The Department of Sociology got established in August, 2014. It offers B.A degree in Sociology (Honours and General). The study of Sociology offers to help the students to understand human society and scientifically study the social relationships by which a social system works. It helps to shed light on the various social problems and develops the students to build ideas to combat those problems and foster human welfare. The study of Sociology is indispensible in the current day and age. The Department has six sanctioned posts and there are six full-time professors who are running the Department successfully. Currently the Department has 76 students in the B.A Honours section, 109 students in the B.A General section and 237 students in General Elective section.

The first Honours batch of the Department of Sociology passed out in 2019 where two students received first class marks—Monika Biswas received 65.25% and Debosmita Ghosh received 61.87% respectively. Passed out students of the Department, are successfully pursuing M.A in Sociology from prominent universities such as Jadavpur University, Vidyasagar University. Trijita Sengupta (Honours Batch of 2019) is even pursuing a career in Masters in Social Work from a recognized institution.

Besides academics, students collectively participate in a range of extra-curricular activities. Trijita Sengupta (Honours Batch of 2019) completed 5th year training in Bharatnatyam and has won several accolades in State and District level dancing competitions. Similarly, Suchetana Ghosh (Honours Batch of 2019) completed her 5th year training in Art and has started her own Art School in Jhargram. From the present batch of Sociology Honours, Payel Chatterjee won Talent Search Examination in painting, Suchismita Dey stood first in singing competitions in Jhargram Mela o Yuva Utsav, Mou Mahata received the Certificate of Excellence in All India Dance, Musicand Art Festival in 2018 and Sanchita Manna has participated in several dancing competitions and has represented our College in 2019 in a State-Level Dance Competition. Few students of the Department (with extraordinary participation of students like Monimala Mahata—Batch of 2020) have also registered themselves as volunteers in the National Service Scheme (NSS).

The Department has conducted several International, National and State level lectures, workshops and webinars since its establishment such as—

• One-Day Interactive workshop on The Orange Window: A Discussion on Menstrual Health and Hygiene Issues Through Gender Lens.
• One-Day Special Lecture on Fieldwork: Methods and Techniques by Dr. Elif Kanca, Canakkale Onsekiz Mart University, Turkey.
• National Webinar on The Shadow Pandemic: Exploring the Ramifications of Covid-19 from a Gender Perspective.
• International Webinar on The Subaltern Perspective—Relevance, Problems and Strategies in Contemporary India.
• International Webinar on Internalizing The New Normal: A Psychological/ Behavioural Approach.

Sociology as an academic discipline has a range of career options such as employment in academic and research institutes, public health and welfare departments, community organizers, policy analyst, public policy researchers, social workers, public relations workers, journalist, counsellors, Human Resource (HR) specialists, market research analyst and so on. Thus, the aim of this Department is to bring out the best in all the students and help them explore the opportunities for a better future.

Faculty Members Speak:

“My first posting was in RIDGGC. With my recruitment here, I discovered an extended family. The hospitable character of everyone in this campus is certain to make everyone feel at home. I am fortunate to be able to instruct my pupils at this institution. Our department aspires to bring forth the best in our students and contribute positively to society. As Robin Williams aptly said “words and ideas can change the world.”

My first service posting at the Rani Indira Debi Government Girls’ College has been a delightful experience as my workplace is almost in the bosom of nature. However, teaching here also means imparting education to the students for whom academics comes after marriage in the order of priority. But, over time, an increasing number of students have developed an interest in the discipline, and a handful is pursuing higher studies. Though the number is small, the fact that the students defied their family norms to pursue a career in Sociology has been rewarding. Further, my colleagues and the convivial atmosphere in college animate the workplace, making it the place to be.

Rani Indira Debi Government Girls’ College is located at the heart of Jungle Mahal and is the only women’s college in the area. Jungle Mahal is known for its rich green diversity, so being a nature lover, I fell in love with this place on my first visit. The students we teach are primarily first-generation learners. Therefore, the teacher-student interaction here is not only limited to the academic syllabus but goes beyond it. Keeping them engaged in meaningful discussions and dialogues outside the syllabus has been integral to their everyday learning and a primary goal of our department. Being able to facilitate and watch these young women gradually gain agency through our academic endeavours motivates me to take on any challenges that come my way

From The Students:

My passion for today and aspiration for tomorrow are woven around the discipline, Sociology. I am from the first batch of the Sociology Honours students of Rani Indira Debi Government Girls’ College. I generously attribute this association to our professors, whose firm guidance has sustained my interest and shaped my ambition in the subject. My teachers have inspired me to pursue higher studies in Sociology.

I am an ex-student of the Sociology Department, 2018-2021 batch. All my teachers in the department were helpful and explained the sociological concepts and theories with such ease and beauty that I am not aware of the moment when I fell in love with the subject. During the last two years of the pandemic, classes were held online, but that did not affect me. Both Online and Offline classes were regular and exciting. I cherish the time spent in college, inside the classroom, and beyond.

Quality infrastructure and dedicated teaching are the hallmarks of our college. I am a Fourth Semester student, and, in this journey so far, I have found my teachers and friends by me. The student body is active, and we organize many cultural events throughout the year. My college has now become my second home, and the values I imbibe here will last me for life.

I am a Second Semester student in Sociology. I would not confine my teachers to their professional roles as I look up to some of them for imparting valuable life lessons. They encourage, support, guide, and stand by us in all oddities. The library, reading room, and common room are my go-to places in college. My college is my second home, and I am proud of it.