Sudhanshu Biswas, a 98 year old freedom fighter is running an voluntary organisation, which is also known as a divine gift for the poor. The organisation, by the of name Ramkrishna Sevaashram, has thus far established 18 primary level schools in different parts in the Sunderbans region of West Bengal- the region is also popular for fertilized farms, in fact Sundarban is world’s most fertilized region. Even at this age, Mr Bishwas still works day and night for the welfare of the under privileged as his dream is to make every child educated, so that no one in India be dependent on others. Indian can develop only when India is educated.
“I spent 14 years as a wandering saint in the Himalayas. I came across several saints there, who have renounced the material world. I have also spent some years living with the ‘untouchables’ in Varanasi,” Mr Biswas said.
After returning to Kolkata in the 1960s, he built two Ashrams in 1971 at Hottar in South 24 Parganas and later established Sri Ramakrishna Sevaashram near Baruipur. “In 1996, he established as many as 18 free schools for the poor and downtrodden in the most underdeveloped places at Sundarbans. These schools are now self-reliant and do not look for grant anymore,” said Molay Dasgupta, president at Sri Ramakrishna Sevaashram.
Apart from this, the organisation has also taken responsibility of the construction of a temple in Ramakrishnapur. ‘Our village has no temple. This high-rise temple will accommodate 500 devotees. It will accept devotees of any caste, creed or religion. We have decided to celebrate all major festivals of various religions under one single roof,” said Mr Biswas.
Soon after India gained independence, Mr Biswas started reading books of Swami Vivekananda and became a follower of him as his (Vivekananda’s) philosophy has inspired him deeply. It is because of Swami Vivekananda’s inspirations, that Mr. Biswas is still so energetic and agile that he has dedicated himself for others.
Many students from these schools have settled very well in life, claim the teachers in the school. Every morning the students at this school, start their day with the teachings of Swami Vivekananda. Thereafter Mr Biswas teaches Mathematics to the students.
