Bhagirathi Shilpasram, was founded in the year 1942, is a ‘HOME’ with a difference - an abode of love and care for orphans, destitutes and female children of Red-Light Areas.
Children at Bhagirathi Shilpasram
A Charitable Institution Bhagirathi Shilpasram was founded by the Late Lt.Col.Dwijendra Nath Bhattacharya, for the famine affected children of the year 1942-43, on a plot of land on the banks of the river Bhagirathi at a village near Simurali Railway Station in Nadia District of West Bengal. The Education Department of the then State Govt.of West Bengal had started to send children to Bhagirathi Shilpasram since 1944. Subsequently the Dept. of Social Welfare also started sending inmates to the Ashram.
Bhagirathi Shilpasram was registered under Companies Act of 1913 u/s section 26 to act as a Philanthrophic Organisation to promote Education, Vocational Training, Agriculture, Medical Treatment etc.
In the year 1954, Govt of West Bengal acquired C.S.Plots No: 147-149, 107 and 1262 of village Chanduria, J.L.No : 38 and C.S. Plots No : 571-573, 582-595, 635-639, 668, 888 and 889 of village Priyanagar, J.L.No : 39. These plots were handed over to Bhagirathi Shilpasram on 1st of April,1955 for the purpose of expansion of it’s activities. Accordingly the Govt. Of West Bengal granted License to Bhagirathi Shilpasram, to carry out its objectives, detailed in the Memorandum of Association.
FLOWERING GROWTH
The sapling, which was planted more than six decades ago has now grown into a large flowering tree. The institution, which had a modest beginning with 180 children on its roll, has turned into a big ‘Home’, housing about 445 orphan girls including 50 from the Red Light Areas, 35 destitute women , 15 girls received from Police / Hospital etc. In addition of the above, about40 needy women from the locality are being trained in different vocations. Today there are nearly 76 residential staff ( mostly women ) on the Ashram’s roll, who are experienced in their respective fields.
DAILY LIFE OF INMATES
Strict discipline is maintained in the Shilpasram campus. Both the inmates and staff are required to follow a compulsory schedule as follows :
(1) Rising bell at 5 AM (2) Toilet (3) Breakfast (4) Morning School for the Primary section and home study for the secondary section (5) Ablution (6) Lunch (7) Junior high school and vocational training classes. (8) Afternoon Tiffin (9) Games, Sports, Parade & PT etc. (10) Prayer (11) Evening Study (12) Dinner (13) Light off at 10 PM (14) TV shows on Sunday during specific time.
MAKING EDUCATION MEANINGFUL
At the initial stages, the Silpasram authorities’ , principal aim was to see that the children were capable of making a living on their own, when they left “Home”. To achieve this goal, a Primary School was set up in 1944 along with Vocational Training Centers. Primary education and vocational training were made compulsory for all inmates. Although the Ashram was founded in the year 1942, Bhagirathi Shilpasram actually began to expand in the year 1978; when “Children’s Home” for orphan girls under the supervision of the Social Welfare Dept. Government of West Bengal and the female children of the “Red-Light Area” , under the scheme of the Ministry of Women & Child Development, Govt Of India were added in the existing one functioning under the supervision of the Mass Education Dept, Govt Of West Bengal.
With the expansion and emphasis laid by the Govt.on the inmates’ education, the need for a Secondary School was felt. In 1980 the Primary School of Bhagirathi Shilpasram was elevated to Junior High School and named after the Late Founder. Besides, there are arrangements for sending the inmates to a local Secondary/ Higher Secondary School recognized by the Govt. for appearing in the Secondary & Higher Secondary examination.
Bhagirathi Shilpasram’s Junior High School is yet to get Govt. affiliation. The proposal for elevation and affiliation for the Secondary School was recommended by the “Siksha Sthayee committee” of the panchayet samity, Chakdaha, in the year 2002. The Junior High School of the Ashram has all the Secondary level facilities and on it’s roll there are about 450 students along with 24 qualified and experienced teachers.
TRAINING
Vocational Training forms an important part of the Ashram’s activities. It is mandatory for all the inmates.
At present five different types of training are available in the Shilpasram, namely: (A) Handloom Weaving (B) Bamboo & Cane Work (C) Tailoring & Knitting (D) Short-hand & Type Writing (E) Computer.
Ashram utilizes these ventures as production cum training units. They cater outside orders, by which the inmates earn while they are learning. This arrangement helps the inmates to seek employment/self employment on attaining maturity.
The Shilpasram authority is also aware that the training provided by the campus is not adequate for the rehabilitation of the inmates. So, a good number of inmates are sent outside for further training. The girls are sent for Nursing & Midwifery training in different Govt. Hospitals.
Bhagirathi Shilpasram has rehabilitated many girls by getting them married to have a family and social life of their own. During the past70 years Bhagirathi Shilpasram rehabilitated over a thousand of it’s inmates in this way.
MEDICAL SERVICES
The Shilpasram runs an Infirmary and a Dispensary attended by 2 part time Doctors (1 Allopaph & 1 Homeopath) and 1 full time trained Nurse. In case of necessity the patient is sent to either Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial or Gandhi Memorial Hospital at Kalyani. If necessary the patient of Bhagirathi Shilpasram get treatement of local specialist physician .
JOY ABOUNDING
JOY ABOUNDING
Bhagirathi Shilpasram has on its campus two big play grounds, and a community hall. The inmates get ample opportunity to nourish and develop their inherent talents.They also get training in Athletics, Parade, Physical Training & Art ,Music & Dance lessons under expert guidance. The inmates participate in the District level Kho-Kho, Throw Ball,Music ,Dance and Recitation competition organized in different parts of the district, these definitely encourage the participants and the trainer.
In 2001, the Ashram girls took part in a contest “TheChampionship Award in March past and Discipline” along with 33 Homes of the country held at the Indoor Stadium at Kolkata and was awarded the “Champion’s Trophy”.The music & dance groups are invited to take part in many Cultural shows in the district. The community hall of the Ashram has a T V set for educational & recreational purpose for the inmates.
