Outstanding success of the “Eye operation camp” organized by Nabajatak Aragyobhavan
In 1943, The great city Kolkata was waking up in the high tide of National Freedom movement and Anti-fascist movement. In this same period after being imbued with patriotism a group of teen-aged students met together in Sinthi, at the outskirts of Kolkata. The hand- written journal ‘Mallika’ was born. The journal was edited by their best friend and leader Dipendranath Ghose. The teen aged editor wrote in his first edition “Jekhane srishti krishti sekhanei fascibader sutikhna drishti”- which means “fascists keep keen view on creation and culture.” They could not remain contented with the activities of just a written journal and planned to take things further. In Dipen Ghose’s own words “We should not confine ourselves only in the protest against injustice. We must stand by those tortured and oppressed people. We must take their responsibility. Come and enter the courtyard of greater work of the society as new-borns.”
Soon, Mallika transformed into Nabajatak. In 1945 on an autumnal evening, the night school Nabajatak Vidyabhaban was born. Teaching and learning started with a few poor students at 7, Gour Sundar Seth Lane. Those teen aged teachers had to expand their knowledge for proper teaching. So, ‘Pathachakra’ started with the collection of a variety of Indian and foreign journals and many valuable books. Since then, the main organization was named as ‘Nabajatak Sanskriti Parisad’.
‘Nabajatak Sanskriti Parisad’ became a hub of welfare activity. Many aged well- known persons of the locality were attracted by their works and stood by them, too. In 1949-50 the working members of Nabajatak set foot in a new area. They formed a toy industry ‘Shilpasri’ on co-operative basis to engage the unemployed youth. After passing a few years through many economic ups and downs Nabajatak Pathagar [library] was established in 1953 by joining Sinthi General Pathagar with another local Kishore Pathagar.
Though born mainly from anti-fascist movement Nabajatak started its own movement in Sinthi being focused on three objectives: ‘Education, Service and Culture’ and started taking multifaced programs since 1958. This movement was led by Dipen Ghose.
Within 6 years volunteers of Nabajatak Sanskriti Parisad expanded its activities and opened a good number of departments under the guidance of Dipen Ghose.
On 7th February 1958 Nabajatak Mahila Samiti was established with the lady readers of Nabajatak library and the well-wishing ladies of the locality. Smt. Shefali Ghose was elected as the first Secretary of Nabajatak Mahila Samiti.
On 12th December 1959 the proposal of a pre-primary school in Sinthi area was accepted unanimously by the working committee of Nabajatak Pathagar. Primary education was a demand of local people for many years. In this background Nabajatak Vidyabhaban was established in 1960 to fulfill the same void. Later, this school had been upgraded as Primary, Junior high and Secondary sections for its good reputation among the locales.
With a zeal to preserve the purity and sanctity of Bengali cultural tradition and musical heritage, Nabajatak Kalabhaban was established on 4th November 1962 as a school of fine arts and music.
After passing through a lot of economic hurdles Nabajatak Arogyobhaban was established by Dr. Sailen Mitra on 12th December 1962. Treatment of people at a very nominal cost was initiated on 7th January 1963.
Due to sincere efforts of the volunteers of Nabajatak organization and supporters, Nabajatak co-operative Panyabhaban was established on 19th September 1963. Later on, this unit of Nabajatak Sanskriti Parisad had been recognized as Government co-operative concern.
Nabajatak Sanskriti Parisad was born in 1943. The first to be established was the Nabjatak Pathagar, followed by the formation of the Central organization. In the year 1963, apart from the library, Vidyabhavan, Mahila Samiti, Aragyobhavan, Kalabhavan were established. Eventually, drafting the constitution of the organization became indispensable for the practical purpose. Nabajatak Sanskriti Parisad is the main organization and other departments are its branches. For this purpose, a new constitution was approved in the Annual General Meeting on 16th March and 17th March 1963. 1st April 1963 onwards, the Nabajatak Sanskriti Parisad was a government registered organization. Professor Sambhu Palit’s assistance in drafting the constitution is worth mentioning.
A proposal to select a suitable emblem for Nabajatak Sanskriti Parisad was also accepted in the March 16 general meeting to adopt the new constitution. Renowned Professor Dr. Kalyan Ganguly created the emblem. In the middle of the emblem there is a Navataru[newborn tree] , a symbol of youth. In the middle of Navataru there are two words “Karmani and Dhiya”. Nabajatak team believed that knowledge originates from work. Famous scholar Durga Mahan Bhattacharya crafted these two words from Sanskrit Vedas to support the idea.
A proposal to select a suitable emblem for Nabajatak Sanskriti Parisad was also accepted in the March 16 general meeting to adopt the new constitution. Renowned Professor Dr. Kalyan Ganguly created the emblem. In the middle of the emblem there is a Navataru[newborn tree] , a symbol of youth. In the middle of Navataru there are two words “Karmani and Dhiya”. Nabajatak team believed that knowledge originates from work. Famous scholar Durga Mahan Bhattacharya crafted these two words from Sanskrit Vedas to support the idea.
Since 1st April 1963 Nabajatak Sanskriti Parisad had been running as Government registered organization.
This phase of Nabajatak was dominated by young supporters in majority. The ideals and practices of Nabajatak, which started thirty years ago, were being successfully transmitted among the youth of the organization in this phase. Young supporters of this time were not only enthusiastic, but they also started taking up major responsibilities. In 1976, Nabajatak Janasiksha unit was launched to promote public awareness and leading the youth.
Dipen Ghose established Nabajatak Sarirsiksha and Krira unit on 15th August 1977 for the physical and mental fitness of the local youth. The unit was inaugurated by renowned Dr. Gourisankar Mukkherjee.
Dipen Ghosh’s honest, social, self-motivated and constructive work for the organization influenced the entire team and Nabajatak Sanskriti Parishad expanded day-by-day from help of its supporters for noble causes.
Outstanding success of the “Eye operation camp” organized by Nabajatak Aragyobhavan
Sanction of Vocational training courses run by Mahila Samiti
Nabajatak Library got connected with the International Book World through the opening of a British Council Library department in Nabajatak Pathagar.
Outstanding success in Madhyamik exam and primary division of Nabajatak Vidyabhaban
Broadcasting of programs at All India Radio, Kolkata by Nabajatak Kalabhavan.
Sanction of Rabindrabharati University by acknowledging the outstanding result of the students of Nabajatak Kalabhavan
Significant development of Nabajatak co-operative and inauguration of clothing department
The money donated by the people of the area and collected by the Nabajatak young workers by catering service for the purchase of land and construction of house for Nabajatak Vidyabhaban and Nabajatak Sanskriti Parisad
Donation of Harsukh Bhavan situated at Harekrishna Sett lane to Nabajatak by its owner Shrimati Ranuka Gupta
The catastrophe happened on 2nd December 1986 due to the untimely death of the Founder Member Dipen Ghosh and the 3rd phase came to an end.
The work of this institution got stopped for a few days. At this time, Smt. Shefali Ghosh, wife and an active member of Nabajatak Central Committee came forward and announced “We will not stop because to stop is to die. Nabajatak is growing every moment, getting older and moving on.”
New programs were initiated following the ideals and plans of the founder member. Nabajatak Aragyobhavan’s new building was officially inaugurated on 30th August 1987. The founder's dream of a full-fledged hospital building for Nabajatak came true within just one year. New equipments were installed and skilled technicians were employed to handle increase in the pathology workload.
Although the number of female students in High School was low, the results were moderate. Nabajatak Mahila Samiti purchased modern sewing machines. Various handicrafts course works were initiated. Kalabhavan successfully participated in music council exams in Allahabad Prayag and Bangiya Sangeet Parisad. The students of physical education and sports department participated in national-statedistrict and local competitions. Meanwhile, Nabajatak Cooperative, Nabajatak Library and Nabajatak Vidyabhavan transitioned to State government-owned and recognized institutions.
After the new millennium, the world economy started falling to the edge due to globalization and open market. The decline in value-added policies gradually started to affect the Nabajatak works. The socio-economic strata were changing rapidly. In spite of the socio-economic crisis, Nabajatak was determined to move forward in the direction of soul of its Founder.
At present Nabajatak Vidyabhavan is recognized as Government-sponsored school since 2014. Presently, this secondary school also offers optional residential facility to the backward girls of our society along with their right to education ensured under ‘Sarbasiksha Abhijan scheme’ of Government of India.
Nabajatak Kalabhavan keeps various events going. Few people in the area are still coming to Aragyobhaban to get low-cost medical care. According to the demands of the current socio-economy, Bengali medium schools, specially the pre-primary and primary, are fighting to stay afloat. No exception is seen for Nabajatak Sishu Vidyalaya.
Nabajatak Kalabhavan keeps various events going. Few people in the area are still coming to Aragyobhaban to get low-cost medical care. According to the demands of the current socio-economy, Bengali medium schools, specially the pre-primary and primary, are fighting to stay afloat. No exception is seen for Nabajatak Sishu Vidyalaya.
Nabajatak Sarirsiksha & Sports wing has introduced Multigym.
Nabajatak Arogyobhavan is successfully running its low-cost Pathology and digital X-Ray in joint venture with Serum Analysis Pvt. Limited, making it affordable to common people. In collaboration with the famous Sushrut Eye Foundation and Research Center of Kolkata, eye care is being done at a low cost. Poor people are still being treated at this clinic at a low cost. Physiotherapy with modern techniques is also being conveyed by physiotherapy experts.
From 1943 to 2008, many people have come, added values to and nourished Nabajatak. Hundreds of short-term, long-term and full-time volunteer workers are still here. In the last few decades, members have passed away, migrated to distant areas due to personal reasons, but their family members and others continue to work in various ways for Nabajatak Sanskriti Parishad. Nabajatak expresses its sincere gratitude for their involvement in the organization activities and the future endeavors.
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