Bharat Sevashram Sangha

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The "Bharat Sevashram Sangha" is a prominent charitable, philanthropic and religious organization founded by the illustrious patriot and Bengali Hindu saint, Acharya Srimat Swami Pranavanandaji Maharaj in 1917 at Bajitpur (now in Madaripur District, Bangladesh). Bharat Sevashram Sangha is a vast network of volunteers across the globe dedicated to helping people in distress. The Sangha's social welfare activities include disaster relief, spreading education, providing healthcare facilities, vocational training, relief and upliftment of the downtrodden.

Contents 1 The Founder 2 Its Main Office 3 Overseas Branches 4 The Sangha 5 Ideology of the Sangha 6 Funding and Resources

[edit] The Founder

Acharaya Swami Pranavananda was born in 1896. He left this world in 1941 at Ballygunge in Calcutta. In 1917, Acharya Swami Pranavanandaji Maharaj opened the first Bharat Sevashram Ashram in Bangladesh. He shaped the life and character of young boys after those of his own and these enthusiastic disciples formed a brotherhood of self-sacrificing monks. The Sangha then went on to open its Ashram in Kolkata in 1919. It soon had to be shifted to the present location due to rapid growth and expansion in its activities.

[edit] Its Main Office

The address of the international head office of the Bharat Sevashram Sangha is 211, Rashbehari Avenue, Kolkata 700019.

[edit] Overseas Branches

The Acharya initiated several missions abroad, East African states, Malaysia, Indonesia, and other countries. The Sangha has also established associate religious and cultural centres in Trinidad, Guyana, Fiji, USA, Canada, United Kingdom, West Indies, South America and Nepal.

Bharath Sevashram Sangha of North America - New Jersey Chapter [1]

[edit] The Sangha

Bharat Sevashram Sangha is a philanthropic and charitable organization with a firm and enduring commitment to improving the lives of the underprivileged. This guiding principle of concern for the weak and deprived citizens has been the force that has guided its members to dedicate their lives to serving humanity. They are very active in relief work arising due to natural and man-made calamities in India.

[edit] Ideology of the Sangha

The Sangha works on the following ideologies:
BHARAT The cultural and spiritual ethos of India runs through its primary objectives of emancipation of people
SEVA Their commitment to serve people physically, mentally, morally and spiritually.
ASHRAM A disciplined system based on the ideals and practices of renunciation, self-control, truth, confidence and honest labor.
SANGHA A coming together of organizational ideals structured into a framework.

[edit] Funding and Resources

The Sangha's main resources are drawn from its network of more than 400 selfless monks who are devoted to the cause of helping people in distress.

Volunteering is an integral part of this organization's framework.

The volunteers sell pamphlets as a source of earning revenue. They are also occasionally given grants by the local and national governments. The Sangha also receives donations in the form of land from Governments and patrons that are used for the activities of the Sangha. The Sangha and the services dwell on the contributions and donations of individuals and corporates for the cause of charity.