Naresh and Rashmi Ghelani, who run a newsagents in Cambridge, have been loyal supporters of CRS for many years.
As well as the collection box on the counter in the shop, Rashmi makes everyone empty out loose change from their pockets and purses whenever she goes to a family gathering!
In the past ten months these collections have amounted to £360, mainly in small silver and copper coins, all of which makes an appreciable difference for CRS.
In October, a group of sixth-formers from Derby High School visited Kolkata. They spent time at various CRS Education Centres teaching English and doing fun activities with the children.
Watch a video that they made about their trip and read about their impressions of Kolkata and CRS in an article published in the Derby Telegraph.
Kolkata’s new bishop, The Right Reverend Paritosh Canning, who started his tenure in the summer, has already seen the work of CRS first hand in the city, but at the end of September he made a day trip to see some of the work in rural areas.
Exterior construction work on the expanded building at Mahamaya is complete, although the interiors still await finishing. Nevertheless it is already well used for activities for children and women.
Children filled an entire floor to welcome the guests, who were entertained with song and dance, and a meal. The Bishop was offered flowers and blessed the work being done by CRS in this village.
On 08 September 2019, CRS was greatly honoured by a visit from the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Reverend Justin Welby, who was in Kolkata during a tour of India.
After giving a message during the Sunday service at St Paul’s Cathedral, the Archbishop and his wife, Caroline, toured the cathedral grounds where the educational and social service activities of the diocese were on show.
It was a great privilege for the CRS Director, Rig David, to be personally introduced to the Archbishop and his wife.
It was a wonderful opportunity to explain the work of CRS and Nari Dana. He presented them with stoles embroidered by women from Nari Dana.
The Archbishop also blessed the new Nari Dana sales outlet, recently created in Bishop’s House.
At 51 Chowringhee Road, just across from St Paul’s Cathedral, stands a spectacular colonial building. This is Bishop’s House, the official residence of the Bishop of Kolkata.
The Right Reverend Paritosh Canning, who was installed as the new Bishop in June 2019, was introduced to the work of CRS at the start of his tenure.
He was very impressed by the Nari Dana project and has generously made space in Bishop’s House for a sales outlet for Nari Dana.
A small area has been fitted out with shelves where products can be displayed. With many national and international visitors and dignitaries passing through Bishop’s House this is a great way to showcase the skills of the women of Nari Dana.