Bharat Sevashram Sangha

 

COOCH BEHAR, Dec. 4: Cooch Behar MP (Rajya Sabha) Mr Tarini Roy laid the foundation of the multipurpose project centre of Bharat Sevashram Sangha at Pundibari in Cooch Behar today. Cooch Behar Sadar SDO Mr Jayanta Kumar Maiti and BSS monks - Swami Pradeeptananda (Beldanga), Swami Barunananda (Guwahati) and Swami Shivsundarananda (Malda) were present on the occasion.

 

From their proposed multipurpose project centre at Pundibari Bharat Sevashram Sangha (BSS) will run their different services to the society especially for the backward and tribal population of this region. Swami Adhyatmananda was appointed as the key person of Cooch Behar BSS branch for the mission.

 

Cooch Behar BSS centre in-charge Swami Adhyatmananda said they purchased the 3-acre land at Pundibari in Cooch Behar near Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya for the proposed centre. In the centre they will accommodate one hundred orphans and arrange their study with medical facility. There will be provision for vocational training too. They will also set up a charitable dispensary with mobile medical unit for poor and tribal people.

 

In other BSS Sevakendras in this region the existing facilities will be improved. Free medical facilities in Allopathic and Homeopathic system of medicines will be expanded. In addition to these the BSS will offer self-employment schemes. In the proposed plan the poor men and women will be provided with training in handicrafts including sewing, embroidery and tailoring so that they can be self reliant, Swami Adhyatmananda said. []

 

Handicrafts competition held

 

COOCH BEHAR, Dec. 4: District handicrafts competition was held at District Industries Centre in Cooch Behar today. Sixty competitors from different areas of the district participated in the competition. They submitted 125 handmade items for consideration in the competition. Cooch Behar Zilla Parishad sabhadhipati Mr Jnanendra Chandra Chanda and district magistrate Mr Rajesh Kumar Sinha distributed prizes among the twelve winners.

 

DIC manager (credit) Mr Sanjib Sen said the competition was held in four categories – jute, Shital Paati, wood and miscellaneous. In the miscellaneous category there were items made of Shola, bamboo, soft toys and dolls. Three prizes were awarded in each category. The first prize winners are : Mr Purna Chandra Mandal (Shital Paati), Mr Samar Chanda (Jute), Mr Subal Sutradhar (Wood) and Mr Sadananda Barman (Bamboo). The first, second and special prize winners were awarded with Rs 1,500, Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 respectively.

 

The first, second, third and special prizewinners in each category and other two participants will be sent for participation in the state level handicrafts competition, Mr Sen said. []

 

Market fire in Dinhata

 

COOCH BEHAR, Dec. 4: In a devastating fire at Chawrahat in Dinhata twenty-six shops were gutted and a few were partially damaged last night. The fire broke out at about 9-15 p.m. Five fire engines rushed to the spot from Dinhata, Cooch Behar and Alipurduar to douse the blaze. Senior officials including Cooch Behar ASP Mr James Kujur too rushed to the spot. After about one-and-half hour the fire fighters were able to control the blaze.

 

Joint secretary of Dinhata Byabasayee Samiti-2001 Mr Narayan Saha alleged that there is no adequate water source near the market. The nearby pond named Rajmata Dighi is drying up due to negligence. As there are many godowns and the large Chawrahat market in the vicinity the authorities should maintain the pond as a source of water during such incidents, he said. An aggrieved local businessman, Mr Bibhu Saha said they had pointed out the scarcity of water during fire incidents several times in the past but no initiative was taken to maintain the nearby pond. Last night, the fire fighters had to experience a tough time during their effort to douse the fire, he said.

 

The traders estimated the loss in last night's fire to several lakhs of Rupees. They also demanded adequate compensation to the affected traders. Police said the actual cause behind the incident is under probe. []