Iswar Chandra Vidyasagar is a legendary figure who played a significant role in all aspects of Indian life - be it education, culture, religion, ethics or teterature. He was a lion hearted Bengali and played the pioneering role as an educationist for the all round scholastic upliftment and wisdom not only in Bengal but all over India. He was truly an institution in himself.

The Vidyasagar Mela is a unique fair dedicated to the memory of Ishwar Chandra. It pays homage to the ideals of that virtuous man and on erudite scholar. Hence, this Mela is distinctly different from the other glamorous fairs. Vidyasagsr Mela aims at projecting the dreams thoughts, philosophies and ideals of Vidyasagar quite emphatically in front of all and sundry. It highlights on the social welfare altitude which was preached by Vidyasagar. In fact, Iswar Chandra Vidyasagar was a sincere social Vidyasagar. In fact, Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar was a sincere social reformer.

He struggled relentlessly against all forms of corruption, blind superstitions, prejudices and malpractices. He tried heart and soul to emancipate the Indian women from the shackles of the biased, patriarchial society and wanted them not to live like second class citizens of the country. Instead, he wanted the women to be strong individuals with dignity and self-esteem. He was literally a 'modern' man with refined ideas. He fought with the conservative society in the 19th century and forced the Government to enact the 'Widow Remarriage Act.' He also fought relentlessly to stop the practice of polygamy in the then Indian Society.

Bangiya Saksharata Prasar Samity made this novel and exclusive effort to host the Vidyasagar Mela and use it as a platform to spread the elevated message and high ideals of Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar.

Vidyasagar Mela was held for the first time in 1994 on the Calcutta Maidan, just opposite the Rabindra Sadan and Birla Planetorium. It is exclusive because this is the only fair of its kind in the city and has no parallel.

As an integral part of its literacy programme, the Bangiya Saksharata Prasar Samity took the initiative to hold this fair for the first time in 1992. The venue was Beersingha, a village in Midnapore where Vidyasagar was born. Then the organizers realized that such an exclusive fair which is embedded with the high ideals and contemplations of Vidyasagar must also enlighten a broader human society and must be projected with a larger dimenssion. Hence, in 1994, the 'Vidyasagar Mela' was shifted from the village Beersingha and installed on the Maidan in Calcutta, the city which learns the holy memories of the multifarious works of Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar. In fact, Vidyasagar's iron determination and revolutionary ideas would never have materialized had he not come to Calcutta. In the previous years since, 1994, the 'Vidyasagar Mela' used to be held in Beersingha after being held on the Maidan. However, in the year 2001, the Calcutta Maidan and Beersingha in Midnapore have hosted the Vidyasagar Mela simultaneously. The Bangiya Saksharata Prasar Samity has indeed done a splendid job in founding this 'Mela' or fair. The Samity is now working hard to remodel Beersingha as an ideal village.

The fundamental ideas of Vidyasagar Mela are spread of education and social welfare. this is very likely because the entire life of Ishwar Chandra revolved round these two central ideas. By education Vidyasagar never meant mere bookish education. He was equally inclined to ameliorate the overall social picture including health and hygiene, environment consciousness, democratic principles, secularism, free and liberted way of thinking etc. The Vidyasagar Mela highlights on all the aforesaid ideas and endeavours to associate education with social welfare which are interlinked and interdependent. The fair aims at uplifting moral values, ethical standards and increasing general awareness which, once achieved, will lead to widescale social development. The fair aims at utilyzing the valuable human resources available and imparting necessary working knowledge on those pour souls who have been deprived of their fundamental rights to acquire education and be a part of the mainstream utilitariam population. In a nutshell, Vidyasagar Mela is colely concerned with social welfare and development through the spread of a systematic, scientific and balanced education and participatory development programmes.

Apart from these, folk cultures of different districts are highlighted in this fair. Cultural competitions viz, song, dance, recitation, drawing, public speaking/debate etc. are held in order to boost up the spirits of the children (st.I- st.XII). Healthy entertainment is arranged and cultural festivals are held to recognize the budding talents. Seminars are held in the fair where debates and discussions are held on all important issues of social relevance. Health Camps are also held here. Renowned physicians and a well-equipped medical team with promising and enthusiastic physicians, offer precious medical advices to the masses. Several stalls, both documentary and informative as well as commercial ones are put up here. The latter are well within reach of the middle class people.