11th April, 1993
FOSET Barrackpore sub-centre started it’s journey with an aim to propagate self reliance in science & technology as well as people’s technology movement in Barrackpore Industrial area and it’s adjacent rural society.
First meeting was held at local “Pragati Sangha” club under the leadership of Sri Mridul Chowdhury and in presence of 12 local FOSET members. Initial hurdles were many but never ending enthusiasm of members helped to cross all such barriers.
26th September, 1993
Dr. Sankar Sen, Founder President of FOEST. officially inaugurated this sub-centre.
On this occasion , first open seminar was held on “Self Reliance in Science & Technology” – the main mantra of FOSET. Dr. Satyabrata Sen, Dr. Dilip Basu and Sri Tarit Baran Topdar were also present in this inaugural ceremony.
After crossing 14 years of many ups & downs, today FOSET Barrackpore with more than 90 life members has been recognized as the most vibrant sub-centre. This is the only sub-centre where FOSET owns two nos. single room flats – one to run the UNICEF granted Water Testing laboratory and other for Office. Sub-centre office is kept open everyday from 11:00 A.M to 1:00 P.M. and from 6:30 P.M. to 8:30 P.M. Some dedicated almost whole timer members has made this impossible as common feature. FOSET Barrackpore sub-centre is truly an independent unit, which can go ahead on its own with minimum involvement of State leadership.
In the last 14 years, this sub-centre has undertaken many projects for the cause of local common people, to help local authorities and to campaign the truth of science.
Some of the major milestones of this sub-centre are as under.
In the year 1994
1.1. First project was scientific design of street light bracket for Barrackpore Municipality. Project was minor in nature but FOSET gained confidence of local authority,
- Sub-centre submitted the feasibility report on Computerization of Barrackpore Municipality.
This way, this sub-centre started walking.
February,1995
Campaign & Installation programme on” smokeless chullah’’. Total 118 rural families were provided with this facility with an aim to bring little more living comfort in their day to day life,
17th April, 1995.
Feasibility report on a “By-Pass road ‘’Connecting Barrackpore Expressway and Old Calcutta road was submitted to Barrackpore municipality,
11th June, 1995.
On the eve of 2nd Annual General Meeting of this sub-centre, a Seminar was held on “Gramin Silpayan-e Vigyan O Prayukti”. Main speaker was eminent technologist Late Dr. P N Chowdhury .
6th August, 1995.
Workshop on “Environmental aspects of Industrial Pollution and General sanitation” . The Workshop was inaugurated by Professor Debkumar Basu, the then chairman of West Bengal Pollution Control Board.
Year 1996
1. It was really one of the most eventful year. This year FOSET Barrackpore sub-centre submitted Techno-economic feasibility report for the development of local Chandanpukur market.
2 In the same year of 1996, this sub-centre submitted report on Air quality of Khardah & Titagarh Industrial area to West Bengal Pollution Control Board.
3. Survey on the present status on Ichapur Khal and its pollution level was also completed and report submission to pollution control board in this year.
8th June,1997.
A massive workshop on “Municipal Waste Management” was arranged .
More than 200 technologists and science workers participated in that workshop.
The workshop was inaugurated by Sri Nandadulal Bhattacharya, The then Sabhadhipati of Zilla Parishad of North 24 Parganas. Chairmen of all local adjacent municipalities like Barrackpore, Panihati etc were present. Eminent speakers were Prof. D N Ghosh, Jadavpur University and Prof Arunava Majumdar, All India Institute of Hygene & Public Health.
In the year 1998,
This sub-centre successfully conducted Auto CAD training program for the engineers of Barrackpore Municipality.
Year 1999
The year 1999 was full of activities for Barrackpore sub-centre:
1. This year FOSET successfully completed the “Shelter for Shelterless” project of Barrackpore Municipality. Total three nos. two storied buildings consisting of sixteen flats were completely built based on “Low cost housing technology” originally developed by renowned architect Late Laurie Baekar. This success story generated lot of confidence amongst local people for this cost effective technology.
2. From 25th to 29th June 1999.
Barrackpore sub-centre successfully arranged 12th Annual General Meeting of FOSET at Barrackpore, About 150 members from state centre and various sub-centre were present in this A.G.M.
On the eve of this A.G.M., a massive seminar was arranged at Sukanta Sadan on “ Viswayan O Bharater Arthanitee”. Eminent speakers were Dr. Amiya Baghchi, renowned economist, Late Sri Chittabrata Majumdar, famous All India trade union leader, Sri Tarit Baran Topdar, Member of Parliament and late Dr. Salil Bandopadhyay, the then chairman of Barracpore municipality. The seminar was a grand success in presence of more than 500 local progressive persons.
3. In the same year of 1999, this sub-centre submitted final report on survey of pollution level of Khardah khal.
Year 2000
In the beginning of the year, news came from the nearby Mohanpur gram panchayat regarding arsenic contamination of underground water in that region. FOSET Barrackpore sub-centre went ahead on its own to carry out a detail door to door arsenic testing of water for each & every tube well (both private & government) in the affected area. A detailed report and map of arsenic contamination was prepared and submitted to local authority. The same report when displayed in People’s Technology Congress, was appreciated by all participants and experts.
Year 2001.
Based on the confidence gained from the success of “ Shelter for Shelterless” project, one local resident approached FOSET for his own building construction based on this cost effective technology and the same was also carried out successfully.
Year 2002.
This sub-centre purchased it’s own premises at a very convenient place which is only 5 minutes walk from Barrackpore railway station. It is a single room accommodation at the ground floor of one multistoried building. It was a long pending problem for the enthusiastic members to meet at a convenient place on regular basis.
Year 2003.
On basis of past experience on Arsenic testing, Barrckpore sub-centre could gain confidence of UNICEF authorities to set up one of their Arsenic testing laboratory at Barrackpore and the same is being successfully run till today. From 2003 to 2008, this testing laboratory has examined water quality of thousands of tube wells of different blocks of North & South 24 Parganas.
Year 2004.
Major event in the year 2004 was “Prayukti Aviksha” which was a group discussion competition amongst students of local colleges. Main aim was to introduce FOSET amongst the budding scientists.
Year 2005-2006
FOSET Barrackpore sub-centre most successfully completed the awareness campaign program against pollution of river Ganges under “Ganga Action Plan” project in the. Local Schools, clubs and cultural forums were mobilized to take part in this program. There was lot of enthusiasm and voluntary participation from local people.
Year 2007
Barrackpore sub-centre was entrusted again to hold Annual General Meeting of FOSET. More than 200 FOSET members from all sub-centre and state centre participated in this AGM. This time also Barrackpore justified their proven reputation for efficient handling of any responsibility.
Year 2007-2008
This sub-centre is now handling two major projects –
One is the preparation of DPR for drainage system of about 40 K.M. for 6 Gram Panchayats under Barrackpore- II Panchayat Samity in North 24 Parganas.
Another is the Ongoing Project of Arsenic testing as extended by UNICEF authorities.
Present office bearers of this sub-centre:
- President – Sri Ashok Kumar Sadhukhan.
- Secretary – Sri Somnath Narayan.
- Vice President – Sri Manoj Tarafdar, Sri Tapan Chowdhury, Sri Bijoy Krishna Goswami.
- Assistant Secretary – Sri Sushil Kumar Bhowmik, Sri Tapan Datta.
- Treasurer – Sri Barun Kumar Dey.
