The is a well known socio-cultural and philanthropic organisation with multipurpose social welfare activities, having its head office at Kolkata, West Bengal, India and has centers in various parts of India and abroad. It was established by the illustrious patriot Acharya Sreemath Swami Pranavanandaji Maharaj. He was born in 1896.
The Acharya issued forth a clarion call to build the nation.Hundreds of selfless youths joined him. Realisation of self and service to humanity were the twin motto of the Sangh. He shaped the life and character of these young people. As a result, these enthusiastic young disciples of Swamiji embraced into brotherhood of self-sacrificing monks, whose object in life was, besides self-realisation, the various humanitarian activities to serve the people in distress and to elevate their lives in their physical, social, cultural, educational, moral, spritual and religious spheres. The organisation formed with these dedicated workers rapidly grew in size and magnitude. The Sangh came out with the primary objective of helping the distressed, nursing the sick and feeding the hungry. The Sangh also took an oath to stand by the victims in the wake of natural calamities and any such unpredictable disasters and offered immediate relief and long term rehabilitation as far as possible. Swamiji, who was a perfect combination of a dreamer and a doer, rather, a combination of contemplation and action, could realise that to bring about permanent relief to the downtrodden it was necessary to free the people from the curses of poverty, illiteracy, superstitions and moral degradation. Accordingly, he set out with his own concept to eliminate the miseries of the underprivileged masses by improving their social and material condition through a series of planned schemes.
Working on the professed ideals of the Guru Maharaj, about 100 centers of the across the country are relentlessly striving to help the suffering humanity by providing them medical facilities, education, job-oriented training in small-scale and home industries and gain them moral awakening. At times of natural disasters extensive relief operations are undertaken to provide food, shelter, medical treatment, clothing and rehabilitation to the victims.
To get at the cherished desire of its founder, the organisation runs a good number of indoor and outdoor hospitals, schools up to 10+2 level under recognised boards, vocational training centres, youth hostels, yatriniwas and rural multipurpose development projects. Constant efforts are being made to create an atmosphere congenial for moral and spiritual growth of the people, to foster the sense of communal harmony and solidarity and to propagate rich heritage of Indian culture and philosophy in foreign countries through overseas branches.
During festive congregations like Puri Rath Yatra, Amarnath Yatra and Kumbh Mela etc. relief camps are also set up. This is how the Sangh contributes towards nation-building in its own humble way. The organisation depends almost entirely upon public donations and charities for continuance and spread of its activities. It was a thorny path at the outset with seemingly insurmountable obstacles to conquer. There were millions of landless farmers without even the barest minimum of basic needs under ruthless oppression of foreign and Indian rulers who never thought beyond gaining their own interests. But a valiant and determined captain, Swami Pranavanandaji, never gave up. He formed a battalion of dedicated soldiers to get rid of such oppressions. The result is the present country-wide network of monks and self-less workers serving round-the-clock for millions of humanity in distress, not only to cater to their immediate necessities but also to open before them avenues leading to self-reliance and prosperity.
Activities of Delhi branch
Delhi branch of the organisation was established in 1971. With spontaneous assistance and generous support received from all quarters this branch has been quite successful with its various benevolent social-welfare activities. Medical facilities offered by the branch include a well-equipped polyclinic with all major departments such as gynaecology, obstetrics, general medicines, eye, dental surgery, physiotherapy, pathology and radiology under the supervision of qualified specialist doctors. There are also two mobile dispensaries to treat the people living in slum areas in and around the capital. Medicines are available from the polyclinic and the mobile units free of cost. The computer institute run by the branch is affiliated with DOEACC society, a Government of India organisation, and offers 1-year ?O? level diploma course to 30 scheduled tribe boys who are provided with free boarding and lodging facilities. The institute is also open to local youths who are admitted at highly subsidised rate.
Blood donation camps including some specially earmarked for the thalassemics, health check up camps, eye-care/ donation camps are held at regular intervals. The branch actively participate in programmes sponsored by the Delhi Administration and the Central Government such as Polio/Hepatitis- A&B vaccination and and other health awareness programmes.
Under the supervision of the Delhi branch a mammoth socio-economic development project is coming up on the 14-acre land received as donation at Wazirpur, Gurgaon, Haryana state, which will raise standard of living of hundreds of people of the adjoining areas. The project envisages construction of higher secondary and technical schools, hostels and also research and training center to introduce modern methods of cultivation by use of improvised seeds and sophisticated appliances. The organisation is determined to set up a world class educational institution with Indian moral values enriched by the highest form of Indian philosophy. Perhaps, the total project cost is fully depending on the charity and donations by the public and private individuals.
The Gurgaon project
The yatriniwas maintained by the Delhi branch of the Sangh accommodates critical patients and students those who are coming to Delhi from various parts of India for specialised treatment and higher studies, job-seekers, pilgrims, tourists and other outstation visitors. Monks and volunteers participate in different social-welfare and humanitarian activities during and after natural disasters like flood-hit Yamuna-bank, jhuggi-fires or at times of religious and festive congregations and organise medical and relief camps.
The recognition
The multipurpose activities of the Delhi branch of the Sangh are widely praised by the Government machinery, politicians, bureaucrats, scholars and public in general. Prominent citizens have time and again applauded the activities of the Sangh.
(, 211, Rash Behari Avenue, Ballygunge, Kolkata-700 019. E-mail: sw_prashantanand@hotmail.com)
