Ramakrishna Mission Vidyapith, Purulia, a residential higher secondary school, is a branch centre of Ramakrishna Mission, founded by Swami Vivekananda. This institution was established in 1957 with the object of giving a practical and concrete shape to some of the educational ideas of Swami Vivekananda. Education, in order to be effective and fruitful, must be man-making, that is, it must bring about total and integrated development of the personality of the students. This can be achieved only when the students are brought up in surroundings where their body, mind and spirit can be looked after to effloresce in a congenial environment. In this context, Swami Vivekananda prescribed the ancient Gurukula system of education. The Vidyapith has adopted this system, suited and adapted to modern conditions of life. Accordingly, the Vidyapith focuses not only on academic excellence but also on cultural programs, sports and games, and spiritual aspects of the students' lives.