बलराम करण समाज के पिताहीन, पहचानहीन, अपमानित और उपेक्षित अनाथों के सपने बनाने के शिल्पकार हैं। जिसका पता एक समय एक प्लेटफॉर्म, एक फुटपाथ या एक डंप था। आज वे उसके अंत्योदय अनाथालय के निवासी हैं। जब हम अपने एक या दो बच्चों की देखभाल करने की बात करते हैं तो हम कितनी बार धैर्य खो देते हैं? लेकिन वह एक असाधारण चरित्र है। हर पल इतनी कठिनाइयों से गुजरने के बावजूद, वह विनम्र है। वह अविभाजित मेदिनीपुर के प्रत्येक लोगों के लिए एक चमकदार उदाहरण है। मिडनापुर-डट-इन महान व्यक्तित्व को "मेदिनी-आचार्य" के रूप में सम्मानित करने पर गर्व है।
उनका जन्म 1968 में पूर्वी मिदनापुर जिले के पौसी गाँव में एक गरीब परिवार में हुआ था। पिता स्वर्गीय खगेंद्रनाथ करण हैं और माता स्वर्गीय रेबतीबाला करण हैं। मैं तीन भाइयों और तीन बहनों के परिवार में बड़ी मुश्किल से पली-बढ़ी हूं। माध्यमिक विद्यालय पास करने के बाद, कई बाधाओं के बावजूद, नाचिन्दा जीबन कृष्ण हाई स्कूल में भर्ती कराया गया। चूंकि उनके पास छात्रावास में रहने के लिए पैसे नहीं थे, इसलिए उन्होंने खुद खाना बनाया और खाया। हाई स्कूल पास करने के बाद, पैसे की कमी के कारण पढ़ाई बंद करनी पड़ी ।
उन्होंने परिवार के मदद करने के लिए पढ़ाई की उम्मीद छोड़ दी और कमाई पर ध्यान केंद्रित किया। नौकरी का कोई मौका न देख उन्होंने दवाई का धंधा शुरू किया। एकाग्रता और कड़ी मेहनत ने उन्हें कुछ ही दिनों में इस व्यवसाय में सफलता दिलाई। जीवन अच्छा चल रहा था। एक दिन अपने दुकान के लिए दवा लेने गए। जाते समय, एक घटना ने उनके जिदेंगी का राह बदल दिया। वह एक छोटे से लड़के को एक अनुष्ठान घर के बगल में फेंका गया खाना से चुन-चुन कर खाते हुए देखा। बलराम के सीने के अंदर का दिल दहल गया और उसकी आँखों में आँसू आ गए। छानबीन से पता लगा कि बच्चा अनाथ है। उसने किसी अन्य विचार किए बिना बच्चे को अपनी बाहों में ले लिया। वह उसे अपने घर ले आया।
यहीं से शुरू , जहाँ कहीं भी वह अनाथ और असहाय बच्चों को देखता था, वह उन्हें घर ले आता था और अपने बच्चों की तरह उनका इलाज करता था। इसी से बलराम का 'अंत्योदय अनाथालय' शुरू हुआ। लेकिन एक और समस्या शुरू हुई, सारी पूंजी बच्चों के भोजन-वस्त्र-शिक्षा को चलाने में खर्च हो चुकी । कोई रास्ता न देख उन्होंने धान की खेती करने के लिए अपनी जमीन बेच दी। कुछ दिनों बाद, उनकी आय का आखिरी स्रोत दवा की दुकान थी। इस बीच, उस समय आश्रम में 28लड़के और लड़कियां थीं।
एक दिन एक ऐसी स्थिति थी, जहां भीख मांगने के अलावा और कोई रास्ता नहीं था। ऐसे कठिन समय में भी बालाराम एक फैंसी पद्धति के साथ आए। उन्होंने गांव में 136 परिवारों के घरों के सामने मिट्टी का एक बर्तन छोड़ा। उन्होंने घर की माताओं से अनुरोध किया कि जितना संभव हो बर्तन में चावल डालें। घर की माताएँ चावल पकाने से पहले मुट्ठी भर चावल बर्तन में डालती थीं। बर्तन में कुल 272 मुट्ठी चावल एकत्र किए गए थे। मैं महीने के 5 तारीख तक उस चावल को इकट्ठा कर लेता था। भले ही उनके सिर पर उचित छत न हो, फिर भी उनका आश्रम फेन-भात और आलूचोखा खाकर किसी तरह दिन गुजरना हो रहा था। तत्कालीन स्थानीय विधायक और मंत्री किरणमय नंद ने आश्रम की पानी की समस्या को हल करने के लिए एक मिनी गहरे ट्यूबवेल और 10,000 रुपये का दान दिया। साथ ही 'काजला जनकल्याण समिति' नामक एक स्वैच्छिक संगठन भी हर महीने कुछ पैसे की मदद करता था।
फिर 2004 में, पौष संक्रांति से कुछ दिन पहले, बलराम और उनके कुछ दोस्तों ने फैसला किया कि पौष संक्रांति के दिन, वे आश्रम के लिए मदद लेने के लिए दीघा जाएंगे। क्योंकि उस दिन कोलकाता और अन्य शहरों से बहुत सारे पर्यटक दीघा आए थे। दीघा निर्दिष्ट दिन पर 5, 10, 15, 20 और 25 रुपये के कूपन लेकर पहुंचे। लेकिन असली तस्वीर अलग थी, ज्यादातर पर्यटकों ने उनकी बात नहीं मानी। दिन के अंत में लगभग कुछ भी एकत्र नहीं किया गया था लेकिन सौभाग्य से बातचीत सुब्रत गुहा नामक पत्रकार के साथ हुई थी। हालाँकि बलराम तब नहीं जानते थे कि सुब्रत गुहा पत्रकार थे। आश्रम की कहानी सुनकर जिज्ञासु सुब्रत बाबू ने पता लिखा।
कुछ दिनों बाद, एक दिन, सुब्रत गुहा अचानक आश्रम के पते पर पहुँच गए। सब कुछ देखकर और सुनकर, सुब्रत बाबू अपनी दुखद भरी दिल लेकर उस दिन की तरह वापस चले गए। "कलम का बल" - सुब्रत बाबू ने उस कलम की ताकत दिखाई। 14 जून, 2004 को आनंदबाजार अखबार में उनका प्रतिवेदन छपी - " घर घर मे लक्ष्मी की हंडीचावल से बलराम का अनाथालय"।
सुब्रत गुहा के लेखन को प्रतिक्रिया मिली। कई लोग बलराम से संवाद करते रहे। उनकी कहानी कई अखबारों में लिखे गए हैं। कुछ समय बाद, रिपोर्ट 'प्रभासी आनंदबाजार' पृष्ठ पर छोटे प्रिंट में प्रकाशित हुई। उस रिपोर्ट को देखकर, एक प्रवासी बंगाली बिमल रॉय ने जर्मनी से संपर्क किया। बिमल बाबू का जीवन भी बहुत कठिन था। वह एक मजदूर के रूप में काम करने के लिए जर्मनी गए थे। उनके पिता, माता और बहन की देश में एक-एक कर मृत्यु हो गई, वह नहीं आ सके। उन्होंने अपने पिता, माता और बहन की याद में तीन भवनों का निर्माण करवाए। लड़के और लड़कियों को अपने सिर पर एक ठोस छत मिल गई। कई अन्य लोगों की मदद से, सुंदर रसोई, भोजन कक्ष, सीवरेज सिस्टम, स्कूल, धर्मार्थ क्लीनिक, आदि धीरे-धीरे विकसित हुए हैं। इन सभी बातों में, बलराम के साथ हमेशा अपनी पत्नी छवि करण और उसकी बेटी मोयना करण थे।
The journey of Antyodoy Anath Ashram is truly a fascinating one, started about 25 years back, through the emotional act of a local inhabitant, Sri Balaram Karan, by giving shelter to a hapless child of a nearby locality, has culminated to today’s Antyodoy Anath Ashram, an orphanage per excellence, where a good number of destitute children are being brought up under the watchful eyes of the ashram management. Till date, 156 children have been brought up here and at present there are 72 orphans /destitute children residing in the ashram. The orphanage was set up sometime in 1995 at Paunsi, a remote village in Purba Medinipur, was registered in the year 2004 under the West Bengal Societies Registration Act’1961. Apart from the regular academic courses, the children also learn music, dance, drawing/painting etc. in the ashram. Some of them are also acquiring professional skills. Many of them are academically brilliant and under the guidance of the ashram management, have been pursuing higher education too. Consistent efforts are there from the ashram authorities to ensure safety & security of the inmates, high level of hygiene and cleanliness in the premises, healthy bodies & healthy minds of the children. It was a great honour for us when, impressed by the excellent ambience of the ashram and also the facilities available here, the CWC set up their local unit in the ashram premises only. This has significantly facilitated their day to day interactions with the CWC and also enhanced their understanding about their role and responsibilities with respect to CWC.
To ensure hygienic cooking and dining they have built a well-designed cooking area/dining hall that was financed by M/s. L&T as part of their CSR Program. They also built underground drainage and sewage system with financial assistance from the Dept. of Indirect Taxes & Customs, Govt. of India. Children have daily outdoor play/exercise sessions to improve their physique. Believing that books are their best friends, Ashram encourages the children to develop habit of reading books outside the syllabus also. They also try to help them in pursuing professional courses so that they can be self-reliant when they become adults. To develop a healthy mind the children go through a routine of prayer and meditation, daily. Ashram arranges quiz and discussions on topics that would create interest among the children and ignite their desire to learn. They celebrate the birthdays of all great Indians and use these occasions to spread their ideas and teachings. Ashram makes the children participate in cultural programs like dramas, dancing and music. With help of benevolent persons or organisations such programs are sometimes arranged outside also. To generate a sense of responsibility they encourage all the children of the ashram in participative management depending upon their age and ability. However, they make sure that the children are happy and proud of their responsibilities and do not consider it as a burden.
It is indeed a great honour for us that amongst many NGOs of Purba Medinipur, Antyodoy Ashram have been selected by The Women & Child Development and Social Welfare Department, Government of West Bengal and granted registration on 28.12.17 as a Child Care Institution named Snehachhaya in Paunsi, Purba Medinipur, for running a children’s home for 50 girls. Subsequent to that, Antyodoy Anath Ashram was granted renewal of registration on 29.03.19 valid till 25.06.2023. Till date, 159 girls were taken care of by Antyodoy Ashram, out of which 104 have been successfully rehabilitated at their respective places after counselling as well as other supportive measures.
In 2006, Antyodoy Ashram reselected by the Directorate of ICDS scheme, Government of West Bengal (under the Rajiv Gandhi National Creche Scheme) to run crèche centres for providing shelter to babies (age group 1 to 6) of the working mothers hailing from the impoverished populace. Presently, Antyodoy Ashram is running six (6) such crèches taking care of 156 babies under the supervision of specially trained caregivers, providing optimum care and attention.
Necessity of a primary school was a long felt one in this part of the Medinipur district. Like many other noble missions, here also Antyodoy Ashram took the right initiative and set up a nursery school for the infants of the entire locality. The school that started in 1995 got upgraded to a primary school in the year 2006. Till date 2200 kids have studied in the school before successfully stepping ahead to secondary/higher secondary schools for further studies. Presently, 220 students are studying here, out of which some are from Antyodoy Ashrams orphanage while others are from the adjoining localities.
Understanding the importance of health care services for the children of the local villages, Antyodoy Ashram have initiated the under mentioned steps, in association with the rural health centres, Antyodoy Ashram have made it a practice that kids of the locality, without exception, are administered all types of vaccinations at the appropriate time and schedule. Jointly with the Government health centres, they try their best to ensure that the kids/children of the area get the necessary medical supports as and when required. With spontaneous support from the renowned doctors of Kolkata and other areas of the state, Antyodoy Ashram organize regular health check up for the children.
With active cooperation from renowned hospitals e.g Mission Hospital, Durgapur, Priyojon Hospital, Kolkata etc., Antyodoy Ashram is successfully organizing health camps periodically, for the helpless rural people free of cost. In these camps, Antyodoy Ashram also carry out tests like Blood Pressure checking, ECG, Blood Group determination, Blood Sugar test etc. In most of the cases, medicines are also distributed free among the needy ones. In association with the eye specialists/various eye care centres, free eye operation camps are also being conducted regularly by Antyodoy Ashram, for the benefit of the aged ones. Spectacles too, are distributed free of cost to the local inhabitants. Till date, more than 2000 such ophthalmic surgeries have been performed in the area immensely benefiting the local population.
Realizing the plight of the parents from the economically backward sections, in arranging marriage for their grown up daughters, Antyodoy Anath Ashram, in association with Anondolok Hospital, Kolkata, has taken positive initiatives (2006 onwards) for organizing mass marriage programs, free of cost, for the benefit of these people. While the responsibility of finding grooms lies on the family members of the girls, Ashram check the social status/police records of the proposed grooms and their family members before finalizing the marriage. Antyodoy Ashram check the blood groups of the prospective couples too, for any mismatch, whatsoever, which might cause problems afterwards (e.g. Thalassemia). It gives a true feeling of satisfaction when they see that even with their limited resources, Antyodoy Ashram could bring smile in the faces of 156 girls since they started the mission.
As Purba Medinipur is located very close to the Bay of Bengal, the area is quite vulnerable to natural calamities like flood, cyclone etc. the impact of which are truly devastating causing huge predicament for the residents of the area. Amidst such crises, Antyodoy Anath Ashram always extend much needed support to the victims of the disaster by,
● Opening relief centres for giving shelter to the devastated ones
● Preparing/distributing food from community kitchens
● Providing clothing, garments, blankets & bedspreads
● Arranging health check up/medicines for the sick ones etc.
It is indeed a great fortune for Antyodoy Ashram that they are associated with many philanthropic organizations of India and abroad, who always respond to their calls whenever there is a need for their support. They also in still courage and confidence in Antyodoy Ashram during the bad times. Daaybaddho, alokebortika, somobeto, sujan, kundu foundation, Nimta atmojon etc. are few such organizations, with whom Antyodoy Ashram have developed a deep rooted bonding over the years, taking us from strength to strength. With active support from them, Antyodoy Ashram have distributed various items needed by the destitute time and again, providing their day to day needs that include clothing, bedspreads, woolen garments/blankets, umbrellas, rain coats, torch lights etc. to name a few. It is needless to mention that all these materials are given absolutely free. Similarly, with the help from the Book sellers & Publishers guild/Kolkata, Antyodoy Ashram distribute books and all other educational items free of cost to the students of all age groups of the area.
It is extremely unfortunate that their academic brilliance notwithstanding, many bright students from the rural areas of Purba Medinipur are unable to pursue higher education just for want of money. This is a colossal waste of talent and indeed a huge national loss of potential. To find a plausible solution in this regard, Antyodoy Anath Ashram, using all its connections with various donor groups, bodies and even individuals, relentlessly tries to create a link between the two. It gives them real pleasure to see that with this endeavour of Antyodoy Ashram, a good number of meritorious students of this area are successfully pursuing higher studies in good academic institutions.
Illiteracy is a bane and understandably, its impact in the rural areas is more critical as it negates the possibilities of enhancing the earning potential of the villagers, affecting their standard of living. Availability of essential services like health, education, infrastructure etc. in the rural areas also gets affected because of the same. It is a declared mission of Antyodoy Anath Ashram to eradicate the curse of illiteracy in the area to the extent possible. There are various philanthropic organizations, which have joined hands with Antyodoy to fight against illiteracy together. Anudeep Foundation, Utkarsho Bangla, Ann Foundation, USA are some of the groups extending helping hand to Antyodoy in this mission.
Festivals are of great importance in strengthening the bonding among different cross-section of people as well as reinforcing the social fabric. It is of more importance in the rural areas, where other avenues of recreation is generally less as compared to the metropolis. Appreciating the significance of the above, Antyodoy Anath Ashram voluntarily accepted the lead role in celebrating all important festivals of our society. In fact, the local population perpetually looks at the ashram for leading from the front during the festivals. Celebration of Durga Puja, X-mas, Independence day, Republic day, New year, Birth day of the great personalities etc. have virtually become a part of life of the inhabitants of this area, where spontaneous initiatives taken by Antyodoy Anath Ashram deserves special mention.
प्रीति रेखा सामंत (हिंदी अनुवाद)
midnapore.in
● Bengali part of the certificate in writter by - Dr. Bibhas Kanti Mandal.
● Hindi part of the certificate in writter by - Priti Rekha Samanta.