Friends,

We welcome you all present at this meeting and I, on behalf of Governing Body place this report for yourconsideration and adoption.At the outset we pay our homage and respect to Late Mrigendra Mohan Guha, the great humanist.Kholo Aankhi steps into 11th year of its humble journey in the arena of social work to stand by thedisadvantaged and vulnerable section of the society.A strong feeling towards fulfilling our commitment to the downtrodden of the society who remain in thedark and cannot even enjoy primary constitutional right of equality in any respect – used to torment uson many occasions when we met and discussed. Under this socio - economic background, there is nodenying the fact that a larger section live below poverty line and lag behind in every sphere of life –education, health, employment, economic independence and so on. In the backdrop of such magnitudeof problems, twelve of us met one day in early 2009, discussed and decided to serve such people withinour limited means but with deep commitment and empathy.Thus KHOLO AANKHI started its journey on 15th May, 2009 and subsequently was registered under WestBengal Societies Registration Act, 1961 on 5th October, 2009. Many others joined us after we started ourworks. Now the number of members has crossed thirty. There are a large number of friends and wellwishers with us who are our main force and our inspiration.At first we decided to focus on education, particularly the mental nourishment of school going boys andgirls coming from economically and socially disadvantaged families. Only education can give freedomfrom extreme poverty. Poverty is the major obstacle for education. Both in rural and urban areas,particularly those below the poverty line, education remains beyond reach. We initiated our work bydistributing text books to 22 children at two villages.Creating opportunities to generate income for empowerment of women was our next objective.That apart, we have in the mean time entered into new areas with our different projects evolvedsubsequently. In the report we will discuss what we could achieve after walking a decade and what weare yet to achieve.

REPORT OF THE SECRETARY ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNING BODY PLACED BEFORE THE 10th ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF KHOLO AANKHI HELD TODAY, THE

23RD FEBRUARY 2020AT 208, KENDUA MAIN ROAD, PATULI, KOLKATA – 700094

Kholo Aankhi (Open Your Eyes)

1

Basanti Devi Colony:Chingrighata: KolkataRam Mohan Vidya Mandir taught us that the childrenwould not survive in main stream education withoutproper foundation beyond class VIII when they wouldface examinations. This led us to teach the studentsof primary level (class I to class IV) to build their basicfoundation to cope up with main stream educationfrom class V.In 2012 we stepped in Basanti Devi Colony, an areanear Chingrighata, Kolkata, under Bidhan NagarMunicipality after completing some formalities. Fromdoor to door survey we found that though thepeople had been enjoying many facilities of city lifebut their awareness regarding education and healthwere not up to the mark.We introduced an after school learning centre therein a school building. Every day from 5 to 7pmqualified teachers appointed by Kholo Aankhi taughtthem with individual care. Drawing and recitationclasses were also arranged there once in a week. Weprovided all study materials and Tiffin too.

SAHAJ PATH: PROJECT ON EDUCATION

Beliaghata: KolkataAlong with Kalyani we extended the project SahajPath at City area. The then Head Mistress of RamMohan Vidya Mandir for Girls’ High school,Beliaghata, Kolkata requested us to providetuition support to some backward students ofclass V & VI. The picture was that a class V studentcouldn’t read simple text in Bengali and couldn’tdo the basic Arithmetic.To find out the reasons behind theirbackwardness we made a door to door surveyand realized that poverty, lack of awareness andsupport to education are the main barriers.Tuition support was beyond their reach. Such lessprivileged children move from primary schools toHigh schools without learning basics resulting inisolation from mainstream education andeventual drop out.We provided them free quality tuition supportand also some food before commencing theclasses. About 100 girl children were benefitedfrom the project in two years.

Kalyani: Nadia WBKholo Aankhi started its work first at two villages of Nadia District, near Kalyani, West Bengal bydistributing text books to 22 students through the project Sahaj Path. Subsequently after discussionwith the mothers of the children, arrangement was made for free quality tuition support for thestudents of class IX & X and that continued there for three years. Simultaneously we continued our textbook distribution programme to the students of class VI to X. Around 120 students came under the foldof the project by those three years.The students with our support started passing Madhyamik examination. It was beyond theirimagination in the past.Afterward some of them passed Higher Secondary; one girl passed her BA examination also. Two boysare Diploma Engineers by now. Lachima Khatun, the first and still the only Master Degree holderamong two villages was in our first batch. Though they had their post Madhyamik studies with help ofsome others but they still remember us as the ice breaker.

Fredeirick Doughlass taught that literacy is the path from slavery to freedom.

2

Kalyani, Nadia Ram Mohan Vidya Mandir, Beliaghata Basanti Devi Colony:Chingrighata

3

SAHAJ PATH: PROJECT ON EDUCATION

After a gap of 2 years, on 5th January 2019 we held a meetingthere with the ex-students. More than 50 children took partin it. Many of them were continuing their studies and toldthat our support helped them to find a better position in theschool. Some have dropped out for financial reason some forother reasons too. Their guardians we met at the localityexpressed that still they have confidence on us and also saidthat Kholo Aankhi left some good impression on the behaviorand education of the students who were associated with. Wekeep touch with them.In our 10th year celebration programme some girl studentspresented vocal recital led by Smt. Sila Pal, our ex- teacher.

Meeting With The Ex-students

Moreover, we held health camps and eye camps there and arranged for cataract operation of some elderlypeople. We continued it up to the end of 2016 and were compelled to wind up the project under someunavoidable circumstances there from. The students and their mothers bade us good bye with tearful eyes.

Sarada Pally: KolkataWe are coming to our running project now. It is a partnership project with Cathedral Relief Service(CRS), Kolkata. We had started the project at Sarada Pally, Green Park area under ward No. 20 of SouthDumdum Municipality in September 2017 for the primary students (class I – class IV). Since inceptionmore than 100 students came under the fold of this project.

As mentioned In our previous reports, the children come here from impoverished families of twonearby colonies, Bedia Para and Nibedita Colony. Most of them are first generation learners. Ignoranceand indifference about health and hygiene, cleanliness etc. make the environment polluted.

Superstition, addiction, child marriage, child labour, domestic violence etc. are very commonphenomena of the community. The innocent children being victim of the circumstances become erratic,hyperactive and mentally depressed. We make sustained effort to teach them values of life, discipline,basic health and to protect their innocence from the vices of the society they belong to. We also try tobuild up self confidence amongst them.

4

SAHAJ PATH: PROJECT ON EDUCATION

After running the project for two years we realizedthat children will be more benefited in their studies ifwe can catch them from the formative stage that ispre- primary level. In 2019 we started the nurseryclass. At the beginning of the project CRS agreed togive us four rooms to use for holding four classes.Unfortunately in the mid-session they denied us ofusing one room. We had no other way than to makea partition in a room to hold pre – primary classthough it was a financial burden for us. In 2019 wehad no students in class IV, but in 2020 when thestudents of class III were promoted to class IV weneeded one more room. We were committed to thechildren and their mothers to teach them up to classIV to pave their way to high school.This time also, despite our repeated requests CRSrefused to give us back the room of which we weredenied before and we were compelled to divide aroom again with partition. Around 30 students whogo to different schools in the locality are enlistedunder this project.After working here for three years we have earnedconfidence of the guardians and local people. Wehold classes from 5pm to 7pm every day exceptSundays and holidays.

Thoughtful study plan and consistentassessment enhance their learning skill.Special emphasis is put on to increase theirability to read, to write and to do sumscompatible to the classes they read in.

Drawing, origami and some other co-curricular activity classes are held once in a week to nurture theirinner qualities. Various materials and educational charts including multiplication tables, worksheets etc.are used for teaching.Mothers are interested to send their children here for the congenial atmosphere and the children alsoenjoy a quality time in the centre.Five teachers, one for each class are providing support to the students mainly in three subjects Bengali,English and Arithmetic affectionately with patience, individual care and attention. The centre-in –charge supervises all activities, visit the homes of the children and remains acquainted with the statusof students and their families.Teachers’ meeting is held in every month to discuss about the progress and problem of the children. Bi-monthly meetings with the mothers are used as an open forum to exchange views to make the projectmore viable. Every day at least one person from our organization remains present in the centre. Themeetings are attended by available members of Kholo Aankhi.It is to be accepted that their behavioral pattern as mentioned earlier, has been changed to someextent. Their performance and regularity, sense of discipline and obedience have also improved.Psychological counseling, we feel should be the remedial measure to bring them on right track. Wewanted to introduce such counseling but no such counselor could be available. Our efforts will be on inthe matter.

We provide nutritious Tiffin every dayto all the students.

5

ACHIEVEMENTS1. Students of Nursery Class can identify letters and numbers and count both in Bengali and English.2. Students of class I are well versed in reading and taking down dictation in Bengali. They know the names

of flowers, fruits, birds, days, months etc. in English. They know the numbers and spelling from 1 to 100and able to perform simple calculation.

3. Class II students are well versed in conjoined letters, reading and dictation. They have basic knowledgeof English grammar and can do simple addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.

4. Class III students have studied according to their school syllabus.5. A remarkable change has been noticed in the behavioral pattern of the children and they have become

to some extent disciplined now.6. The parents have become conscious about the studies of their wards and sending them to the centre

regularly. Dependence upon private tutor has decreased after our constant persuasion.

SAHAJ PATH: PROJECT ON EDUCATION

THE PROBLEMS WE FACE1. Due to irregular attendance and long absence after festivals some students lag behind in their

studies.2. Some students are still erratic in their behaviour which affects the classes badly.

OTHER ACTIVITIES:

Birth Anniversaries of Swami Vivekananda, Netaji SubhasChandra Bose and Iswar Chandra Vidyasagar were observedat our centre on their respective birth days when ourteachers spoke to the children about significance ofobserving such special days.

On 9th May 2019 the children of our centre celebrated theBirth Anniversary of Rabindra Nath Tagore. They presentedsong, recitation and dance under guidance of the teachers.More than 50 persons including the students, teachers,members and guardian were present and enjoyed theevening.

Teachers' Day was observed on 5th September 2019 at ourlearning center at Sarada Bidyapeeth. Performance ofteachers and students together made the eveningsignificant. The students spoke about the life ofRadhakrishnan. The students’ role as teachers was a specialattraction of the day. The teachers were felicitated by themalso.

Children’s day is observed every year on 14th November.Smt. Anjana Chanda, an ex-teacher of Rammohan Girls’ Highschool comes on this day each year with some gifts andspends time with them.

On 23rd January 2019 Advik, the 3- year old boy came to our learning center of Sahaj Pathproject with his parents to celebrate his Birthday with the children.

6

2nd Annual Sports Meet of the students of Sahaj Path project was held on 27th January 2019 at JagrataSangha Ground adjacent to our center at Sarada Bidya Mandir, Green Park, Jessore road. More than 50persons participated in the events including present and outgoing students, guardians and teachers.Many of our members, friends and well wishers remained present and shared the joys. We are thankfulto Jagrata Sangha club authority and the school committee for their kind cooperation to make theprogramme success. Our special thanks to Smt Namita Naskar for sponsoring the 2nd Annual SportsMeet.When the sports meet was over, Rotary Club of Calcutta Sutanuti and Rotaract Club of Calcutta Sutanutijointly presented blankets and mosquito curtains to all children of project Sahaj Path.Our special thanks to Sri Anjan Roy, president, Rotary Club of Calcutta Sutanuti and Imon Roy, president,Rotaract Club of Calcutta Sutanuti and all other Rotarians for supporting our cause.

SAHAJ PATH: PROJECT ON EDUCATION

On behalf of Drama Dept, Rabindra Bharati University, Monalisa Chatterjee, a young faculty of theUniversity along with the students of the same department, has undertaken a research work in theform of 'Theatre for development' with the children of our organization. Under their guidance thechildren presented two dramas ‘Jangaler Galpo’ and ‘Sinhamamar Asukh’ at Jagrata Sangha, on 20th

December 2018 evening in presence of around 100 persons including the guardians of the students,local residence, teacher and students of RBU, guests and teachers and members of Kholo Aankhi .Our teachers presented an audio drama ‘Tota Kahini’ by Rabindra Nath Tagore at the beginning.The children went to Rabindra Bharati University on 21st December 2018 and presented the dramasthere in front of the examiners as it was a part of Master Degree examination of RBU students.

Dram

a: D

usha

nDu

smon

Sukanta Manna, is now in Final year of B.Tech Degree Course in Electrical Engineering at NIT Durgapur.He is from low economic back ground and appealed for financial support to us. With an initiative ofSmt. Subha Sen, our advisor Vasudha Charitable trust has been extending its support to Sukanta sincehis admission to fulfill the mission of our organisation. He has been doing well in his semesterexaminations held so far to the satisfaction of his sponsors as well as of us.Somnath Dutta, ranked 910th in Joint Entrance Examination Medical stream in the year 2018. His fatheris a gold designer having annual income of around Rupees 50 thousand only. After taking admissionwith help of some persons, Somnath appealed to us for financial help to pursue his dream to become adoctor. We visited his home, talked to him and his parents and decided to go ahead. Somnath is now astudent of 2nd year MBBS in Burdwan Medical College. Subsequently, as advised by us he approachedHope Kolkata Foundation and they readily agreed to sponsor his educational expenses. His other alliedexpenses like food and lodging etc. are borne by us.

We are happy to announce that in 2019 also drama department of Rabindra Bharati Universityapproached to do their study programme “Theater for development” with us. Accordingly theyconducted “Dushan Dushman”, a drama carrying a message of anti pollution, by our students and thestudents of RBU. It was staged on Lake Town Mukta Mancha in our 10th year celebration programme on22nd December 2019.

On 22nd January 2020, the students went to Rabindra Bharati University and presented the same beforethe examiners. National level observers were also present there. On our behalf our president Sri MilanMajumdar briefed them on our organization as requested.

The entire programme was co-ordinated and guided by the young teacher, artist and director Smt.Monalisa Chattopadhyay. Monalisa is the winner of Gold medal for securing highest marks in Masterdegree in Fine Arts from RBU, Bismilla Yuba Puraskar from Sangeet-Natak Academy in acting and Goldmedal at Vietnam International Theatre Festival as Best Actor.

SAHAJ PATH: PROJECT ON EDUCATION

3Rd Annual Sports Meet was held on 2nd February 2020 at Jagrata Sangha Ground. It started from 11amand continued till 4pm. There were 6 groups for different classes. Around 40 students including the ex-students participated. 1st 2nd &3rd prizes were given to the winners. All other children got theconsolation prizes. Events were there for the teachers and guardians too. More than 100 peopleenjoyed the meet including the mothers, members, guests and well wishers. Food packets weredistributed to all. The happy ending was with distribution of the prizes. It was a day of joy and fun. Weconvey our heartfelt thanks to Jagrata Sangha, CRS, Sarada Vidyapith Committee for their kindcooperation to make the 3rd annual sports meet successful.

SUPPORT TO THE INDIVIDUAL STUDENTS: CLASS IX ONWARDS

7

3Rd Annual Sports Meet

8

SUPPORT TO THE INDIVIDUAL STUDENTS: CLASS IX ONWARDS

Srabonti Dey is being supported by us in her studies since 2011 when she was in class VI at RammohanBidya Mandir for Girls’ High School. After passing H.S in 1st division in 2019 she has been admitted inEast Calcutta Girls’ college in 1st year with Zoology Honuors and has completed her 1st semester. Herone time expenses for studies like admission fees, cost of books, etc have been paid from ArunaMajumdar endowment fund which has been introduced since 2016 from the accrued interest of thefund donated by our patron Sri Shyamal Majumdar in memory of Late Aruna Majumdar, his eldest sisterwho was with us since inception. Other regular expenses for her studies like college fees, tuitionsupport for honors subject etc. are borne by us. She is also doing her spoken English class at BidhanSishu Udyan under our sponsorship.Sujoy Pal of Gobardanga, North 24parganas, and scored 87.6% marks in his H.S. examination. He isstudying Bengali Honours in Dinabandhu Mahabidyalay. He aspires to be an academician aftercompleting his PhD. His father is a helper to mason. Mother worked in a factory which is closed now. Hehimself used to work in field occasionally. He has one brother and one sister. He requested for rupees500/- per month for private tuition support which we have been paying. He secured 67% marks in his1st semester.Debapriya Das, is a student of 1st year Zoology Honours in City College, Kolkata. His father worked in alawyer’s office and mother is a home maker. We give him Rs. 1200/- per month as honors tuition fees.Shimul Chakraborty, helper of a vegetable vendor earns Rs. 60/- per day, passed HS examination with85.5% marks. He has been admitted in History honours in Uluberia College, Howrah with help of histeacher who supported him till college admission. Now he needs a tutor for History and conveyanceamounting to Rs. 1000/- per month. Shimul’s father died and mother works as domestic help on casualbasis.Lipika Mahato, of Purulia was studying English Honours when we met her. Subsequently she shifted toD. L. Ed, a 2years course of primary teachers’ training. Her father is no more. Mother works as domestichelp. She has one brother and a sister. We are giving her Rs. 500/- per month.Subham Nayek of Namkhana, South 24parganas scored more than 90% in Madhyamik. We visited hishouse made partly of brick and partly of mud with tiled roof. His father is a marginal farmer, mother is ahome maker. His school teachers supported him without any remuneration till Madhyamik but for HStuition fees was needed amounting to Rs. 2000/- per month. Subham dreams for being an engineer forwhich he needs preparatory coaching for JEE. We have paid entire fees for his JEE coaching with PathFinder at Diamondharbour. We also paid his monthly tuition fees for two months but withdrew it afterknowing that he has been receiving P,C.Chandra scholarship.Sneha Natua of Mathurapur South 24parganas scored more than 90% in her Madhyamik. Her fatherworks in a private office and mother is a home maker. She needed Rs.3000/- per month for privatetuition support which we paid for first two months but discontinued after knowing that she has beenreceiving P.C.Chandra scholarship. We have paid entire one time fees for her JEE coaching for MBBS atAkash Institute, Deshapriya Park.Paritosh Paik, secured highest marks in Madhyamik in 24Parganas(S) District. His father is a sugar cane

juice vendor and mother is a Bidi binder. They live in a rented house at Jaynagar Majilpur. We give himRs1900/- per month as his entire private tuition fees.Rakesh Naiya stays at Tollygunge. His father is a helper of mason and mother is a house wife. Weprovide him full tuition support amounting to Rs.1900/- per month.Soma Mahato lives in Purulia and scored 652 in Madhyamik. Her father is a marginal farmer andmother is a house wife. We pay her Rs.500/- per month as per her requirement.Nikhita Paramanik lives at Purulia and scored 615 in Madhyamik. Her father is a barber and mother is ahouse wife. We pay her Rs.500/- per month.

9

Somenath Biswas, lives at Patipukur area under South Dumdum Municipality and reads in class X. He losthis parents and stays with his grandparents who have a tea shop. We pay Rs. 500/- for his English tutor.We are grateful to Sri Tapas Maji who volunteered to teach Somenath Mathematics and Physical sciencewithout any remuneration considering his family back ground. He did very good result in his last annualexamination.Ajmira Khatun is studying in class X Patipukur Pallisree Vidyalaya. Her Father is a rickshaw puller andmother works as domestic help. We pay Rs.1300/- per month for giving support to English, Mathematicsand Physical scienceTulsi Mondal of class X and Rakhi Mondal of class IX, two sisters live at Patipukur area, read in PatipukurPallisree Vidyalaya. They are from same back ground like Ajmira and are getting the same benefit.We have arranged for daily Tiffin for those four students of Patipukur.We have visited the homes and/or schools of most of the beneficiaries who we can reach and to whomwe extended financial support. We monitor their studies regularly and take feedback from them, theirtutors or schools. They submit their results after the examinations. Sometimes, we call them and meet todiscuss their progress. But it depends upon the proximity of their homes.Mousumi Pal is studying Geography Honours in Barasat Government College. Elder brother is a studentof BA Final year. Her father is a Rickshaw Van puller. Mousumi has been admitted and continuing herstudies since passing H.S. with one time financial support from some individuals. Now she needsRs.1000/- per month for her private tuition. This is under our active consideration.

SUPPORT TO THE INDIVIDUAL STUDENTS: CLASS IX ONWARDS

One of the two main focus areas of Kholo Aankhi was income generation of needy women for whichproject Sucharu was introduced. In 2010 we launched it after conducting a training programme onembroidery. Subsequently many women came and joined with the work. Around 80 needy womenhave come under this project by doing hand embroidery and machine works during this period. Ourobjective to empower women through creating avenues of earning finds support from the beneficiarieswhen they say that they find joy and independence in spending their own earned money for theireducation, for their children or for their own necessities without asking from others.Sucharu is enriched with varieties of products like sari, blouse piece, ladies and gent’s kurtas, handembroidered dress materials, hankies, cushion covers and very attractive fancy ladies bags which arewidely appreciated. We participate in exhibitions held by some other organizations or we organise it onour own at some suitable venues. It is noticeable that we get better response from those exhibitionswhich we arrange on our own. We are trying to sell the products online and getting some response too.May we please request all of you to share our posts with your face book friends to reach the productsto more and more people? Many women are expressing their interests to come under the fold of theproject. But expansion and sustainability of the project depend upon reaching out to more and morepeople for their collection but exhibitions are not enough for sustenance. We have contacted WBSEPC,a State Government Organisation which conducts exhibitions at various places in West Bengal. Theyhave agreed to arrange for some exhibitions for us but that not yet been matured. We seek yourguidance and advice to find some other avenues to display our products for sell.

SUCHARU: PROJECT FOR INCOME GENERATION OF WOMEN

10

We want that the beneficiaries of Sucharu need be an integral part of Kholo Aankhi. Sometimes someof them come forward, share the works even volunteer for other projects too but in most cases theykeep themselves confined in assigned works only. The project will be more dynamic if the beneficiariestook part in marketing.

Since last AGM we took part in the following exhibitions:

SUCHARU: PROJECT FOR INCOME GENERATION OF WOMEN

Date Place Organiser

29th & 30th December 2018 Salt Lake CD Block comm Centre Women wing of CD block

23rd & 24th February 2019 Gitanjali Stadium, Kasba Ananda Samity

15th & 16th March Lake Town Mukta Mancha Kholo Aankhi

6th & 7th April 2019 Behala Kholo Aankhi

7th July Bidhan Nibas Nabamita

3rd & 4th August Jalvayu Vihar Durga Mela Committee

3rd & 4th August Lake Town Mukta Mancha Kholo Aankhi

10th &11th August Salt Lake AB Block comm Centre Women Council

23rd & 24th Augus Salt Lake CA Block comm Centre CA Block Ladies Club

7th September Bethune College Bethune College Alumni Assn

14th &15th September Mahamayatala, Garia Arranger

7th to 9th February 2020 Jodhpur Park Nari Seva Sangha

we launched this project in 2016 at Basanti Devi Colony area to educate the mothers of the childrenand school dropout girls. We arranged for a three days’ training with State Resource Centre for AdultEducation for some of our members and volunteers who worked as resource person in the projectlater. The beneficiaries were attending the classes enthusiastically after performing their householdworks. Some of them used to come to the classes with their children even. It was our hope that AlorPathe will show them the light towards life. But we had to discontinue it at the end of 2016 along withSahaj Path, Basanti Devi Colony. We have tried to introduce it at Sarada Pally area for the mothers ofthe present project. But they are reluctant to join because of their work pressure at home and outside.

This project creates provision for sourcing clothes for extreme poor section of the society byapproaching higher income group so that they donate their discarded but wearable clothes regularly tobe part of a social cause. We receive spontaneous and continuous response from the donors. We senta good number of ladies garments to Sneha, a home for destitute girls, at Narendrapur, South24Parganas run by Sanlaap a reputed NGO, around 700 pieces of garments to Antyoday, a home forthe orphans situated in Purba Medinipur for distributing among the children of the home and otherpeople of nearby villages. We visited Purulia in November and distributed around 200 garments to thewomen and children of Shabars of Maldi village, cotton and warm garments to 34 inhabitants ofLeprosy Mission, both male & female and sent 500 garments for the people of Karur village ofBandwan block which were subsequently distributed on 25th December 2019 as informed.

ALOR PATHE: PROJECT OF ADULT LITERACY

PARASPAR

11

Maldi Shabar PallySince 2016 we are going to Purulia District of West Bengalmainly with an aim to do some work for the Shabars whosemisery still persists. On 24th November 2019 a team of ninefrom Kholo Aankhi went there. We sent 15 sacks containingnew and old garments there for distribution. We are thankfulto Rajasthan Transport Company through which we send thegoods, for excempting transportation charges from us as agood gesture for our cause. We visited Shabar Para whereonly Shabars, the tribals live in the farthest corner of Maldivillage since they are still outcast in the society. They areignorant about primary health and hygiene. Addiction toalcohol is part of their life. They are not only underprivilegedbut deprived from almost all civic amenities. We gave newsweaters to all the children, blouse and petty coats to allwomen of the community there. Their smiling faces made ushappy.

Nabo Kustha NibasWhenever we go to Nabo Kustha Nibas Purulia, we feelemotional and happy as well. Every time we learn fromthem, how to live a spirited life despite having deep sorrowbeing stigmatized by their families and the society for nofault of their own. This time we gifted bed sheets to each ofthem.We also pay cable charge for two Television setswhich are their only mode of recreation. They never forgetto pray for us and for our orgnisation during our visit. Wefelt happy to see that a day care centre with three beds forthe ailed people has been made in joint collaboration of anNGO with WB Government and two sisters remain there atday time to look after the patients. Necessary medicinesare also kept there for regular and emergency use.

PURULIA : OUR ACTIVITIES AT RURAL AREAS

Students’ IdentificationSome news regarding poor but meritorious students of Purulia, who need help for their studies werepublished in news papers. We have contacted some of them and met three students of class XI & one of1st year during our visit to Purulia. After thorough discussion and verification of documents, we haveselected them and have been providing tuition support which have been reported already.

Durga Puja: On the eve of Durga Puja we gifted new dresses to allthe beneficiaries of our Sahaj Path project of Sarada Pally, someindividual beneficiaries of Sahaj Path and their family members too.

Nabo Kustha Nibas

OTHER WELFARE ACTIVITIES:

We convey our heartiest thanks to Sri Sudin Adhikary who is the man behind all works done by us atPurulia. From identification of places and beneficiaries to making arrangement of the programmesthere, he does everything in spite of his busy schedule. Whenever we go there he participates in all ouractivities and stay all along with us.

12

Bally Chorus, an organization works for the children of shanties of Dakshineswar area. In last year thoseshanties caught fire and almost all belongings of the dwellers turned into ashes. They sought some helpfrom us. We donated Rs.5000/- to them to make up the loss of the students.Subhra sarkar, a beneficiary of our sucharu project appealed for a help of Rs.5000/- which she neededfor shifting of her house. We granted it and gave her the amount.The house of Shuvam Nayek, a beneficiary of our sahaj Path project was badly affected in Bulbul – thetornado. Immediately after knowing this we send them Rs.2000/- for emergent need.

OTHER WELFARE ACTIVITIES

1st march is the Birth Day of Sri Mrigendra Mohan Guha whose life and activities inspired us to formKholo Aankhi. Every year we observe the day with some people who lead their lives facing various odds.In 2019 we went to Baruipur Sitakunda Sneha Kunja where 30 inmates both boys and girls of 12to20years stay with homely care. They are all destitute. Some of them are orphans. All of them arestudying in schools or colleges. They also learn vocal music, violin, dance, drama etc. From Kholo Aankhiwe gifted them copy books, groceries, towels, glasses many other daily use materials and a very bigKadhai (Cooking pot),to cook for 100 persons at a time. We also gifted a violin to them which will behelpful in learning instrumental music.

You may please remember Aishika Ghosh, a patient of Thallasemia major who needed immediatebone marrow transplantation from unrelated matching donor as she has no sibling. Tata Medical Centregave an estimate of Rs.33 lacs for the whole process. We appealed to you for support. In response toour appeal many individuals and some organisations extended their support in various ways. Her fatherarranged for a considerable fund required on his part including one time contribution of Rs.2 lacs fromKholo Aankhi and finally Aishika’s Bone Marrow Transplantation had been done successfully on 29th

August 2019 at Tata Medical Centre, Rajarhat, New Town, WB. In pre-hospitalisation period, KholoAankhi bore the cost of blood transfusion, medicines and chelation therapy with a machine for ironremoval amounting to about a lac of rupees in total, which played a crucial role in preparing Aishika fortransplantation. We stood by the side of the worried parents throughout the period and arranged forblood and platelets as needed after the transpalnt from our friends and acquaintances. Now, she isunder prolonged treatment with periodic check up of TMC. She is now doing well. It will take at leastone year to stabilize her condition under strict care and supervision.

OBSERVATION OF BIRTH ANNIVERSARY OF MRIGENDRA MOHAN GUHA

SPECIAL DRIVE FOR A THALASSEMIC PATIENT

13

10th YEAR CELEBRATION

Kholo Aankhi has organized a cultural programme on22nd Dec 2019 at Mukta Mancha, Laketown, Kolkata tomark the completion of 10 years of its journey. SriAmarendra Nath Das, a renowned social activist gracedthe occasion as Chief Guest. ‘Kichu Katha Kichu Chobi’,a power point presentation encapsulated our activitieswe did in travelling our enshrined path for long tenyears. We convey our thanks to Smt. Debanjana Roy formaking the audio visual presentation laudable.The participants of second phase of programme weremostly the beneficiaries of our education projectSahajpath. The students of Sahajpath, Basanti DeviColony sang under direction of Smt. Sila Pal, our ex-teacher. Lachima Khatun, a student of 1st batch ofSahajpath, Kalyani and Srabanti Dey of Kolkata, who isstill receiving our support, excelled in performingdance. Four street children of Katha O Kahini, anorganization for teaching recitation performed nicely ina group. Some girl inmates of Baruipur SitakundaSneha Kunja home performed Christmas Karol andplayed violin drawing appreciation from the audience.Balukabela Pramanik one of our beneficiaries movedthe audience by her beautiful vocal recital. Children ofSahajpath Sarada Pally along with the students of RBUstaged Dushan Dushman, a drama to make aware thepeople regarding effect of pollution on our life. It wasdirected by the Post Graduate students of dramadepartment of Rabindra Bharati University under ableguidance of Smt. Monalisa Chattopadhyay, the youngteacher, award winner dramatist and director.Successful performance of the drama was highlyapplauded from the auditorium.

More than 200 spectators including the guardians of thestudents, friends and well wisher, local people remainedpresent to show solidarity with Kholo Aankhi and enjoyedthe programme. We convey our heartfelt thanks to allpresent, Lake Town Mukta Mancha authority, SaradaVidyapith Committee without whose help we could notmake the programme successful.We convey our special thanks to Smt. Krinishnakali Mitra,our friend and well wisher for gifting story books to all theparticipants as a symbol of love and affection to them.We are happy to announce that Smt. Vasudha Kapoor hasdonated Rs.150000/- to Kholo Aankhi for instituting anannual scholarship for a budding musician coming fromunderprivileged students from accrued interest of theamount.

Lake Town Mukta-Mancha

14

FUTURE PLAN

We propose to undertake the followings in near future --1. Reopening of library for the children in the next month2. Introduction of Spoken English classes3. Psychological counseling of the children4. Introduction of audio-visual programmes for the children mainly to impart moral lessons through

stories and through other forms and also to screen short films for enjoyment and enrichment oftheir life

5. Effectively use of audio-visual medium to create awareness among mothers of the children onvarious social issues

6. Organizing periodical health and eye check up camps for the children and their families and ifpossible, for the community

7. Initiating campaigns for development of the community from where the children come, for servingand protecting common interest of all specially the children and for which we may seek supportfrom RBU

8. Undertaking professional approach to bring the products of Sucharu before a wider section ofpeople through social media / online / in collaboration with some other NGOs or boutiques.

We, within our limited capacity but with a deep belief working together with all of you, who come forward to support KHOLO AANKHI in various ways and encourage us to move forward. We are committed to tread our path with honesty, sincerity, empathy and transparency. We are confident that you will always remain with us throughout the journey of Kholo Aankhi. Thank you all,

With greetings, Jhunu GhoseSecretary

Contact:+919836279512/ +919836819315kholoaankhi@gmail.comwww.kholoaankhi.orghttps://www.facebook.com/kholoaankhi.org