This valiant daughter of Mother India, was born on September 24, 1861, in an affluent Parsee family in Bombay. Her father was Sorabji Framji Patel, a prosperous businessman, her mother Jijibai.
Madame Bhikhaiji was born into a community which was progressive and forward looking and in which women’s education and emancipation were encouraged. Young Bhikhaiji was entrusted into the caring hands of our founder, Manockjee Cursetjee, who had started The Alexandra Native Girls’ English Institution in 1863. The main aim of this school was to impart an all round education including learning of European languages. Bhikhaiji had her education both primary and secondary here and later devoted herself to the study of European languages and became proficient in them.
She was wedded to the upliftment of her country men, both social and political. She became a woman with a mission, with a vision of an independent India free from the foreign yoke.
Nearly a thousand delegates from different countries had gathered at Stuggart, Germany, for the 2nd International Socialist Congress. Madame Cama held them spellbound by the logic, sincerity and emotion of her fiery, eloquent speech, as she pointed out the atrocities of British imperialism, described the sufferings, the agony of her countrymen. At the end of the brilliant speech, in a dramatic gesture, she unfurled a tricolour flag of green, saffron and red, passionately claiming :
“This flag is of Indian independence. Behold it is born! It has been made sacred by the blood of young Indians who sacrificed their lives. I call upon you, gentlemen to rise and salute this flag of Indian independence. In the name of this flag, I appeal to the lovers of freedom all over the world to co-operate with this flag in freeing one-fifth of the human race.”
As if by magic, the whole assembly stood up and honoured the flag!
She was an Alexandrian!
I conducted my first ever dance class when I was in the 6th grade at The Alexandra Girls’ English Institution. From there, my dance career kicked off. I am now a choreographer and have my own company Two Right Feet. I am also a F&B content creator. Dancing for school shows gave me the interest to pursue dancing as a career. I’m forever grateful.
Kanchi Shah
Choreographer
When I started looking for a school for my daughter, I wanted one that would instill a spirit of compassion, not just competition, one that would let her personality blossom, not just make her part of an assembly line, one that would encourage her to step into the world with confidence not just with a degree. I realized I was looking for a school like Alexandra Girls’ English Institution. Thank you, my Alma Mater, for making me who I am!
Rakshanda Khan
TV Star
My school years at Alexandra have been the stepping stones in my life! It has taught me great values and helped me shape into the person who I am today! And one of them is accepting inclusivity in diversity! Kudos to all the teachers and staff whose continuous efforts have made this school stand strong for all these years.
Dr. Reshma Jhaveri
Ophthalmologist, & Queen of the World
A good school is like clay and the teacher the potter… both go hand in hand in shaping your life. I am forever grateful to A.G.E.I. for what I am today. The mould they used to cast me, has defined me and helped me achieve my dreams. I owe my success to my school and all my teachers.
Tasneem Shahani
Owner / Chef at Tasneem’s King’s Kitchen, Nepal.
My school years lay the foundation to my life today. The teachers at A.G.E.I. always took a keen interest in every student, encouraged thinking and questioning and taught with passion. I owe a great deal to them.
Alifia (Nalwalla) Tameem
Anaesthetist and Pain Management Consultant in Birmingham, UK
What I am today is thanks to the tireless efforts of my parents and my teachers who helped lay those foundation blocks, every day of my growing up years. I will always be indebted to my parents for the sacrifices they made and my school“The Alexandra Girls English Institution” where I spent most of my childhood. Every teacher from Nursery to Std. X taught us way beyond the syllabus. They taught us how to be disciplined, good humans and stand the test of time. They taught us what’s right and practiced what they preached. I can never forget how proud I was carrying the School flag as the Head Girl. Every achievement since is thanks to what I was taught.I strongly encourage every student of this prestigious institution to dream big and achieve great heights, as they face every challenge in life after a solid foundation developed by our dear AGEI.
Anahita Varma
Corporate Senior Vice President,
WNS Global Technology Services
