The Beginning
It was 1946, one year before the independence. Riots and Violence were spreading throughout the country. Gandhiji started fasting at Beliaghata in Kolkata in order to prevent rioting. At that critical phase of survival only, who would think of education and health? But surprisingly a few young men, inspired by the thoughts and preaching of Gandhiji, started a small Buniadi School in Dakshindari, an insignificant industry based colony at the outskirt of Calcutta. The objective was to provide basic primary Education to the children of have-nots. Generous Daw family donated two bighas of land while the famous business households of Duttas and Lahas and others donated the necessary fund. Thus commenced the journey of Gandhi Seva Sangha, more than sixty years back, which is going on unabated till today, maintaining its character of totally apolitical and noncommercial social welfare organization.
Gone are those noble men. The little hamlet of the late forties has grown into a vibrant prosperous crowded township; that tiny primary school has developed to a full-fledged Government approved secondary school; that nucleonic club has transformed into a significant social welfare organization striving for the benefit of thousands of people of the locality.
Milestones
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1946 to 1956
Foundation of ‘Gandhi Seva Sangha’ and establishment of ‘Gandhi Seva Sangha Buniadi Vidyalaya’. Gift of 2 bighas of land to Gandhi Seva Sangha by Jorasanko Daw family. Society Registration as ‘Gandhi Seva Sangha Dakshindari’.
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1966 to 1976
Adult Education Centre & Homeopathic Clinic. Up gradation to Junior School in present school building.
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1976 to 1986
Inauguration of the 1st floor of the School building. Starting of Vocational centre for Women (Sewing). Inauguration of the Gandhi Seva Sangha Building and Public Library. Starting of Charitable Allopathic Clinic with medicine.
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1986 to 1996
Outdoor clinics Community Health Service in the Bidhan colony locality under the supervision of Oxfam and in co-operation of Lions Club. Starting of ‘Sishu Bikash Kendra’ (Child Development) and inauguration of ‘Lions’ Toy Library’ for children. Beginning of Training Centre for Computer Literacy. Construction and inauguration of 1st floor of Sangha building
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1996 to 2006
Starting of Eye Clinic and Eye operation for distressed People free of cost., Vocational training programme for ‘Silk Screen Printing’. Inauguration of ‘Manikya Mancha’ (auditorium). Beginning of ECG Service @ Rs. 40/-. Starting of Vocational Training Centre by Govt. as Extension Centre of ‘Community Polytechnic Cell’, Govt of WB. Training of Dress Making starts for 20 trainees. Received fund from M.P. LAD scheme for Vocational Training. Inauguration of a ‘Guidance, Counseling & Rehabilitation Centre’, for Cancer patients and their family members. ‘Seva Nibas’, a unique lodging facility for cancer patients.
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2007
Extension of ‘Seva Nibas’ with two dormitories in the first floor.
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2008
Extension of Public Library with financial assistance from Raja Rammohan Roy Library Foundation, Gov of India
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2009
Extension of Free Eye Clinic activities in cooperation with Purva Kolkata Nagarik Parishad Trust, Lake town.
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2010
Foundation stone laid in December, for ‘Gandhi Seva Sadan’ hospital.
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2013
Remodeling and extension of public Library, present number of books is approximate 10000
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2015
Extension of Seva Nibas for Cancer Patients to accomodate total 25 patients
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2016
Inauguration of 'Gandhi Seva Sadan' OPD in new hospital building. Starting of 'GSS IT' division and computer literacy center
