Swami Vivekananda
Srimat Swami Buddhanandaji Maharaj
(1915 - 2002)
Founder of Shri Ramkrishna Ashram, Nimpith
"Penniless, but with a buring and pioneering zeal I plunged myself headlong into the solemn and supreme task of bettering the lot of the down-trodden people with the aid and co-operation of a devoted and selfless band of workers"
…….Said in his speech in 1980
The main motive of Sri Ramkrishna Ashram, Nimpith was to help people by solving generic problems, like poverty, unemployment, illiteracy, illness. Over time, Nimpith Ashram worked on almost every possible problem. Swami Buddhanandaji Maharaj founded Sri Ramkrishna Ashram, Nimpith in 1960. The goal was to serve the distressed, the deserted and the destitute as adorable Shiva in the obscurity of the Sundarbans. The Ashram had virtually waged a ceaseless war against poverty, hunger, ignorance and social injustice, though scanty were its resources.
Two schools were built for boys and girls, Nimpith Ramakrishna Vidyabhavan and Nimpith Sarada Vidyamandir. Like any other Ramkrishna Mission school, discipline is one of the key things to learn here. This culture further helps them to structure their lives. To help farmers, Krishi Vigyan Kendra was made. Also, a hospital is available to provide basic and emergency treatment although it lacks modern facilities. I do believe something is always better than nothing. In case of serious illness, they refer to hospitals and nursing homes at Kolkata which is approx 40 kilometers away. A lot of other infrastructure like Janaklyan Kendra, Biotechnology lab, etc are in place to help local livelihoods.
Ramkrishna Ashram is a place where we can find peace. Whether sitting in prayer hall or outside near the garden. No matter which Ashram it is, the same environment is the same in all Ashrams. I have been to this particular Ashram couple of times, each time I felt so calm. This place has become a tourist attraction point also due to Kaikhali, one of the gateways towards Sunderban. You can also visit the nearest Maa Sarada Ashram by 10 minutes walk.
