Water & Sanitation project for Vidyasagar Pally (Leprosy Colony) and Pratibandi Punarbasan Kendra (School for Handicapped children)
Devotees of the Nimpura Kendra have for many years, been actively working at Vidyasagar Pally (erstwhile Leprosy Colony), with the guidance of the YSS monastics.
For the past few years Rotarians of the Rotary Club of Calcutta Victoria have also joined in, and participated in some of the programmes.
On a hot Sunday the 19th April, 2009, while the newspapers headlines were “Hottest Day in a Decade” and Heat Wave conditions, Br. Nigamanandaji, Pr. Gaganji and Sri. Partho Ghosh from YSS of India, Dakshineswar Ashram accompanied by a team of Rotarians led by President Sunita Agarwal headed for Nimpura, (near Kharagpur). All who were braving the heat were treated to loads of Nimbu Pani, freshly made sandwiches, and snacks sent from our beloved Gurudeva Sri Sri Paramhansa Yogananda ji’s Dakshineswar ashram.
At first, Br. Nigamanandaji laid the foundation stone of a tubewell to be sunk just outside the Nimpura Kendra, to provide drinking water to the residents. The local councilor appreciatively joined in. This will supply the needs of the residents – the situation being particularly acute this year with the river sources drying up.
This was followed by Rotary President Sunitaji and Br. Nigamanandaji unveiling the plaque dedicating the newly constructed sanitation facility at Vidyasagar Pally, It was heartening to see the completed structures, for which the foundation stones had been laid earlier in the year, and the appreciative residents. One tubewell now supplies drinking water to four taps. Four Patton tanks installed on a raised platform, and a utility room below is complete. The next part of the project will be to complete 2 toilet blocks, connect the water supply and set up a drainage system.
Thereafter all proceeded to Pratibandi Punarbasan Kendra, a residential school for 150 handicapped children on the outskirts of this colony. Br. Nigamanndaji and Sunitaji then inaugurated a tubewell to supply the needs of the school – drinking water, water for cooking, bathing, cleaning –much needed to improve the hygienic conditions. The sight of the gushing water on the sandy soil was a feast for the eyes. The children were just finishing lunch on the verandah and gifts were given to them. They were presented with mugs, balls and exercise books each by the Rotarians. This project will be followed by second phase comprising of a block of toilets and drainage systems.
All those involved with the implementation of this project are to be complemented on the wonderful work being done. This is also a project to foster world peace and brotherhood, as the rotary club of New Milford, Connecticut, USA, and The Rotary Foundation have supported it. Much yet remains before the entire project is completed, and let us all give our full support to bring joy to the little children of the school, and the families of the leprosy afflicted –those who are on crutches, wheel chairs, have hearing loss, vision affected ,etc but not forlorn …..They have heard Thy Name…..
Love God!
Love God in All!
Hemy Kapur