Genesis
RAMAKRISHNA MISSION ASHRAMA, SARISHA, is located on the Diamond Harbour Road, NH-117, which is about 25 KM south of extended Kolkata. Some religious minded people inspired by Swami Vivekananda’s ideal started the movement in 1917. Under the leadership of Sri Nalini Ranjan Mazumdar, they started services to the poor and needy persons of the locality from a place located at Sarisha. But it was stopped in 1920 after the passing away of Sri Nalini Ranjan Majumdar. Again it came into effect when Brahmachari Satchaitanya, who, later on known as Ganeshanandaji, hold the steering. Ganeshanandaji was actually the son of the soil and felt the urge to uplift the rural backward Bengal in the light of Swami Brahmanandaji, the first President of Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission blessed him to start a branch centre of Ramakrishna Mission at Sarisha. On 25th December 1921, Ramakrishna Mission Belur Math recognized Sarisha Ashrama as a branch centre.
From an abandoned smithy shop of Bhutnath Karmakar located in the eastern side of Sarisha High School, the welfare work was started at the time of First World War. Weaving training and Homoeopathic Dispensary were in the purview of initial activities. For extending training to the local youth, both male and female, on different items like weaving of bed sheet, towel, napkin, etc. Swami Ishananandaji, Holy Mother’s Sevak and a Brahmachari came from Belur Math. Slowly Swami Vedantananda, Swami Swatantrananda, Swami Nirmohanananda, Swami Aditysnanda and others joined Sarisha Ashrama as Brahmachari.
The Ashrama was shifted to its present premises on July 1924 permanently by purchasing a land of nearly two bighas from Sri Sashibhusan Basu of Kalagachhia and constructed a mud house of 12 feet width and 60 feet long accommodating Shrine, monk’s quarters, training hall, etc. Then focusing on downtrodden unreached women, the Ashrama started its different educational activities for the rural backward masses.
It is commendable to note that Sarish Ashrama under the leadership of Swami Ganeshanandaji had broken all the evil local prejudices and started a school for girls and arranged their education on science based modern methodology including physical exercise and openair activities which the then society could not think. Swami Nirmohananda deserving monastic brother of Swami Ganeshananda sow the seeds of multi-dimensional development activities which was worth monitoring. Thus, with the passing of time, Sarisha Ashrama became a multi institutional organization with thousands of students both boys and girls from all cross sections of society.