It was 1946, one year before the independence of India. Inspired by the thoughts and preaching of Gandhiji, a few young men started a small buniadi (basic) school in Dakshindari, an insignificant industry-based slum area at the outskirt of the then Calcutta. With their active initiative and support, the enlightened local people formed a voluntary social welfare organization, named Gandhi Seva Sangha (GSS).
In 1949, the generous Daw family of Jorashanko, Kolkata donated two bighas (about 3000 sq. mt.) of land, while the famous business households of Duttas & Lahas of the city and some others donated the necessary fund for construction of a school building.
The four-storied building with an Elevator (Lift) now stands as a landmark in the locality.
School:
Starting with Shiksha (Education) from this basic school, it has grown today to become ‘Gandhi Seva Sangha Buniyadi Madhyamik Vidyalaya’ that caters primarily to the children of under-served community of the area. Both the primary and secondary schools are now Govt. affiliated. Every year on Independence Day, GSS distributes merit scholarships among all the rank holders of both the schools.
Library:
For the last few decades, GSS is running a General Public Library and reading room which remains open seven days a week. The number of books has now crossed 14,000. It has a separate Children wing. The library organizes weekly ‘Sahitya Basar’, and other cultural programs, regularly. The Library service is completely free for children.
Sishu Vikas:
Around fifty children, all from economically weaker families, gather every Sunday at the Sangha premise to learn Drawing and Painting. They also participate in different cultural programs organized by GSS. All these activities help them to grow up as better human beings in their future life.
Cultural Events:
GSS remains actively involved in creating a healthy cultural environment in the locality for decades. Sangha observes many national programs regularly and also organises seminars, lectures, debates, quiz, etc. at ‘Manikya Mancha’, the Sangh’s own air-conditioned auditorium with about 150 seating capacity. Many social, cultural and educational institutes and organizations in this zone hold their cultural and educational programs in the Sangha Auditorium, throughout the year. Sangha has been regularly publishing its quarterly magazine ‘Sebak’ since 2015. The mission of ‘Sebak’ is to reach more and more people through quality literature, Sangha’s activity reports, and future plans and programs.
Uttaran:
A monthly interactive program is organised for the Senior Citizens of the locality, where eminent personalities from the field of defence, media, mountaineering, music, art, and science are invited to showcase their life’s experience. The purpose of this monthly meet is to rejuvenate the audience through group discussions and different unique forms of involvement and interaction.
CANCER UNIT: SEBA NIBAS
In today’s world Cancer has become a deadly word and the number of Cancer patients seeking treatment is increasing very rapidly. So, for the cancer patients of West Bengal and neighbouring states there is no other alternatives but to come to the city of Kolkata for treatment. But, it is very expensive and difficult to manage accommodation in Kolkata for months together and many of the poor cancer patients are forced to go back to their native place by abandoning further treatment.
In August 2005 GSS started ‘SEVA NIBAS’, a subsidized accommodation facility for poor Cancer patients and their accompanying persons, who come from different remote locations, for treatment in Kolkata. Presently, ‘Seva Nibas’ is having double bedded rooms to accommodate 36 cancer patients and their attendants.
Seva Nibas has two well-equipped community kitchen with cooking gas connections, utensils, refrigerators, water filters and other basic amenities. Two spacious lounges within the premises with two TVs, a carrom board and comfortable seating facility has been made available for rest and entertainment. Some basic emergency medical equipment like ‘Oxygen Concentrators’, ‘Nebulizers’ and ‘Suction Machines’ are provided to patients during their stay, absolutely free of cost. A nurse on-call is also available to take care of the critically ailing patients.
While free ration of Rice, Daal, Sattu, Aata, Sooji is always available for the occupants to use, morning tea with biscuits is served door to door every day. To boost up the morale of the psychologically and emotionally challenged inmates, our volunteers meets them on a daily basis.
GANDHI PHYSIOTHERAPY CENTRE
A Physiotherapy treatment centre has been put in service from April 2021. The centre is fully equipped, neat and clean, air-conditioned and attended by qualified therapists. Service rates are affordable to common people. Presently service is available from 4pm to 8 pm daily, except holidays.
CHARITABLE ALLOPATHIC CLINIC
Operates six days a week. The clinic is voluntarily served by three qualified dedicated senior doctors, for many years. Average 500 patients per month attend the clinic and are served with free medicines.
HOMEOPATHIC CLINIC
Five days a week, attended by experienced doctors and on an average 450 patients per month are treated with free medicines.
EYE CHECKUP AND TREATMENT CLINIC
Twice a week, Monday and Thursday. Monday’s clinic is supported by ‘Purva Calcutta Nagarik Parishad Trust’. Medicine & spectacles are supplied free of cost and arrangement for free cataract operation are made, if necessary. Patients from Gandhi Seba Nibas avail special discount (25%) on diagnostic test, at Gandhi Seva Sadan Hospital.
AROGYAJAN
A vehicle received from Mr Sujit Bose, local MLA, is used for carrying patients to different hospitals, at very subsidized rates. Key of the vehicle was handed over in 2017 by the legendary footballer Diego Maradona.
VOCATIONAL TRAINING
For many years GSS has been operating a Tailoring training course for women and it has been able to establish itself as a strong support to many economically backward women, towards self-employment. GSS has got the past experience of organizing vocational training courses on Computer familiarization; dress making; Photography; Screen Printing etc.
SKILL DEVELOPMENT- FUTURE PLAN & PROGRAM
Now, in response to the call of the day GSS has decided to start a centre for skill development and self-employment training. Main objective of the centre is to upgrade the skill of the persons already engaged in some professions like pottery, clay modeling, handicrafts, dress making and embroidery, gardening & indoor plant nursery; to motivate and to train up the unemployed youths; to establish a production cum marketing centre of the products. We have already constructed an 1150 sq.ft hall for the Skill Development Centre. Workshops has already been conducted by a very renowned expert and we look forward to the valued advice of professionals from all walks of life.
We welcome one and all to pay a visit to Gandhi Seva Sangha, on any convenient day and time.