The Fire near Udbodhan Building, Some Clarifications

As we have seen a major fire broke out at a slum, “Haazar Bustee” on Kshirode Vidya vinode Avenue beside Bagbazar Women’s College near Chitpore Lock Gate Bridge in north Kolkata’s Bagbazar area on 13^th January 2021, triggering panic and chaos in the entire belt. The fire also damaged a portion of the Udbodhan Bhawan of Ramakrishna Math, close to Mayer Bari. 

The fire fighters with the support of locals and monks of Ramakrishna Math managed to bring the blaze, which broke out around 6.55pm, under control after several hours saving lives as not a single casualty is reported, everyone are safely evacuated. Though people of the slum were left homeless, as the slum was reduced to ashes. Ramakrishna Math itself has lost 7,00,0000 worth property including publication materials and machines.

Priliminary investigation and findings of the investigating officials and I quote PTI reported officials as having said that the initial fire – likely caused by a short circuit – was exacerbated by gas cylinder blasts in successive houses which caused the fire to spread. 

But a section of media and few prominent television news channels have claimed the fire has emerged from the Udbodhan building and is a part of a broader conspiracy by Ramakrishna Math and the monks associated with the centres Udbodhan and Mayer Bari.

There is no trace or proof of any kind of short circuit or fire from electric connection of the building, we are sharing the images and videos of the electric connection area of the Udbodhan building for further clarity. Moreover the building does not have any kind fire related activities, infact any kind of cooking including tea, food and hot waters are also brought from Mayer Bari which is situated at a distance of several feets.

Apart from all this every individual is aware of Ramakrishna Math and its activities, the organisation is founded by Swami Vivekananda himself. The house was named the Udbodhan House, after the Bengali monthly magazine published by the Ramakrishna Math. The magazine was started by Swami Vivekananda himself.

Furthermore Mayer Bari is known for its divine ambience, visited by hundreds of devotees every day, as this place has been sanctified by the stay of Holy Mother Maa Sarada Devi, the divine consort of Sri Ramakrishnadeva. 

Ramakrishna Mission is an international organisation known for its work and philanthrophy for more than a century since its foundation in the year 1898. A strong protest has been registered by the devotees and members of Ramakrishna Math and Mission against those elements who are spreading rumours and fake news about the fire, which are misleading. On the basis of this rumors and news a group of people even attacked the monks and centre, but with the help of State government, security has been deployed for now. This is something ridiculous.

Media on its part is doing their job, but a section of it who are spreading misleading information, must verify the information before being disseminated, as already clarified by Swami Suviranananda, General Secretary, Ramakrishna Math and Mission during a Press Conference. 

For the knowledge of everyone, Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission are worldwide, non-political, non-sectarian spiritual organizations which have been engaged in various forms of humanitarian, social service activities for more than a century. Inspired by the ideals of renunciation and service, the monks and lay devotees of the Math and Mission serve millions of men, women and children, without any distinction of caste, religion or race, because they see the living God in them.

The organizations were brought into existence by Sri Ramakrishna (1836-1886), the great 19th century saint from Bengal who is regarded as the Prophet of the Modern Age, and Sri Ramakrishna’s chief disciple, Swami Vivekananda (1863-1902), one of the foremost thinkers and religious leaders of the age.