O Alor Pathajatri: A Cultural Journey of Hope and Healing – GetBengal story
On 23rd February 2025, the Satyajit Ray Auditorium at the Indian Council For Cultural Relations (ICCR), Kolkata, will play host to a special cultural program, “O Alor Pathajatri”, a powerful celebration of hope, light, and resilience. Choreographed by Susmita Bhattacharya and Kalakhetram, this performance will take the audience on a transformative journey, symbolizing the struggle towards brighter tomorrows, as experienced by individuals battling psychosocial disabilities.
This event is not just a celebration of the arts, but also a vital fundraiser and awareness initiative in support of Iswar Sankalpa, celebrating their 17 glorious years through this program. Iswar Sankalpa, a non-profit committed to advancing mental health care for vulnerable populations in Kolkata, has been a cornerstone in the community's effort to address the needs of people with psychosocial disabilities. Through its various programs, the organization has provided shelter, healthcare, empowerment, and reintegration services to thousands, ensuring their dignity is upheld.
Operating with a multi-sectoral approach, it has touched the lives of nearly 11,000 individuals over the past 17 years. Through its outreach, recovery, rehabilitation, and reintegration programs, Iswar Sankalpa has been instrumental in empowering people to rediscover their lives without the fear of neglect or violence.
Among the organization's notable achievements is the Naya Daur program, which has garnered global recognition for its rights-based approach to mental health. This community-based initiative provides outreach services to homeless individuals with mental health issues, using a multidisciplinary team. The program has gained recognition from the World Health Organization, making it a model for other mental health initiatives worldwide. Alongside, the Urban Mental Health Programme (UMHP) has brought mental health services to 274,085 individuals in Kolkata’s urban slums, preventing homelessness due to mental illness.
The organization also focuses on empowerment through its Crust & Core café, a livelihood project that trains individuals in bakery and hospitality, offering them sustainable employment opportunities. Furthermore, the Nayagram Assisted Community Living Program provides homeless women with psychosocial disabilities a safe space for rehabilitation and self-sustainability through farming and vocational training. With Sarbari and Marudyan, shelter homes for homeless women and men with psychosocial disabilities, the organization creates safe spaces for recovery. Over 550 individuals have accessed these shelters, and more than 3500 homeless persons have been supported in their journey back to society.
The organization’s work has been recognized with several prestigious awards, including the “Hospitality for a Cause” award at International Hospitality Day (2024) and the State Award for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities in 2022. These accolades underline the positive impact of Iswar Sankalpa’s services, reinforcing its role as a pioneer in the mental health sector.
The cultural evening will serve as a platform to honour Salil Chowdhury, the legendary composer, in his centenary year, with music that encapsulates the vibrancy and optimism he was known for. The event will begin with a short film screening at 8:00 pm, setting the tone for the evening’s cultural immersion. The formal inauguration will take place at 6:30 pm, followed by a brief tea break at 7:00 pm, and the commencement of the cultural program at 7:15 pm. The evening will conclude with a closing ceremony at 7:45 pm, reflecting on the journey toward transformation.
By showcasing “O Alor Pathajatri”, Iswar Sankalpa aims to highlight the intersection between mental health, culture, and social reintegration. The performance will bring together the arts community and the mental health sector to emphasize the importance of breaking stigmas around mental health while promoting the idea that healing can also be found through creative expression.
