Old Age Home
| On a beautiful and meaningful day, we, the LDFK team, embarked on a heartfelt mission to bring joy and warmth to those who need it the most. The day began early as we gathered at Ramthakur Briddhabas in Anandapur, near Urbana, at 10:00 a.m. The team included Mukut Da, Soma Di, Sukhendu Da, Somali Di, Angsuman Da with his wife, Raj Da, Jhumi Di, Abhijit Da, Payel Di, Arun Da, Sapna Di, Subhanshu Da, and others. We were ready to bring some cheer to the elderly residents of the home, many of whom had been living away from their families for years. Our first task was to distribute new clothes to the 35 residents of the Briddhabas. The residents’ eyes lit up with joy as they received the gifts, and we spent time with them, listening to their stories and offering a comforting presence. Their gratitude was deeply moving, and the simple act of connecting with them brought all of us closer together as a team. After the distribution, we served lunch to the residents ourselves, which was a truly fulfilling experience. The smiles and kind words from the elderly left us with a sense of deep satisfaction. Once the first part of our mission was completed, we moved on to the next phase of our day. We had arranged for the residents of Kolaghat Briddhabas to join us for a special event in Kolkata. A bus was waiting to bring them to Bhola Nath Dham, the historic home of our esteemed member Sri Ajoy Dutta, where Durga Puja has been celebrated for over 120 years. When we arrived at Bhola Nath Dham, we were warmly welcomed by Ajoy Da and his wife, who made us and the elderly residents feel truly at home. The grandeur of the heritage house and the long-standing tradition of Durga Puja left everyone in awe. We spent some time soaking in the cultural and spiritual atmosphere of the place before enjoying sweets offered by our gracious hosts. Next, we made our way to Gobinda Dham, where a sumptuous lunch had been arranged for everyone. The feast included luchi, cholar dal, rice, vegetable curries, fish curry, mutton curry, chutney, papad, and a variety of sweets. Both the residents of Kolaghat Briddhabas and Ramthakur Briddhabas enjoyed the meal immensely, and the laughter and joy during lunch were evident. It was a truly communal experience, and we were grateful to be able to share this time with such wonderful people. After lunch, we ensured that the Kolaghat residents boarded their bus safely and sent them off with warm wishes. The day ended with emotional farewells, knowing that we had brought a little happiness into their lives. Throughout the day, we witnessed the power of community and the importance of compassion. As a group, we at LDFK feel privileged to have had the opportunity to be part of such a meaningful experience. It was a day of connection, of cultural exchange, and of giving that will stay with us forever. Our journey started at 1:00 p.m., as I, along with the others, arrived at the Satragachi HP Petrol Pump. Sukhendu Da was expected shortly, and when he arrived, he brought with him some sweets—a gesture so typical of his generous nature. He told us, “You can’t meet people without offering sweets!” That’s the spirit of our team: to share not just material things, but kindness and love. I couldn’t resist being a part of today’s mission, especially when such an opportunity to do good presented itself. Despite the short festival break, I managed to make my way 66 kilometers to Kolaghat, where we visited the Amar Seva Sangha home. This large establishment houses around sixty elderly residents, many of whom have no families to care for them. The joy on their faces as we arrived with sweets and gifts of clothing was immeasurable. We spent some time with them, sharing conversation, encouragement, and a sense of companionship. When my turn came to speak, I found myself struggling to express my feelings. All I could offer were words of hope, reminding them that while life may not always be easy, it is a precious gift, and as long as it lasts, it should be lived to its fullest. Today’s experience with LDFK was small but powerful. Even in a world where good people and good deeds are scarce, there are still those who step up and make a difference. After the program, one of the residents said, “You don’t need to give us anything. Just come and spend time with us.” That simple request reminded me that sometimes, the most valuable thing we can offer is our presence and our time. One of the elderly women, who had some memory loss, sang a beautiful song at Sukhendu Da’s request. Her voice was enchanting, and we learned that she had once been a professional singer. Watching her sing, despite her present condition, moved Somali Boudu to tears. It was heartbreaking to see such a gifted artist in this state. Sadly, not all of the residents could join us that day due to illness. Some of them were bedridden, unable to participate in the day’s activities. However, we were pleased to see two more kind individuals from the community bring food and sweets for the residents, showing that kindness still exists in the world. Looking ahead, we are planning to bring the more able residents to Kolkata for Durga Puja celebrations, where they will have the chance to visit the deity and enjoy a hearty meal. We’ll also be donating clothes to another elderly home in Kolkata. These initiatives are part of LDFK’s ongoing commitment to helping those in need, but I saw firsthand how much effort goes into organizing such events. Getting people to support this kind of work can be difficult, but the impact it has is immeasurable. As we were heading back from the elderly home, I learned of a tragic story. One elderly person, after falling ill, had been abandoned by his family. Even in death, his children could not perform the final rites, and the elderly home had to arrange his funeral. It was a heart-wrenching reminder of how crucial it is for us to stand by those who have no one. Sukhendu Da summed up the day with these words: “You don’t have to do this with us, but if anyone feels moved, they can create small groups and help these elderly people, orphaned children, or those struggling to feed themselves. The important thing is to stand by their side, whether as a group or individually, in whatever way we can. Being there for them is what matters most.” Indeed, that is the essence of our mission. If LDFK’s efforts inspire others to act, then that will be our greatest success. We encourage everyone to step forward, even in their own way. It’s still a victory for LDFK and humanity at large—humanity’s victory over indifference, and LDFK’s victory in its commitment to make the world a better place. |
