A sanctuary of community service. That’s what comes to mind when we speak of Shree Sangha.
Here we are in front of Shree Sangha in Kolkata. This place is more than just a location. It is a testament to faith and selfless service.
Shree Sangha is deeply intertwined with the Bharat Sevashram Sangha. This Hindu religious organization focuses on humanitarian work. Acharya Srimat Swami Pranavananda Maharaj founded it in 1917.
The Bharat Sevashram Sangha has a non-sectarian, non-communal and non-political character. Its headquarters is in Kolkata. It has branches worldwide including the UK, USA, Canada, and Bangladesh.
What began as a vision has grown into a global movement. The Sangha helps the poor and provides healthcare.
They respond to natural disasters and political unrest. They set up refugee camps and provide relief. They offer schooling and housing to tribal children. The Sangha also trains youths in IT skills.
The Sangha actively helps pilgrims at religious fairs like the Kumbha Mela. They run free hospitals and mobile medical units. They offer free residences for patients and their families.
The Bharat Sevashram Sangha’s monks proposed schools and homes for orphans after the 2004 tsunami. They also planned to build 200 houses on the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
They also produce biopics to spread messages against violence and hatred. This is all rooted in the teachings and vision of Swami Pranavananda.
In May 2020, the Sangha helped people affected by Cyclone Amphan. They provided food during the COVID-19 lockdown. Their relief work started in 1920 during a famine. Youths managed the situation through collections.
Dr. Prafulla Chandra Roy praised the Sangha’s service during a flood. The Sangha also helped during the Bengal famine. They aided refugees after the Partition of India setting up relief camps.
Bharat Sevashram Sangha is for the people. It serves the people. It coordinates integration and unification.
Its medical services include dispensaries and hospitals. They have mobile medical units and leprosy welfare centers. Their educational activities include schools and colleges. They focus on moral education and character building.
The Sangha uplifts backward classes and tribals. Thousands of tribal children receive free residential education. The Sangha stands for self-realization and universal emancipation.
Shree Sangha embodies these principles. It serves as a local hub for these widespread activities. It is a place where devotion translates into action. It is a testament to the enduring power of community service.
So, as we stand here, remember that Shree Sangha is not just a place. It is a symbol of compassion, service, and unwavering faith. A place where the spirit of humanity shines brightly.