By IANS
Kolkata : In keeping with its commitment to providing subsidised healthcare, the Ramakrishna Mission Seva Pratishthan celebrated its platinum jubilee year Tuesday by dedicating to the people a seven-storey extension of its hospital in south Kolkata.
Constructed with donations worth Rs.51 million, mainly from the family of Abha Sinha, the new building of the Pratishthan houses among others a super-speciality paediatric ward, a general emergency ward and a school of nursing and college besides an auditorium.
Equipped with latest facilities, the new building has 130 beds. In keeping with the philosophy of 'service to man is service to god' the new hospital building promises to cater to the needs of the lower middle class and offer them service at a subsidised rate.
Speaking on the occasion, West Bengal Governor Gopal Krishna Gandhi said that the setting up of the new building "reflects the collaboration of science and spirituality".
The building has been named after late Adhish Chandra Sinha, a cousin of eminent scientist Bikash Sinha, who suffered from serious ailments and was eager to do something to alleviate the sufferings of the poor. His unfulfilled dream reached its logical conclusion with the setting up of this building, thanks to the efforts of his wife and his mother Abha.
"Adhish suffered a great deal from different ailments during his lifetime. It is appropriate that a building is being devoted to all those suffering," said Bikash Sinha, director, Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, who was present on the occasion.
"People who live for others live a much happier and tension free life than those who live for themselves, and Ramakrishna Mission has fully embraced this philosophy of life," said state Health Minister Surya Kanta Mishra.
The inaugural function was graced among others by Swami Gahananandaji Maharaj, president, Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission, Director General of Health Services R.K. Srivastava, and Justice Chittatosh Mukherjee.
A film tracing the history and growth of the Ramakrishna Mission Seva Pratishthan was also screened on the occasion.