Welcome to Kamakhya Balak Ashram
Kamakhya is a name of a very important Hindu Goddess, Balak means Boy/Boys and Ashram means a Sanctuary/a place of contemplation/learning.
This Ashram was established by one Mr. Madhab Bhattacharjee who is the current secretary and the over all in charge for day to day running of the institution. He was a local businessman, he is also a very religious man. In 1989 he decided to sell off all his businesses to develop this unique institution and to devote his life to the service of the poor helpless orphans. I am yet to meet a man with greater commitment and total dedication to his beliefs and his mission. He runs this institution with strict discipline blended with great love and care. All the children and the staff adore him and look up to him as a father figure..
We call this Orphanage an Ashram, it is unlike any other in the Eastern India, is set on a 5 acres of site with varieties of trees bought in from different parts of India and from Bangladesh. There collections of shrubs, fruit orchards, vegetable gardens, two ponds one of which had been extended and connected to several channels to bring rain water from surrounding areas as a Water Harvesting Project financed by a local Rotary Club. The other pond is used for fish farming and they get a fair amount of fish from the pond.There are 10 Cows, several Swans and Ducks, Rabbits, Goats etc. We get about 7 months supply of vegetable and a good amount of fruits from our grounds.
There are many small buildings scattered over the site providing hostel accommodation, class room, kitchen, dining room, staff quarters and a two room guest house. There are many friends of the Ashram come from various parts of India and from abroad (like myself from UK) like to spend a night or two at the Ashram. This place looks and feels like a true sanctuary after the hustle and bustle of the sprawling city of Kolkata one can escape into a peaceful tranquil world surrounded by 69 happy smiling children.
