Charge of New Delhi branch of the Sangha used to help Swami Vividishanandaji to look after the school. 2011 – 2012 : Silver Jubilee celebration of the school was observed with different programme during the year. A large state-of-the-art Auditorium was constructed by Srimat Swami Vividishanandaji Maharaj in loving memory of Srimat Swami Sambuddhanandaji Maharaj, founder of this school. Sri Rathin Roy, the then Mayor of Durgapur Municipal Corporation inaugurated “Swami Sambuddhananda Memorial Silver Jubilee Auditorium” in august presence of Srimat Swami Tridibanandaji Maharaj (5th President of the Sangha), Srimat Swami Vividishanandaji Maharaj (Secretary of PVM and General Secretary of the Sangha) and other dignitaries. Today, Pranavananda Vidyamandir is a reputed institution helping young students to set out on the right path and ensuring that the path is smooth.