Amphan Cyclone has left West Bengal and Odisha devastated. The impact has been severe in West Bengal (WB) but Bharat Sevashram Sangha (BSS) a charitable organization has stepped up to the challenge which is too large for the government machinery to deal with all by itself. The organisation has always made important contributions in disaster relief efforts be it floods, earthquakes, cyclones or even the Bhopal Gas Tragedy. The Sangha has undertaken relief work in the most difficult circumstances. BSS even distributed food packets and ration items during the on-going Covid-19 pandemic.

The organisation was well prepared to deal with the Amphan cyclone and had put things in place much before the tragedy actually struck. They set up relief camps in around 20 places such as Gangasagar, Kakdip, 8 No.Lot, Namkhana, Pathar Pratima, Raidighi, Jalghata, Dighirpar, Kankandighi, Dariya, Canning, Sonakhali, Gatkhali, Basanti, Yanpur, Mathurakhand, Hingalganj, Basirhat, Hasnabad and Situlia. The relief camp at Hingalganj alone feeds close to 20000 people. All the relief camps are equipped to provide food and shelter to those who have been affected by the cyclone and sought shelter in these camps.

In addition, to dry food and other relief materials, medicines had also been stock piled well in advance. Also volunteers were trained to deal with all kinds of emergencies that may arise after the storm has receded. Since the state was faced the dual problem of the pandemic and cyclone and as many people had already lost their livelihoods, BSS started distribution of cooked and dry food.

BSS is a philanthropic and charitable organisation started in 1917 by Acharya Swami Pranavanandaji Maharaj who set up the first Bharat Sevashram Ashram in what is today Bangladesh. The organisation which has its headquarters in Kolkata has around fifty branches and associates across the country and around the world. It undertakes relief work during natural calamities, runs school, orphanage, student homes and hospitals, organise tribal welfare activities and conduct rural development programs in the remote Sundarbans.

Volunteers from different branches of BSS have come forward to offer their services and help BSS in their gigantic efforts during these trying times. While the volunteers and the services rendered by them have been very valuable, BSS needs funds to sustain these efforts and continue easing the lives of those affected by the disasters. We at HinduPost request readers to extend a helping hand to the best of their abilities.

(Featured Image Source: BSS Website)