Keshab Seva Kendra, Kolkata

Source: News Bharati

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Badamidevi Shishu Kalyan Kendra

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Keshab Seva Kendra, a non-governmental voluntary social organization in West Bengal’s Kolkata city, is striving hard for the upliftment of vanavasi and tribal populace since last 17 years. Keshab Seva Kendra is consistently working in the fields of education, health and sanskar for creating awareness among the brethren of the country. Similarly, an orphanage has also been started in Howrah by the kendra.

With the motto ‘Serving the mankind is serving to God’ (Nar Seva is Narayan Seva), the kendra is committed towards the objectives such as propagation of Indian culture and values, inculcating a community feeling among people of the country, uniting and strengthening the Indian community, developing a feeling of equality and brotherhood among all the classes of society, selfless service towards underprivileged and rural masses, imparting sanskars to the destitute children so as to make them lead a life filled with self respect, educating rural masses through single teacher schools, building tribal hostels and providing healthcare to the economically backward sections of the society.
Badamidevi Shishu Kalyan Kendra: This centre was established in 1994 because of the active co-operation from philanthropist donor late Ramnivas Agrawal at a distance of just 1 km from Howrah Railway Station (West). An orphanage has been started at this centre. Accommodation and food is provided free of cost to the children belonging to scheduled caste, scheduled tribe and backward classes. Sanskars regarding education and good behavior are taught to the children along with vocational training. The speciality of the centre is that the orphan children are newly named according to Indian surnames. All of them are regarded as the children of Bharatmata; no differentiation is made on caste, race or religious grounds. There is a residential arrangement for 60 children at the orphanage and currently, the kendra houses 27 children.
A health centre has also been opened in the premises where these children are treated free of cost. The library has a wide collection of books on various subjects, magazines, newspapers, etc that adds to the knowledge of these students thereby giving a boost to their mental development. For physical fitness, yogasanas, outdoor games, physical exercises are taught for which there is a provision for a playground along with a gymnasium.
Neo-natal babies are also nurtured with great affection; the kendra adopts such babies and if some couple wants to adopt such baby, then the centre also renders them full support and co-operation for the adoption. The kendra regularly takes care that the adopted baby is receiving proper care.
Ekal Vidyalaya: Keshab Seva Kendra is also executing 210 Ekal Vidyalayas (single teacher schools) in Dinajpur and Malda districts of West Bengal and 147 Ekal Vidyalayas in some districts of East Bengal.
Kathakar scheme: Kathakar scheme is a unique initiative by Keshab Seva Kendra. The scheme has greatly proved beneficial in the propagation of India’s rich culture among adivasis and backward class population residing in the remote areas of the country. Today, more than 35 kathakars (story tellers) visit the mountainous remote regions of Sikkim, Darjeeling, Siligudi, etc and tell people stories based on the lives of great national heroes, deities and culture through discourses. This raises their moral values and confidence; a feeling of self respect is triggered among them.
Contact:
1) Keshab Seva Kendra
117 B, Nalini Sarkar Marg
Kolkata, West Bengal (India)
2) Badamidevi Shishu Kalyan Kendra
2^nd floor, 16/4/1, Round Tank Lane
Howrah, West Bengal (India)
How to reach:
By air: Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport, located at Dumdum, is 17 km away from the heart of Kolkata. This airport is well connected to all major cities in India including north east capitals. Kolkata is a major international airport which is connected to many cities in abroad.
By train: Howrah and Sealdah are two major railway stations in Kolkata. These stations are well connected to all major cities in India. Metro rail system in Kolkata connects all the main junctions in Kolkata. It is the fastest way to reach the different parts of the big city.
By bus: West Bengal state buses connect all parts of the state with Kolkata. Deluxe and A/C luxury buses are available from Kolkata to various cities in the state and neighboring states.