Lightening Lives Through Spirit of Service

Rita Karmkar - A government employee in the state of Jharkhand, Ruma Hazara-A budding entrepreneur in stitching industry and Ruksana Khatun - Faculty staff at a vocational training institute, might sound three different identities to you but still their identities belong to a same common entity that is none other than the Sewa Bharti (West Bengal)- The organization that has given a new meaning to their lives. Rita, Ruma and Ruksana are the alma mater of Vocational Training Centre run by Vivekanand Vikas Parishad, affiliated to Sewa Bharti, at Ichhapur village, the one of the most backward villages of West Bengal in district Asansol. 

In 1989, Jila Sanghchalak Late Sh. Maloy Rao initiated the Gram Vikas Karya (Village Development Program) under the ageis of Vivekanand Vikas Parishad in the area. Today Parishad operates 10 Shishu Sanskaar Kendra, 6Coaching Centers, 3 Free Medical Centres, 2 Neuropathy Centres, 5 Self Help Groups for Women, in Ichhapur and the surrounding villages and a Stitching Training Centre, which has made 200 women, from the deprived sections of the society, self independent so far. One unit for making sewing products during festival times also has been established. “Students of our computer centres also getting engaged in different companies after completing their courses”, tells Prant Sewa Pramukh Manoj Kumar Chatterjee adding that Gram Samiti also regularly look after the problems of villages and takes appropriate measures. 

Besides this Parishad runs a Homeopathy Clinic in adjoining Hetododa village and a Neuropathy Centre in Gopinagar. Under the Gram Vikas Program, Sewa Bharti carried out remarkable work in several other villages in West Bengal such as Tejpur village of district Tarakeswar and Picharvali, located on the bank of Paili river. Maa Sharda Gram Vikas Samiti, affiliated to Sewa Bharti, has transformed Tejpur village into a Adarsh Gaon(Model Village) through establishing Dharam Jagran Kendra, Swami Sidhu Sanskar Kendra Free Coaching Center for class 5th to 8th, Dr. Hegdewar Charitable Clinic, Book Bank and Maa Sharda Maatri Mandali. 

Shri Srajan Hazara ,Sah Sewa Pramukh of district Sundarban, changed the picture of most backward village of West Bengal- Picharvali. Total population in this village is 800 and most of its portion used to live in pathetic conditions. Srajan Ji formed Maa Annapurna Gram Vikas Samiti and after learning Homeopathy established a free Homeo Clinic here. Renowned Homeopathic Doctor Dr.Gopal also comes here ones in a month to treat the poor patients. Except this Bahgini Sishu Sanskar Kendra, Jhola Library, Bhajan Mandali and Varmi Khaad Training Centre are also being run by Samiti to make Picharvali an ideal village. Today 250 families in this village with the aid of Gram Panchayat constructed the Proper Toilets in their premises. Recently Vivekanand Vikas Parishad has bought a piece of land in Ichhapur village and it’s Sewa Bhawan in 2000 sq.ft area is under construction.