History:

Pt. Umashankar Tiwari Mahila College (also known in Hindi as Shri Braj Kishore Smarak Pratisthan) was set up in memory of Shri Braj Kishore Prasad, a close associate of Mahatma Gandhi in the Champaran Satyagrah in 1917 and one of the trailblazers of the freedom movement in Bihar. It was registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, on 5 August, 1955. The foundation stone of the Institute’s building was laid by the first President of India Deshratna Dr. Rajendra Prasad on 6 May, 1955. The building was built with the money given out of Bihar Nirmata Memorial Fund raised by Lok Nayak Jayaprakash Narayan and his associates. It was inaugurated by Acharya J. B. Kripalani on 14 January, 1974.

About:

Braj Kishore Prasad was born on 14 January, 1877 in the village Srinagar in the district of Saran ( now in Siwan district). . His mother Samudri Devi was a pious lady. His father Shri Ram Jiwan Lal was employed as an opium agent at Gaya. Opium was then a major item of export of the province and was monopolized by the British Government.Braj Kishoreji began his education under the guidance of the village Maulavi who taught him Urdu. His father, who had a working knowledge of English and because of his association with the Englishmen, realized that English-education could give his son a good job, economic prosperity and social prestige. As such school was not in the area, he decided to take his son to the place of posting and got his admission in the Gaya Zila School. He was diligent and was always among the top five students. He was also outspoken. Teachers and class mates were impressed by his brilliance. He passed his Entrance (Matriculation) Examination in the first division at the age of 13. He was sent to the Presidency College in Calcutta (now Kolkata ). Unfortunately, due to the death of his father, he returned home as he did not have the financial support for staying there. On the persuasion of some villagers to the members of his family he was able to continue his study. He obtained Master’s degree in Philosophy and B.L. degree at the age of 21 in 1898. During his stay at Calcutta, he set up an Institute where debates, discussions and lectures were organized for personality development of colleagues, specially those who belonged to Bihar. He also used to arrange for financial assistance to the needy students. He had a group of followers at Calcutta.

Objective:

The purpose of the Institute is to deal with cultural, social, economic, political and related problems of the people, especially those living in the villages of Bihar. The idea was also to develop as a cultural centre to commemorate the patriotism and sacrifices of the people and their leaders in Bihar during the freedom struggle through the display of portraits and literature. A photo gallery has been set up and is open to the people. The gallery was inaugurated by the Chief Minister of Bihar Shri Nitish Kumar on 31 May, 2006.

Institute has the unique distinction of getting guidance from several luminaries of the time. Shri Anugraha Narayan Singh, Shri Badrinath Verma, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, Maulana Hazharul Haque, Shri Devendra Prasad Singh and Shri Jaya Prakash Narayan were only a few of them.

Institute is managed by a committee known as ‘Karya Samiti’ in Hindi. The present Managing Committee has the following office bearers and members:

1. Shri Prem Prakash Verma Chairman

2.Professor B. B. Mandal Secretary

3. Dr. S. P. Jaiswal Treasurer

4. Professor Sumant Niyogi Member

5. Professor Manohar Lal Member

6. Shri Binod Kumar Ranjan Member

7. Shri Kumar Saumitra Member

The Karya Samiti is constituted for three years by the General Body known as the Parishad (Council).