Aims and Characteristics

The main aim of Sab Payechir Asar is to help children grow as creative and successful citizens of a secular, democratic, and egalitarian state rich with human values. For attaining this goal, Sab Payechir Asar, both at the main center and through the numerous affiliated branch units, carries on the regular field, and indoor activities designed to strengthen the physical, mental, and social health of children and adolescents. Our programs seek to enhance their social consciousness, sensitize them to contemporary issues, and refine their aesthetic sense. Our courses of joyful learning augment their physical abilities including skills in sports and games and nurture their talents in various cultural activities. Through educational tours and training camps, the children learn the value of collective living in the spirit of sharing and caring. We may humbly submit that our multidimensional endeavor has brought recognition as a movement supplementary to school education. We also claim to be a non-political, non-religious, and non-profit making voluntary social venture. 

Expansion

It is fascinating for us to go down memory lane and recount our Asar’s evolution since a mode beginning two years before independence. With branches spread over a wide geographical area, our message has crossed national boundaries. We have developed cordial relations with similar organizations in several countries abroad. A few of our neighboring states have, in fact, opened branches of Sab Payechir Asar for their children. Our Sonarkathis come from all strata of social life rich and poor, urban and rural. Our affiliated units work in villages, towns, and big cities. In many cases, our units are considered as a wing of schools and also as children’s sections of large clubs and associations. It is really gratifying for us to note that a large number of eminent persons who hold responsible positions were Sonarkathis in their childhood days. They still cherish happy memories of those golden years. 

Constitution

The structure and functions of Sab Payechir Asar both at the main center and in the branch units are guided and regulated by its own constitution. This well-designed document was adopted for facilitating our journey toward the goal. Times are changing. Every now and then new opportunities open up, and new problems also raise their heads. We try to amend the constitution and modify and redesign our programs in order to promote positive changes, and at the same time, resist the harmful trends of modern society.

Areas of Work

Following the ideal of basic education, our goal is to develop every child as a complete human being. Naturally, our activities are planned to focus mainly on the essential co-curricular components of school education. The major part of our programs relates to physical training including various types of sports and games. Value-loaded cultural activities are undertaken to enrich the children’s aesthetic taste and elevate their moral standards. Discussions, debates, and contests on different social issues are arranged to broaden the horizons of knowledge, sharpen their thought process, and awaken social consciousness which is reflected in their attitude and behavior.

Our day-to-day work schedules also include classes in music, dance, recitation, general knowledge, drawing, painting, etc. Our social service department organizes blood-donation camps, relief work during natural disasters, and literacy classes for underprivileged children. We arrange seminars and ‘meet-the-scientist’ sessions to arouse the members’ interest and awareness about different aspects of the environment- both physical and social. The week-long Annual Training Camp organized by us in different districts brings to us a great opportunity for providing centralized training, demonstration, and evaluation of the outcome of our efforts. More than a thousand boys and girls from units spread over the country spend these seven days of rigorous training and disciplined camp life in a spirit of togetherness. Fraternal delegates from abroad also join these camps and offer scope for the exchange of ideas. Dignitaries from all walks of life pay visits to our camp and inspire us with their words of goodwill. On a concluding day, the members find it difficult to hold back tears. These camps are unique occasions for ‘learning to live together’, as recommended by the famous Dellors commission in its report titled ‘learning: The Treasure within’.     

With a view to strengthening our organization, we arrange consultation and training sessions for organizers, workers, and trainers at the branch, zonal and central levels. To disseminate our views, plans, and programs, we publish journals, souvenirs, training manuals, and guidebooks. 

We are trying to be proactive and to get up our organization so as to meet the challenges of tomorrow by updating and diversifying programs. Our Central Children Home (Kendriya Sishu Bhaban) at James Long Sarani, Kolkata a long cherished dream of our founder Swapan Buro is gradually shaping into an actual Children’s Home. We are also arranging dormitory facilities there for children and youth leaders who often have to stay in Kolkata for a few days for medical and educational purposes. 

We are also providing our Hall for Cultural and social welfare programs of other local organizations for the ultimate development of society.