GOOD SHEPHERD CLINIC BANKURA



Raja Moses: A dream for the poor people of Bankura was visualized on 15th August, 2011 by the inauguration of a new Good Shepherd Clinic at Bankura.The Rt.Rev.Dr.P.K.Dutta, Bishop of Diocese of Durgapur, Mr. Suman Biswas Youth President of National Council of Churches in India(N.C.C.I) and Mrs.Rita Dutta,President of Durgapur Women’s Fellowship for Christian Service blessed and inaugurated the clinic on that day. The Diocese of Durgapur also distributed wheel chairs to some of the handicapped people of Bankura on this day.
Many respected dignities of the diocese along with a gathering of one hundred people were found in the inauguration programme.We thank our Almighty for giving us an opportunity to serve the poor people. We are for the people and their love is for us.

Wheel Chair Distributed to the Physically Challenged


Raja Mojes :-The Diocesan Womens Felloship for Christian Service of the Diocese of Durgapur, distributed Fifteen wheelchairs to the physically challenged childrens of ‘Durgapur Handicapped Happy Home’ on 24th August 2011. 
This is one of the programmes of Diocesan Women Fellowship for Christian Service, which has reached to the physically challenged peoples around the Durgapur. On 15th of August Ten wheelchairs were also distributed at Bankura

Vanamahotsava Celebrated in Bankura


Gargee Seth: - On 15th July Vanamotsav was celebrated in St. Michael's School, Bankura. There was a rally with students, teachers, forest staff, and dignitaries from D.F.O. Office to St. Michael's School, Bankura. The programme was attended by the Principal of St. Michael's School, Durgapur, D.F.O. S. Kulandaivel, Chairperson Mrs. Shampa Daripa, Mrs. Susmita Das (Executive member of Diocese of Durgapur), and Rev. Tarun Mandi. Mrs. Shampa Daripa said "One Tree One Life", D.F.O. said that "One sapling is one life. If we cut the sapling we are destroying life. Plants are our family".
They also planted trees on the school premises. A cultural programme was performed by the students and light refreshment was arranged for all.

Ecumenical Solidarity for HIV & AIDS (ESHA)

Rev. P. K. Nayak :-On 29th July 2011, a Clergy Retreat and the National Council of Churches in India, with the collaboration of Diocese of Durgapur,  jointly organized a special programme on “Ecumenical Solidarity for HIV & AIDS (ESHA). The inaugural service was marked by a special order of prayer service prepared and led by Rev. Swagata Das, the Presbyter-in-Charge of St. Michael’s Church, Durgapur, and was attended by one and all presbyters and The Bishop. The resource person Mr. Subhobrata Das, Coordinator, Arunadoy Hospice, Kolkata explained very vividly and in a simple manner that these days many people are affected by this problem. This has become the a red alert and matter of concern for the present society.   This horrible and terrible disease was first identified in America in 1981 and in India in particular at Chennai in 1984. HIV means ‘Human Immune-deficiency Virus’ and AIDS means ‘Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome’. To eradicate this disease we need to stand hand in hand and help one another to get better treatment, to encourage prevention,and to take precautions. This disease is mainly transmitted in the following manners: heterosexual and Homosexual acts, syringe and needles blood donation. Our responsibility is to identify and help to get his/her blood check up done in the I.C.D.C  free of cost and to make medicines available too. He or She should not hide this problem to tell the reliable person who can help. The people need to live a social and good moral life so that it can be prevented. If not they should use preventative methods to prevent and protect one self and society at large.

AIDS IS A SLEEPING LION


Supriti Das:-  AIDS – Accuried Immunity Deficiency Syndrome, AIDS is one of the most dangerous disease in the whole world. AIDS is seen as a sleeping Lion, which is not found often among people as the peocese for the cure of the this disease is rarely found in India, due to which it is hardly found. And because of this we (the people) feel safe. But this perspective is totally wrong as HIV itself is not a disease, rather a virus. Which enters the human body and spreads diseases in the body, such as cough, cold, fever, tuberculosis etc. which ultimately leads to the death of the person. These diseases act as symptom to AIDS.

We do not have the cure to this dangerous disease but there is a hope of stopping this from spreading among people by taking certain measurements. To spread this awareness among the Women Fellowship of Diocese of Durgapur, a one day seminar has held at the shanti Griha, Durgapur. Sister Sangeeta Gorai of Khristiya Seva Niketan, Sarenga being the mains speaker conducted the session of the seminar under the Nation Council of Churches in India. Many members of the Women Fellowship of Diocese of Durgapur came from different pastorates, they were a total of 34 (members).

Queries like – what is AIDS? How is it traced? How does it spread? How can it be prevented from spreading?, etc. was answered. Sister Gorai said that it is especially the women who can spread the awareness and take steps to prevent it.

Tribal and Adivasi Sunday observed at St. Michael’s Church, Durgapur


Rev. Swagata Das :- The National Council of Churches in India is the united expression of the Protestant and Orthodox Churches in India. It is a Common Platform for thought and action by bringing together the Churches and other Christian organizations for mutual consultataion, assistance and action in all matters related to life and witness. In the context of the frightening reality of the increasing violation of Human Rights and Dignity of Indigenious peoples, Tribal and Adivasi in India at present, the National Council of Churches in India is of the strong opinion that the Church can no longer remain a silent observer.
In this undestanding of the life situation of the Tribal and Adivasi communities “Life with Dignity and together with Nature” took place  during 7th to 9th August , in partnership with the Diocese of Durgapur, CNI at Shanti Griha. About 25 deligates from the Churches (Kerela, Tamilnadu, Jharkhand, Mizoram) and the Civil Society from the tribal and Adivasi concerns came together for this seminer deliberating on various issues.
The inauguration of this seminer was taken place on 7th August with a very meaningful inagural service at St. Michael’s Church, Durgapur where a special liturgy was followed with Holy Communion. The texts Psalm 72: 1-20 and  4: 18-19, which are best known for their concerns on justice, Shalom and dignity of the people and for the whole creation were chosen for this special service and the preacher was Rev. Swagata Das.
Amidst the vast issues, Dr. Hrangthan Chunggi, Executive Secretary of the National Council of Churches in India – Commission on Tribal and Adivasi, and Rev. Dr. P.B. M. Basaiawmoti, Vice-President, of the National Council of Churches in India were concentrated on the issues that affect the very existence of tribal and adivasi peoples- such as life with dignity together with nature. The other speakers contributed to the process of deeper thinking and exploration on 1. Response from Social Service and Movement for A Just –Mission for the tribal and Adivasi Communities in India; 2. Church’s response for A Just –Mission for the tribal and Adivasi Communities in India; 3. Theological Education and its impact to the local congregation for  A Just –Mission for the tribal and Adivasi Communities in India.  On 9th August 2011, the United nation International Indigenous day started with beautiful Eco-Friendly meditation by Dr. H. Chunggi and then the celebration of the day opened by  symbolic action. The indigenious people’s cultural group from Kerela, Santhals from the Durgapur Child Study and Development Centre, Mizoram and Tamilnadu came to bring out the rich cultural diversites, colors and heritage of the indigenious people of India and the librative motifs. The programme was ended with the encouraging words of the Bishop, The Rt. Rev. Dr. Probal Kanto Dutta and presentation of momentoes to the participants and to the deligates. The prospect of the whole programme has conveyed a new meaning of the Kingdom of God for the Tribal and Adivasi communities in Indiathat the Kingdom of God is liberation from the bondages of all kinds of oppressions experienced in this  world here and now. 

A NEW CHANCE IN LIFE


Raja Moses : Christians are called by Jesus to love the poor and care for children in need. In Matthew 18:5, Jesus tells us, “Whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me.”
To show Christ’s love in a lasting, meaningful way is the goal of the Interfaith Community Study Center,Bankura, one of the projects run by D.W.F.C.S, Diocese of Durgapur—a trusted Christian humanitarian organization. This project helps to provide children with access to life-changing essentials like nutritious food, healthcare, and educational opportunities — helping them reach their God-given potential.

SK-Rakesh is a young Muslim boy living in a slum village in Bankura, near the Interfaith Community and Study Center (IFCSC). His father was recently put into prison on charges of beating his wife. His mother Rakhi works as a maidservant in someone’s household, while also working to raise Rakesh and his older brother Juman. The family struggles to survive off of his mother’s small income of around Rs. 1,000 per month, or about 22 dollars. Rakesh often has to skip meals throughout the day. This year, his mother attempted to enroll him in the hostel in Durgapur, where he would receive 3 meals per day and attend school full time. His father, however, upon hearing that he had moved into the hostel, beat his wife severely and required that the boy return home, which he did immediately.

Since he began attending the after-school program at the IFCSC six months ago, this 5-year-old’s life has changed tremendously. He now receives a snack every day, and has been officially enrolled at a government school. He studies at the after school center and takes part in dance and tae kwon do lessons. Teachers at the center are aware of his family situation and help to watch over him. While his future is still unclear, his options are much broader thanks to his involvement in the IFC.

INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATED AT ASANSOL


Rev. Pratap Kumar Nayak :- St. Paul’s Church Asansol together with Prochesta and St. Peter’s School Celebrated the 65th Indian Independence Day on 15th August 2011 at 8 o’ clock in the morning. This day was celebrated with great enthusiasm, honour and dignity. The great freedom fighters like Mahatma Gandhi and other Heroes were paid tribute by offerings flowers and prayers. Special prayer service was conducted before hoisting the National flag.

The citizens of Indians were encouraged to live a life of dignity and respect by loving one another and to practice a good moral life within oneself, at family and at large in the society in the vast country of India. The citizens were reminded of their duties and responsibility to carry on so that we can fight against corruption. At last everyone was greeted with Happy Independence Day.

Two Sensible Issues from Bankura Christian College


Dr. R. R. N. Bajpai :- Bankura Christian College observed Baaishe Shrabon (the 22nd day of Shrabon, the fourth month of the Bengali calendar) to commemorate the seventieth anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore’s death with the Principal, teachers, non-teaching staff and students taking part spontaneously. The two hour long programme featured a brief opening address on Tagore’s response to death and bereavement by Dr. Richard R. N. Bajpai who also sang Jibano Maraner Simana Chharaye (Beyond the pale of life and death). Amongst the faculty members, Mr. Arunava Banerjee recitation ably captured the mood of a Tagore poem while Smt. Barsha Biswas presented chronologically Tagore’s creative pursuits with specific regard to those phases which saw the passing away of his elder sinster-in-law Kadambari Devi, his wife, father and children, Renuka and Shamindranath. Tagore songs came to life with Dr. Debasish Bandyopadhyay’s Tomar Surer Dharay (from the stream of your music); it was followed by Mr. Somnath Mukherjee, Mr. Anindya Sen, Dr. Anindita Mitra and Smt. Mousumi Das from the enormous corpus. Songs and recitation by students and non-teaching staff added variety to the programme organized and conducted in a quiet, homely atmosphere. Achoring by Smt. Nolotpala Ghosh added extra gravity to obituary of Great Poet, Rabindranath Tagore.

Recently, the feather in the cap for this institution founded by the Wesleyan Methodist Missionaries in 1903 has been the recognition as a Centre with Potential for Excellence (CPE); with the ongoing process for re-accreditation by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC), infrastructural requirements to implement our prospective academic projects and realize aspirations for all – round development of everyone associated with Bankura Christian College are expected to be met with greater hope and confidence. With 17 departments (English and Bengali offering their respective PF courses as well) the college seems destined to climb higher rungs in society in the days ahead; inter – institutional traffic and active participation in various walk of life by students and teachers alike have grown rapidly in the new millennium making it one of the distinguished colleges in our contemporary society.

Vanamahotshava at St. Peter's School


Kaveri Dey :- Vanamahotshava which practically means planting of thusands of plants suppllied by local government during a specified period. The great sage Rabindranath Tagore, a man with prophetic foresight who first introdeuced this old Vedic Culture of ‘Briksha-Vandana’in Shantiniketan as a compulsary annual programme.
Vanomatshava in the festival of life. It was started in India, as a campaign to save mother earth. The name vanamotshava (the festival of trees) originated in July 1947 after a successful tree planting drive was undertaken in Delhi, in which national leaders like Jwaharlal Nehru, dr. Rajendraprashad and Abdul kalam Azam participated. The concept of this great festival for the nature lovers was first initiated by ( Late) K.M. Munsi, the then Union Minister for Food & Agriculture in the year 1950. He had said, “Trees mean water, water helps to grow Wheat and Bread, and it is bread that gives and sustains life. Without trees and forests Lord Indra’s clouds will not bless us. Without the water that water there can be no revers and no rain-fed forests. We must all understand and recognize that the sustenance of human life on this planet cannot be arrenged without trees.”
The reverence of forest conservation and preservation has been honored with due regards in our old scriptures of all religious the Vedas, Puranas and the Upanishads and the Ramayana and Mahabharata. But, ironically this is dismally a matter of pity that in today’s world this asset is going to be driven to the verge of extention globally, so to say heading towards death-knell. The axe and gun had over the years been the only tools in the hands of mad civilized man to eke out living not only for his need but more so for his greed.
The present day’s scenario, therefore, evokes us all be foresty consious to safeguard Mother earth. To honour this noble sentiment, the eco-club members of st. Peters’s School, mirabai Road, Durgapur celebrated Van Mahotsava on 29th July 2011 by organizing a short pregramme on the importance of Vanmahotshava. The vanmahotshava programme began with a welcome speech delivered by our revered Principal, Mr. Daniel Victor Thomas on the importaince of planting trees. Therefore, the students of class IX, Pratysha Chowdhury and Agni Behra, delivered an introductory speech on Vnamohtshava. This was followed by a presentation of short skit on “saving our trees” by the students of the primary and the secondery sections which was well appreciated by all. The skit was unique blend of drama, dance and poetry.
The students participated in the rendition of poem titled ‘Nature’s Divinity’ and ‘Nature’s Cry’. Students also participated in making placards,charts,posters and collages based on this theme. Thereafter, the venerated chief  guest Dr. Ranu Mukherjee, a renowned Physician and Surgeon of Durgapur Steel Plant Hospital, presented her speech on the significance of celebrating this festival. Our respected Princuipal, Mr. Daniel Victor Thomas, honored her with a bouquet of flowers and with a preceless  gift. The programme was concluded with the ceremonial plantation of saplings by the Chief Guest, the Principal and the Vice Principal. The teachers and students also participated in planting of saplings of trees around the school campus. The sincere effort of both teachers and students was acclaimed by our respected Principal.
Trees are among primitive man’s first deities. Not the last though, for even today in India, the Banana and Peepal trees are worshipped. If the nation has to survive, the philosophy of life must be understood not only in words, ideas or achievements but in terms which would replant us firmly on the Earth and under shady tree. Our forests, unlike any other natural wealth are renewable. Their protection and presentataion is as important as our life is to us. These have been victimized by human threat. Let us, therefore, embrace this precious gift bestowed upon us by the God and add essay competitions  are not going to hold any good. We have to come up in practical sanctity and everyone,of us, irrespective of gender have to plant at least ten plants as the saying goes that’equal to ten wells is a tank; equal is a son and equal to ten sons is a tree’. And not only that we have not to abandon after planting but bring them up like our progenies with utmost affections.

Events & Programmes of St. Michael’s Church


Roma Pradhan:- St. Michael’s Pastorate has been busy in celebrating, experiencing and learning in God’s knowledge care and love. On 21st of July 2011 all members of the Church came together to pray as one family in celebration of parent’s day. The Presbyter In-Charge Rev. Swagata Das distributed small tokens to every parent present. After service the Sunday School Children gave Roses to all the members. This was followed by a beautiful skit enacted by the Sunday School children. They depicted the lack of care in the present day family towards our parents. This was an awakening message to all present. The programme ended with words of inspiring by Rev. S. Das.

On the 14th of August 2011 our Church dedicated the Sunday Service to Rev. William Kerry. The Sunday message was delivered by the Secretary of the Pastorate. She is spoke about the diligent and selfless service rendered by William Kerry in Bengal. She also highlighted how God used Rev. Kerry for his service as he silently put his personnel pain and tragedy aside. The Presbyter In-Charge challenged all members present to try and emulate Kerry’s service to Church and Christian Communities. The day’s collection was sent to Serampore College as a mark of solidarity.

On 15th of August 2011 along with the rest of the country St. Michael’s Church celebrated Independence Day by unfurling the National Flag in the Church Compound. Rev. Swagata Das read from the Gospel of St. Luke. The Secretary of the Pastorate spoke about the freedom fighter of yesteryears highlighting Mahatma Gandhi’s Non Violence and Christian principle as he strove towards Indian Independence. 

Daughter’s of the King visist the sick


L. Kobiraj :- Daughter’s of the King, Wpmen of faith Chapter has been visiting the and prayintg. Mrs. Archana Dey the secretary of the Chapter has undergone a major operation in Kolkata. The team of the “ Women of Faith”, Durgapur, lead by Mrs. Rita Dutta, President of the Chapter and mrs. L. Kobiraj member visit her and prayed with a Shawl.
Later mrs. Chandana Das a volunteer teacher of Durgapur Child Study and development centre, whose husband was admitted to a local hispital with renal failure, was visited by Mrs. Rita Dutta, Mrs. L. Kobiraj and Mrs. Sangeeta Lippert. Mr Das wanted prayers since there was no priest available the members of the Daughter of the Kings visit him in the hospital and prayed him.

BISHOP’S VISIT TO UNITED KINGDOM


Pratap Nayak: The Bishop of the Diocese of Durgapur visited UK to campaign for the 40 years anniversary celebration of the Diocese of Durgapur.  During his visit he meet many missionaries who at one time worked in the Diocese of Durgapur and also made new friends for the Diocese of Durgapur.

On 9 June there was a meeting with the Asia Secretary of the Methodist Church in Britain Mr. Steve Pierce along with the team Leader Mr. Michael King and Ms. Chris Elliot.  Bishop explained the contribution by the Methodist church and encouraged them to come for the annual Thanksgiving service on the first Sunday of February 2012.
From 10 June, the Bishop meet Revd. Roy Lowes, Moderator of the United Reformed Church, West Midland Synod and also attended the Summer School at Launde Abbey along with Revd.Pratap Nayak a priest from the Diocese of Durgapur.
From 16 June the Bishop visited Nottingham and preached at Nuthall Methodist Church  and also meet the chair of the Nottingham and Derby District.  It was also an opportunity to meet Revd. Ralph Blow who used to be at Bankura Christian College, Bankura.
From 20 June the Bishop meet Revd. Neil Drayton and Karen Drayton at Widnes.  During his stay he meet people from the Methodist church and St.Michael’s Church and shared about the work in the Diocese specially with children from the Slums.  Later he visited the Bread Making Church in Liverpool

From 24 June the Bishop visited Eapsom Methodist Church where he preached at two services.  The Revd. Nick Obsiski was the contact and the Superintendent Minister.
From 1 July the Bishop was at Hanwell in London.  On 3 July the Bishop preached at St. Thomas the Apostle church at Boston Road.
During this trip the Bishop also meet Dr. David Goodall, former Doctor of Krishiyo Seva Niketan, Ms.Edna Whewell and Ms. Iris Swayer, both who worked as nurse at Samadhi.

WORLD POPULATION DAY

Sulekha Das :- The Inter Faith Community Study Center ( a project run by DWFCS) and Bankura Leprosy Mission jointly observed the World Population Day on 10th July 2011 at Bankura. About five hundred students and teachers from the Vocational Training Center of Bankura Leprosy Mission and Inter Faith Community Study Center and Church members marched the streets of Bankura, with placard and festoons. The message was “We are two and we have one” and “Small Family- Happy Family”. This was the first time that witnesses this rally on the World Population Day. At the end of the procession a public meeting was organized at the Bankura Central Church. Mrs. Santa Das the center in charge of Interfaith Community Study Centre and the Principal of the VTC, Leprosy Mission Mr. Arunangsu Biswas shared about the importance of population restriction and also shared about the work of Leprosy Mission in the town. The Revd. Amiya das, the parish priest of Bankura Pastorate gave some case studies on how population has affected our country. After the public meeting street plays were staged at ten strategic places in Bankura as a part of the awareness campaign presented by VTC students.  This street plays were exclusively scripted and directed by Rev. Amiya Das for this occasion and was enacted with Mr. Sunit Singh and Mrs. Raktima Singh taking the lead in starting them. 

CHICKENS SUPPORT CHILDREN IN DURGAPUR



Raja Moses : It is said that human beings have heart to love, but chickens also have heart to love.  Ms. Valarie Moffat a friend of the Diocese of Durgapur living in United Kingdom, is one of the Managers of the National Health Service in UK.  She keeps chickens and goats in her farm in Uckfield.  These chickens lay eggs all the year round.  One wonders with two members of her family living in the house, how many eggs do they require?  But the real fact was that Valarie sells eggs after keeping some for her house.  The money she gets from the selling of these eggs is given to some Charity.  This year she has given half the money to support the children in Durgapur.
The Lord blesses a cheerful  giver.

Chicken Support


Green Environment – Clean Environment


Nina Nancy Murmu :– Trees are the most essential part of  our living system. Every creature on this Earth directly or indirectly depend upon trees for food and shelter.
On Sunday 10.07.2011 in St. Peter’s Church, Chittaranjan ,a noble programme was organized – Tree Plantation Programme after the Church service. The whole congregation gathered at the Church Compound. The programme started with a prayer by Rev. Sudhir Hembrom presbyter-in-Charge. After that, the senior members of the Church began planting the trees, followed by participation of every member. The members of St. Peter’s Church being very sincere towards the environment planted nearly Twenty Five trees in the Church Compound. Now a days when trees are being cut down for industrial and other purposes. Planting new trees is really a matter of appreciation. This green environment is a beautiful gift of God to this humankind and preserving it is the duty of every human being. So, we should plant as many trees as possible in our house and neighborhood and make a green environment and clean environment.

Anti Trafficking


Khagendra Nath Das :- We are used to read in daily news paper and hear cases of kidnapping, abduction, selling of women, girls, youths as well as rescue stories.  These are news we are now used to but hardly tried to ponder in it . Why and how these are happening ? who does it? One will wonder to know that Anti trafficking is the third largest in the world after WAR and DRUGS. hu(wo)man trafficking is an issue for almost all countries and states. Human trafficking is the illegal trade in human beings for the purposes of reproductive slavery, commercial sexual exploitation, forced labour, or a modern-day form of slavery. assist the victims of trafficking in persons with full respect for their human rights. Human trafficking are of 3 types –i) the recruitment, ii) transportation, iii) transfer, or receipt of persons, by means of the threat or use of force or other forms of oppression, of abduction, of fraud, of deception, of the abuse of power or of a position of vulnerability or of the giving or receiving of payments or benefits to achieve the consent of a person having control over another person, for the purpose of exploitation. Exploitation shall include, at a minimum, the exploitation of the prostitution of others or other forms of sexual exploitation, forced labour or services, slavery or practices similar to slavery, removal of organs.
Being concern and sensitive to the issue diocese of Durgapur has initiated activities to prevent and stop anti trafficking. A meeting was  convened on 20th May by the Bishop of the diocese, Rt.Rev.Dr. Probal Kanto Dutta with Mr.Sudipta singh, director HPDP-CNI and diocesan representatives and it was decided that  diocese ought to respond and address this issue as part of   church service to greater humanity. Particularly in the area like South and North Dinajpur districts which is  a thin corridor passage to North Eastern states and the area is sharing boarding with Bangladesh and Nepal. 24 panchayat of Five blocks on north and south Dinajpur districts  have been identified and selected for the purpose.  
As part of anti trafficking strategy, the diocese will evolve a vigilant group from a village to panchayat to block to districts and the process will involve and encourage civil society, police, administration, legislatives, panchayat and village organizations to encounter trafficking rackets in the area. Village level youth clubs, self help groups, school children, particularly be equipped with information to function as grass root level vigilance group. Each pastorate level functional groups also could equip to resist and prevent anti trafficking and  in their own area.

Spiritual versus Earthly Freedom


Sara Grace Lacy :-August 15th marks Independence Day in India, and it is therefore necessary this month to contemplate how we truly understand the meaning of freedom. The world around us provides many definitions of freedom in various contexts. For example, the Indian Constitution guarantees six fundamental rights to all Indian citizens, including the right to equality; freedom from discrimination against religion, sex, caste, etc.; and freedom from exploitation or forced labor. 
But in a country housing roughly one-third of the world’s impoverished people, according to the World Bank, to what extent does “freedom” really exist? How free are the rickshaw pullers who cart hundreds of pounds worth of people and objects around busy cities using, literally, only their bare hands? Or the daily wage laborers who work long hours doing manual labor in order to earn the equivalent of 1-2 dollars per day? How free are the millions of Indian people—about 456 million, according to 2008 World Bank estimates—living below the International Poverty Line of earning at least $1.25 per day? Or, perhaps worst of all, how “free” are the children we saw at the train station in New Jaigulpuri last week who had clearly been trained in the art of begging by pointing to consecutive injuries on their bodies—ones that were no doubt inflicted by whomever kept their “earnings” each day? 
Earthly “freedom” is a concept that must be evaluated differently based on environment and social context. In every country in the world, however, poverty negates the opportunity to pursue individual ambition and personal comfort. That is not to say that one’s level of “freedom” is correlated to their level of wealth, for bondage to economic pressure, political ties, and material desires exist at every level of society. But the lack of choice associated with the financial and physical constraints of poverty are, undeniably, counterproductive to the political ideals that documents like the Indian Constitution claim to uphold. 
Rabindranath Tagore, the renowned poet of West Bengal, writes that freedom exists “where the mind is without fear and the head is held high, where knowledge is free, where the world has not been broken up into fragments by narrow domestic walls…where tireless striving stretches is arms towards perfection.” In Luke 4:18, Jesus speaks of his mission in Nazareth by explaining that the Spirit of the Lord has “anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free.” In Romans Paul states that while the world suffers now, “creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God (Romans 8:20-22). The words of Tagore, Jesus, and Paul give us a different perspective of freedom: one that cannot be defined or withheld by any political entity or economic system. 
True freedom—perhaps the only kind that is practically attainable—exists in knowing truth, according to Tagore; in knowing equality, according to Jesus; and in knowing goodness, according to Paul. Truth, equality, and goodness are qualities which our daily lives obscure, but which God grants access to when we put our trust in him. God provides the ability to see the world as he intended, and that is something that no person can ever take away. In working to obtain a greater level of “freedom” for an oppressed group of people, we must remember that the greatest service we can provide is to show the love and joy of God in all that we do. While job-training and English educational programs may make the words of the Indian Constitution more accurate, freedom itself is found on a much deeper level—one that we must look to God to provide.  

St. Martin’s Hostel, Purulia Gets Inverter



Amiya Das :- A new hostel for the deprived children in Purulia receives a new inverter for their hostel. Purulia a district of West Bengal is badly affected by power cuts as it is a remote place. These children who would be staying the hostel will have difficulty in the night for their studies. The Congregation members of 

St. Martin  of Tour Episcopal Church, Kalamazoo, U.S.A., donated this inverter which will help the children in the hostel to get alternative electricity when there is power cut.

Market Garden


Austin Spry :- During June and July the market garden of St. Michael's Church compound was greatly expanded. In previous years, thanks to the hard work, skill, and dedication of the compound's resident farmer - Arun Chatterjee - the fertile soil of the Market Garden has produced bumper crops of potatoes and other field vegetables. This year the decision was made to take the Market Garden to a new level, with the addition of fencing and the planting of a variety of fruit trees.
The Market Garden serves two purposes, to make the St. Michael's Church compound more sustainable through it's ability to produce its own food, and to provide an educational opportunity for the children at the Durgapur Child Development Center. The addition of various fruit trees to the compound gardens will diversify crop production, and provide additional nutritious foods for compound residents. Fruit trees also have the added bonus of yielding their bounty year after year, while only needing to be planted once! Children, residents, guests, and everyone connected the St. Michael's community will be enjoying nature's gifts of guavas, bananas, pineapples, papayas, jaam, coconuts, and lemons for years to come!
The expansion of the market garden has been made possible by the support of Bishop Probal, the generous gifts of fruit trees by guests Akino Ogawa and Emma Dalby, and the hard work the boys at the Durgapur Child Development Center. In particular, the St. Michael's Compound is blessed to have Arun as a resident farmer: there are very few farmers who show such knowledge of both animal husbandry and horticulture, and even fewer who are so ready to impart that knowledge to the next generation! Not only will the children of St. Michael's Church Compound be able to enjoy the fruits of their labours, in the future they will be able to produce these fruits themselves!

Fund Raising and Gainning a Pen Pal

Christopher Bourne:- St. Peter’s School, under the Diocese of Durgapur have pledge to raise funds through the sale of non – postal stamps brought out by the DWFCS. Post Offices in our Country have become redundant with the rapid growth of technology. We students today, have no need to enter a Post Office, purchase stamps required for letter writing. Most students have computers and mobiles through which short messages and mails are sent in quick time. However for the fund raising drive, one of the spare classrooms have been converted into a Post Office. Each student has been given a fund raising form with each line costing Rs. 10/- only. As and when the fund raising is completed, each student exchange their  funds for non-postal stamps at the Post Office depending of on the number of lines sold. During our English classes, we write letters to our friends at the centers and hope to develop our letter writing skills which is part of our syllabus. Post boxes have been placed at each block where student drop their letters. Our letters are carried to the five Centres and hopefully we should be receiving a reply from our new pen – pals. Its great fun being involved with the under privileged children. Three cheers!!! For the ladies of the DWFCS.

Budding Roses


Raja Moses :- The people live in this slum area work as daily wage labourers. Due to poverty they do not send their children to school. In some families, the girls are taken out of school to help parents in caring for the younger siblings, fetching water and cooking. During the season the girl child is taken to work in the fields to support their parents. Child Rights are not protected and exposed to violations. Sometimes the girls are dropped out from school because parents arrange child marriages.
“ A Rose can live amongst thorns and yet never be injured by them ”
Two girls Krishna and Mithu Das hails from a poor and poverty stricken family. Father,Dilip Das  is a daily wages rickshaw puller and mother Purnima Das works as maid servant in the nearby colonies.As the parents have five children cannot unable to educate their children with their meager income.
PROCHESTA, Asansol one of the center of our slum children project have identified these girls Krishna and Mithu in the program who has discontinued their studies due to their family situation. Both of them done their schooling upto class four. The center incharge and the teachers have motivated their parents to send them  to the center. As this center teaches sewing,so it has provided all the sewing assesories and other essential needs to them. They are attending the program from last five years  regularly and also taking part in the different activities in the center. Their ambition is to become a good citizen and serve the poor community of our society. They always conveying their heartfelt gratitude to all the person involving in the program for saving their life and make it like a budding roses.