Recent Activities

RELIEF WORK DURING THE SECOND WAVE OF COVID 19   |   Posted on 30 June 2021    by Admin

During the second wave of Covid-19 pandemic, Vishwa Jyoti Communications (VJC) with the help of other social organizations of Varanasi, has been bringing medical and other relief to the people of Varanasi. Masks and medicines are being provided in three temporary health centres in Nagepur, Harsos and Aswari of Araji line block, which are very well managed by Lok Samiti under the able direction of Nandlal Master and the coordination of Vishwa Jyoti Communications. Similarly, VJC coordinates the work of Lok Chetna Samiti of Chiraigaon which manages three temporary health centres which are in Pachrav in Chiraigaon block, Tala in Cholapur block and Chitauni Kot in Kashi Vidyapeeth block. These centres have been functioning from mid May 2021. From 3 June to 3 July 2021, the artistes of Prerna Kala Manch and the staff of VJC along with the Sisters of Our Lady of Providence, Shivpur are taking care of mobile medical camps being organized in 52 villages of Harahuwa and Sewapuri blocks and in some slums of Varanasi city. Large numbers of people are visiting these Camps which are mostly held in village temples, Primary Schools or under large Peepal or Banyan trees. Health check-ups are done by Dr. Manoj Upadhyay and Dr. Anil Singh in the mobile health camps. Up to now more than 4000 patients have benefitted from the medical camps in various centres and camps. Medicines are being given to the patients free of cost. So far some 320 people have been identified as Covid patients. They were given Covid medical kits and were advised home isolation.

People are also being encouraged to get vaccinated. Meanwhile Lok Samiti organized a two day RTCR tests and three day vaccination drive. VJC will organize another vaccination program in the first week of July. Sanitary pads are also being given to adolescent girls.

Many people have lost jobs during this pandemic. Therefore they are not able to arrange their daily food properly. Such people are being given a dry ration of cereals (pulses, rice, flour, oil, salt). Groceries and nutritious materials like Chyawanprash, soyabean etc. are also being provided to the poor people in rural and urban areas, so as to boost their immunity. Caritas India is primarily supporting the organization for this program.

Inter Religious Group in Varanasi organises Blood Donation Camp for Covid-19 Victims   |   Posted on Varanasi 19 April 2021    by Admin

Amidst the gloom of death toll rising high in Varanasi due to Covid-19, Christians, Hindus and Muslims came together for organising a series of blood donation camps. Vishwa Jyoti Jansanchar Samiti and the e Varanasi unit of the Conference of Religious of India (CRI), an organisation of men and women of Catholic religious orders led by Father Anand Mathew IMS and Dr. Louis Prakash SJ, in collaboration with Manav Rakt (Human Blood) Foundation led by Abu Hashim, and Popular Blood Bank led by Dr. Somesh, held its first camp in St. Marys Convent in Varanasi Cantt on 19th April 2021.

Bishop Eugene Joseph of Varanasi diocese inaugurated the camp. Inaugurating the camp, Bishop Eugene said that to save the lives of others is the most important and sacred responsibility of every citizen. Fr Anand said that as Christians and as religious it is our duty to follow the model of Jesus Christ, who from the cross shed his blood and saved the humankind. With the same love and compassion, we need to save the victims of Covid pandemic. Fr Louis Prakash SJ said that similar blood donation camps will be organised this week in St Marys Hospital and Vishwa Jyoti Gurukul, Christ Nagar on 22nd and 23rd April respectively. Bishop Eugene felicitated the blood donors of the first camp, namely Fathers Thomas Mathew, Dolphy Lobo and Arogya Das by giving them certificates and medals. Sister Shruti, the Provincial Superior of the Missionary Sisters of the queen of the Apostles along with Sisters Alphonsa Gratian and Rosy made all logistic arrangements for the first blood donation camp.

Inter Religious Group in Varanasi organises Blood Donation Camp for Covid-19 Victims   |   Posted on 19 Apr 2021    by Admin

Amidst the gloom of death toll rising high in Varanasi due to Covid-19, Christians, Hindus and Muslims came together for organising a series of blood donation camps. Vishwa Jyoti Jansanchar Samiti and the Varanasi unit of the Conference of Religious of India (CRI), an organisation of men and women of Catholic religious orders led by Father Anand Mathew IMS and Dr Louis Prakash SJ.

In collaboration with Manav Rakt (Human Blood) Foundation led by Abu Hashim, and Popular Blood Bank led by Dr. Somesh, held its first camp in St. Marys Convent in Varanasi Cantt on 19th April 2021. Bishop Eugene Joseph of Varanasi diocese inaugurated the camp. Inaugurating the camp, Bishop Eugene said that to save the lives of others is the most important and sacred responsibility of every citizen. Fr Anand said that as Christians and as religious it is our duty to follow the model of Jesus Christ, who from the cross shed his blood and saved the humankind. With the same love and compassion, we need to save the victims of Covid pandemic.

Fr Louis Prakash SJ said that similar blood donation camps will be organised this week in St Marys Hospital and Vishwa Jyoti Gurukul, Christ Nagar on 22nd and 23rd April respectively. Bishop Eugene felicitated the blood donors of the first camp, namely Fathers Thomas Mathew, Dolphy Lobo and Arogya Das by giving them certificates and medals. Sister Shruti, the Provincial Superior of the Missionary Sisters of the queen of the Apostles along with Sisters Alphonsa Gratian and Rosy made all logistic arrangements for the first blood donation camp.

Propagating Communal Harmony through Street plays   |   Posted on 18 Feb 2020    by Admin

In partnership with of Caritas India and Meerut Seva Samamj Vishwa Jyoti Communications undertook a 10 days campaign on Communal harmony through street plays “Bhookh Banam Dharm” (hunger vs religion) and “Purvagrah”(Prejudice) in the villages of Muzaffarnagar, Shamili, Saharanpur and in the schools of Meerut districts.

These districts are prone to communal violence. It was a challenging act reach out to those people. People were quite receptive of the message that was promoted through the plays and followed by interaction and discussion. The campaign was a huge success in promoting harmony, peace and brotherhood among the communities which have been in conflict.

Celebrating Gandhi 150   |   Posted on Oct. 2019    by Admin

The nation began celebrating the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi on 2 Oct. 2018. But VJC in collaboration with Sajha Saskriti Manch has begun the celebration in January 2018 and will continue until 2 Oct. 2019. ‘Dard-E-Dil’ a play based on an imaginary dialogue between Gandhi and Jinnah, (the founder of Pakistan) was performed on the ghats of river Ganga (28 Jan), in Gandhi Adhyan Peeth (20 March), at Vasanta College for Women (Apr 17) and Shahid Udyan, Sigra (2 Oct). On 20 March, Gandhi Sadbhavana Rally which began from Champaran was welcomed at Gandhi Adhyan Peeth with the collaboration of Sajha Sanskriti Manch.

The second and major initiative was on Oct.8 on the occasion of the silver jubilee of Lok Chetna Samiti. A one and half hour play titled ‘Hinsa Banam Ahinsa.com’ (Violence Versus Non-violence) written by Asghar Wajahat was performed in a house full auditorium. The play has Gandhi and Godse as the main characters. The play reveals the vision of Gandhi for India. The audience highly appreciated the play for its powerful message of victory of non-violence over violence.

Jubilee Celebrations   |   Posted on April 2018    by Admin

On the bank of holy river Ganga, people of Varanasi witnessed a two-day grand silver jubilee celebration of Prerna Kala Manch. A seminar on ‘Theatre and Livelihood’ was held in Paradkar Auditorium in the morning hours of 6th April 2018 and in the evening was a solemn celebration at Rajendra Prasad Ghat. Religious leaders, cultural and social activists, common people of Varanasi and pilgrims watched the play Godan beautifully performed by the PKM artistes. Sajha Sanskriti Sammaan was given to an eminent media person, a film maker, an environmentalist, a cultural activist and a social activist of Varanasi. A souvenir with details of the 27 years history of VJC, 25 years of PKM and articles related to theatre and media was released by Bishop Eugene Joseph, the chairman along with Swami (Dr.) Varishthanand Maharaj, the chief guest. On 7th Apr. on the same stage, Vipul Rikhi, eminent singer of Kabir’s saakhis enthralled the audience with beautiful rendering of Kabir’s songs which was a message of a genuine spirituality of love, peace and harmony with God, with nature and with each other.

On the same evening, all the artistes of PKM, past and present were honoured by Thomas John Iswaranand, the president of Vishwa Jyoti and Fr. Stanley Kozhichira the national president of Signis India. The celebrations concluded with an Inter religious prayer meeting on 8th April in VJC hall led by Swami (Dr.) Varishthanand of Rama Krishna Mission Hospital.

ENVIRONMENT, CORRUPTION & EDUCATION OF GIRLS CAMPAIGN IN UTTARAKHAND   |   Posted on 30.05.2017    by Admin

Fr. Dayakar & Eight artists of Prerana Kalamanch from Varanasi under the organization of Suchetna Bareily Diocessan Social Service Centre, performed the Nukkad Natak (Street Theatre) on the themes of environment, corruption and education of Girls in the Villages of Bazpur, Katgodham, Jollikote, Ranikhet, Bhawali & Chaubatiya from 20th to 28th May.

The artists were highly appreciated in the villages for their acting and as well as for the message being communicated through the plays. The enthusiasm of the people to learn something on the plays enriched and encouraged the artists. Special thanks to Fr. Peter, Fr. Ivan, Sr. Reshma, Sr Monica, Mr. Giriraj& Mr. Gaurav who have helped us to reach out to these places to bring awareness among the people.

Snehabali, the Passion Play in collaboration with IMS Dhyana Bhavan and Santvana   |   Posted on March 2017    by Admin

Twelve artistes of Prerna Kala Manch, along with seven members of Santvana Community, Delhi and two counselors of IMS Dhyana Bhavan, Alapuzha performed beautifully SNEHABALI, the passion play (the sufferings and death of Jesus) in Malayalam language in 14 churches of Kerala from 7th to 22nd March 2017.

The artistes were highly appreciated for their accomplished acting and perfect lips synchrinization. The audience appreciated the heart-touching message of the play, the well written script, melodious songs, the symbolic yet simple stage settings, the highly professional lighting and sound. We are happy that the message of love and brotherhood has been reached to thousands of people in an effective manner.

100% UP   |   Posted on March 2017    by Admin

Care for Air campaign against air pollution took us to various parts of Varanasi, Allahabad, Kanpur, Agra, Jaunpur and Singrauli in January and February 2017. Just prior to the assembly elections in UP, a unique camapign called 100% UP, was also carried out which included street plays, songs, rallies, signature campaign and an advocacy with political parties appealing to them to make UP 100% free from air pollution and to make this as part of their election manifesto. The camapaign resulted in some of the parties including steps to control air pollution in their manifestos.

VJJSS organised a seminar in collaboration with Green Peace and WBT against air pollution. We also hosted a few programs of Green Peace on creating stories for Radio. Fr. Dayakar participated in a program of Green Peace in Lucknow making strategies for reducing air pollution.

World Blind Walk   |   Posted on 14 Oct. 2016    by Admin

On 13th October, the World Sight Day, collaborating with Vision Project, Bangalore, CARDS Delhi and different social organisations of Varanasi VJJSS gave a lead to a Blind Walk from Shaheed Udyan, Sigra to Bharat Mata Mandir. More than 500 sighted people were blindfolded and were led by almost 100 visually impaired people. It was a unique experience.

VJJSS gave lead by singing awareness songs during the rally and organised the cultural programs in collaboration with Jeevan Jyoti School, Sarnath. This was a unique opportunity to motivate people to pledge for eye donation.

Flood Relief   |   Posted on 4 Sept. 2016    by Admin

The unprecedented flood in Varanasi, was a unique opportunity for VJJSS to share solidarity with the large number of people whose houses were inundated in flood waters. From 22nd August to 3rd September VJJSS coordinated fund raising, collection and purchase of relief materials, packing and distribution of these materials in collaboration with various partner organisations, educational institutions.

Fr. Dayakar, Br. Andrew and Rajender rai of Kiran Centre along with Sr. Prabha OLP worked hard to collect money and materials. With the help of many supporting hands we were able to reach out to 15 mohallas/slums and a few villages of Varanasi and Mirzapur Districts. 2183 families were helped with releif materials.

Save Varuna-Assi Campaign   |   Posted on 27/04/2016    by Admin

Varuna and Assi rivers make Varanasi. Our Campaign to save Varuna is on the way is a huge success as the is working hard is give new life and look to Varuna.

We had kept up the Campaign to save Assi river which is a victim of encroachment, neglect by the civil society and administration.

On 27th April 2016, along with member of various social organization of Varanasi we gathered at Assi Bridge with placards and leaflets. PKM Artistes sang songs appealing for clean water, clean revers and clean city.

Clean Ganga Campaign   |   Posted on 17 April 2012    by Admin

Under the leadership of Father Anand and Father Dilraj of the Indian Missionary Society, the volunteers got into filthy water with their spades, brooms and baskets for a massive cleanliness drive. The campaign began at Kedar Ghat where hundreds of Hindu sadhus, priests and civilians were sitting on satyagraha. After a common prayer along with people of other religious faiths, the Christian volunteers picked up garbage consisting of polythene bags, left over ritual materials, old dirty clothes, glass pieces etc.

Catholic priests, Protestant pastors, religious sisters, students of theology and philosophy, Christian laity from various churches and cultural and social activists belonging to Hindu and Muslim faiths cleansed 700 meters long stretch covering five ghats. (River Ganga flows through 84 ghats in Kashi, the most ancient living city of the world.) They transported the garbage by a boat to the other side of the river and dumped them far away from human habitation. Shri Pramod Manjhi, president of the boatmens association was standing with folded hands inside the river from dawn to dusk as a tapasya (austere practice). Similarly some others were performing buddhi-shuddhi yagna (ritual sacrifice for a sound mind) for the national leaders.

Everyone of them wanted the government to act. Fr. Anand told this reporter that he is convinced that Ganga can be cleaned only with the cooperation of the local people. For this, there is a need of mass awareness among the local people, the pilgrims and the priests. Much of the filth is caused due to the materials used for rituals. The pujaris (priests) and others involved in arati and other ritualistic acts have to change their mentality, said Fr. Anand. The volunteers distributed copies of a leaflet containing 10 appeals to the administration and the civilians appealing for a new mindset. The appeal challenged the traditional practice of pushing five types of dead bodies to float in the river. They are the bodies of children below five years, pregnant women, people who die of snake bite, chicken pox and white-leprosy (with the hope of their coming to life by the grace of Mother Ganga).