Buildings and facilities - Cathedral Relief Service

New display area for Nari Dana products

Karen Laister Buildings and facilities, Nari Dana 14th September 201914th September 2019

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.

Mahamaya construction almost complete

Karen Laister Buildings and facilities 17th July 201917th July 2019

Director, Rig David, and other colleagues from CRS headquarters visited Mahamaya in mid-July to inspect progress with construction.

Once completed the three-storey centre will be a tremendous resource for the community. The plentiful space will be used for education, women’s empowerment and health projects.

Renovation complete at Sukantanagar

Karen Laister Buildings and facilities, Fundraising 18th June 201918th June 2019

Thanks to £2,000 raised by St Werburgh’s School in Derby, the building at Sukantanagar has now been repaired and re-roofed. The children and women who meet at Sukantanagar now have a smart room which is water-tight and has a ceiling fan.

Building work proceeding well at Mahamaya

Elizabeth Stanley-Wainwright Buildings and facilities, UK Friends 20th March 20199th June 2019

Good progress is being made at Mahamaya thanks to funds raised by Scargill Church of England Primary School in Derbyshire.

The project is to build two more floors on to an existing single storey building to provide a medical centre and women’s centre for around 15 villages.

Inaugration of Nari Dana Production Centre

Karen Laister Buildings and facilities, Nari Dana 4th November 201713th April 2019

The Nari Dana Production Centre was officially opened on 20 October 2017. The Nari Dana project, CRS’s social enterprise, which employs slum women trained in sewing and embroidery to make products for sale in India and overseas, has been gathering momentum over the last few years.

There is now a dedicated space for the women to make their products, equipped with a set of new sewing machines thanks to financial support from the German Consulate of Kolkata.

The inauguration started with an opening prayer by Rev Nigel Pope, Presbyter of St Paul’s Cathedral and the Vice Chairman of CRS. Mr. Jürgen Thomas Schrod, the Deputy Consul General from the German Consulate then assisted Rev Pope in cutting the ribbon to open the centre.

This was followed by a traditional lamp lighting ceremony by the guests and members of CRS Executive Committee, signifying the ray of hope that Nari Dana brings to the lives of the women.

After Rev James Gomes, Assistant Presbyter of St Paul’s Cathedral, had blessed the new workspace, the women were delighted to show the guests a range of their products.