The Bengali Association Activities
The Bengalee Association was founded and registered under The Societies Act on 16th September 1959. The Association organises and participates in various activities throughout the year in keeping with the objectives set out in our constitution
Apart from all major celebrations for the Bengalis throughout the year, our Association is closely engaged in many philanthropic activities. Our Durga Puja celebration, for example, is one of the largests in the country attracting close to a lakh of visitors in the four days of festivities. Our Puja is not just a religious event, it is a socio-cultural activity for lakhs of people from the eastern part of the country. Locals too visit us in large numbers during the puja days. We serve free Bhog Prasad to nearly 10,000 people in four days.
PAINITNG CLASS
The Association is very sensitive to inculcate value-based system in the younger generation and also encourages learning the local language even by grown-ups. In between we organised Kannada language classes and classical dance classes. We shall announce when they commence again. Painting and drawing class is regularly organised by a qualified artist. The Timings for the painting class: Sunday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. For details contact our office manager Mr Mukherji: 9480640014
PHILANTHROPIC ACTIVITIES
The Association strongly believes that there are many in the society who need a helping hand. Our resources are limited but we do our best to help. A portion of the Association’s fund is always kept aside every year in Benevolent Fund to extend financial help to the needy patients who come down to Bangalore/Chennai/Vellore for medical treatment from West Bengal, Bihar, Assam, etc.
A devastating earthquake on 25 th April 2015, has turned many parts of Nepal into ruins. More than 8500 people have perished and several thousands were badly injured. Affected people in Nepal is in great need of financial help.
To extend our helping hands, The Bengalee Association, Bangalore along with the Ladies Wing of the Association donated Rs 46,000 to Bharat Sevashram Sangh on 10 May, 2015. Bharat Sevashram Sangh started extensive relief and rehabilitation work in Nepal from the day the deadly earthquake struck the country. We pray for the well being of all affected people.
In 2014 Tagore Cultural Centre and Ladies Wing of The Bengalee Association, Bangalore staged 'Valmiki Pratibha’ a dance drama by the prisoners of West Bengal’s Presidency and Alipore jails. The event was a huge success. From the proceeds we have donated Rs 1 lakh to West Bengal Prisoners’ Welfare Fund, Rs 50,000 to Karnataka Police Welfare Fund and another Rs 50,000 for the welfare of prisoners in Bangalore.
In the month of March 2015 we donated artificial limbs to ten persons in Jain Hospital, Bangalore and also sponsored an Eye Surgery Camp along with Lion Super Speciality Eye Hospital. In the financial year 2014-15 we have donated Rs 80,000 for various philanthropic activities.
We regularly donate money to Bharat Sevashram Sangha for their philanthropic activities. In the financial year 2012-13 we donated a total sum of Rs 1.75 lakh (including Rs 40,000 to Bharat Sevashram Sangha). In the financial year 2013-14 we have again donated Rs 50,000 to Bharat Sevashram Sangha for the relief work being undertaken in the rain-devastated Uttarakhand. Medical assistance to accident victims are also a matter of concern to us. We welcome our members to donate money in our benevolent fund for the purpose of charity. If you wish to donate please contact our office or General Secretary Mr Robin P Majumdar, M: +91-88920-31105 or mail him to Email: info.gensec@gmail.com. Every year we also organise blood donation camps at Association with renowned blood banks.
The Bengalee Association recently reached out to the patients of Karunashraya, an organisation providing palliative Care to advanced stage cancer patients. The members of the Association organised a cultural programme for the patients at their premises on 4th of August 2013 and also donated money, food, medical supplements etc. to them.
MOUTHPIECE OF THE COMMUNITY
To highlight the problems of the community and submit them to the right Authorities is one of our prime objectives e.g., implementation of Direct Train between Kolkata & Bangalore was initiated by the Association and became operative after the persuasion and prolonged meeting with the then Railway Minister Ms.Mamata Banerjee and Member-Railway Board Sri Madhukar Reddy by the General Secretary of the Association Sri. A.L.Roy.
LIASION WITH LOCAL ADMINISTRATION
The Bengalee Association, being a prime organization of Bengalis, coordinates, converses and seeks or provides assistance for incidents related to any Bengali across the city. Police personnel deputed for specific purposes or special bandobast prefer to stay in our community hall and enjoy our hospitality.
CULTURAL ACTIVITIES
Cultural activities are the lifeline of the Association. There is hardly any activity in the cultural domain where the Association does not take active interest – be it religious, social, sports, drama festivals, musical soirees,observance of the birthdays of path breaking personalities and national and internationally important events. In 2014 we staged Tagore's famous dance drama 'Valmiki Pratibha' in Chowdiah Memorial Hall. Directed by Smt Alokananda Roy, the jail inmates from Kolkata's Presidency and Alpore jail performed in the play. We hosted a team of 80 people -- 50 prisoners and 30 prison guards for two days in our Association hall. From the funds raised we also donated Rs 2 lakh for prisoners' welfare in Kolkata and in Bangalore.
TAGORE CULTURAL CENTRE
Tagore Cultural Centre, being an ideological representation of the Association emblems our identity. Our own groups of singers, dancers and stage artists propagate our rich cultural heritage. Many talents get an opportunity to perform; many young artists begins their cultural journey with us. Cultural exchanges between various communities are a definite act of happenings of the Tagore Cultural centre.
TAGORE CALENDAR
Every year the Association brings out a Bengali Calendar (along with English dates) at the time of Rabindra Jayanti. As the calendar carries rare pictures of Rabindra Nath Tagore and his paintings, it has become very popular with the Bengalees in Bangalore. Those who are interested in buying the latest calendar can contact our office. Below is the picture of the the latest calendar.
SOCIAL ACTIVITIES
A commitment to the society as a whole is always one of top priorities of the Association. Towards this commitment, the Association organises blood donation camp every year. In the 2015 blood donation drive 60 people donated blood. We also visit cancer hospitals to soothe the sufferings of the patients to all extents possible. The Association, as a rule, every year extends invitation to groups of underprivileged children to the Annual Sports and Durga Puja festivals to participate and arranges special awards for them. The members of the Ladies Wing of The Bengalee Association assemble every month on a specific day for deliberation, discussion and spending some good time with performances by talented lady members. Social work for indigent and specially-able children, education helps for economically depressed students and extending a helping hand to old age habitants are some of the activities of the Ladies Wing. Painting competition, Fete and Family nights organized by the wing add colour to our Annual events.
INFORMATION CENTRE
The Association represents the aspirations of the Prabasi Bengalis and is always ready to share any useful information which caters to their needs. Very frequent phone calls from almost every locality in the city as well as from outsides encourage us to improve our information sharing system. Our website is very informative.
TALENT SEARCH
The Association takes pride in the achievements of the people around, both young and established. We never lag behind to spot such outstanding talents and honour them to laud their achievements with all humility. Any information of such achievements, be it in the field of science, literature, sports or any other social/cultural activities is welcome.
LITERARY ACTIVITIES
Original writings, discussion and workshop on literature are quite dear to our members and connoisseurs. We encourage interested persons to come forward and make ‘Sahitya Sabha’ a regular happening. Our members are also welcome to write for the Durga Puja souvenir “Maitree”.
RECREATION ACTIVITY
At the Association premises we have a table tennis and carom room where our members regularly practice in the evening..
