Founder’s Story

Ujan: A Story
The History of Ujan
Pratik Das (Founder of Ujan Fair Trust)

In 2016, right after finishing college, I got admitted to a teacher training course at Purba C. K. College. I never imagined that a new chapter of my life would begin from here. After coming straight out of school and college, it felt really good to meet many friends and brothers. It was during this time that I found a lot in common in mindset and thinking with a few people – Satyajit, Arijit, Sagar, Sudeep, Soumen. Our bond of friendship grew stronger.

Satyajit used to stay at the Mahishadal hostel for studies. I stayed in Kolkata for studies. The rest stayed at home. But every now and then, we would all make plans to meet together at Mahishadal.

One such day, after having lunch in the hostel, I, Satyajit, Sagar, and Soumen were sitting and discussing various topics, and among them we were talking about the Khejuri area where our homes are. Khejuri is a place that is in the news headlines all year round. A hub of state politics.

But that day, these four of us were thinking – if we could do some social service work alongside our studies, maybe we could change people’s perception about Khejuri, even a little.

As soon as we thought of it, we got up to act on it, with the commitment that “we have to do this.” And that very day we came from Mahishadal to the Purba C. hostel and called the others on the phone.

At that time, there was a brother named Satyakam in the hostel. Along with him, the rest of us – 5 of us: me, Satyajit, Arijit, Sagar, Soumen – were present. When we told Satyakam about our idea, he came forward with great enthusiasm.

We had a final discussion among 6 of us, and by the time we finalized the name of the organization it was almost 10 PM that night. Finally, the name was decided: Ujan. Arijit quickly checked the dictionary on his phone to see what “Ujan” means. Arijit said in a loud voice – “Against the current.” Everything felt like a dream. Believe me, none of us had any special degree in social service, but that day we made a vow: “From zero, even if not a hundred, we will be ‘one’.”

After that, one plan after another followed. Going from Purba C. hostel to Kolkata, registering the organization. Gradually, we brought everyone together and explained to them.

Then came that special, joyful day – 13th August 2019. On that day, ‘Ujan’ was formally launched. And after that, one by one, today we are hundreds of Ujan soldiers.

In these five years, we have seen many good times and many bad times, but we never gave up. Whatever problem came, we fought against it with courage, all together.

We believe that our identity will be built through our work. So whether the situation is favorable or unfavorable, we just keep working. Because we trust that we will create history through our work.

I don’t believe in “I” or “me” – I believe in “WE”. Bulbul came, Amphan came, Yaas came, Corona came – but in no situation did ‘Ujan’ accept defeat.

Our programs have been running continuously throughout the year, as you all have seen. In this work, not only Ujan’s members but many people have supported Ujan, shown us the way, given us love, and guided us. On behalf of my organization, I extend countless thanks to them.

Ujan was born in Khejuri, a backward coastal region with people living behind. But today I can proudly say that with your cooperation and love, Ujan has now spread from the district to various districts of the state.
Please stay by our side, love us. We still want to learn more.

We are still very young. Maybe sometimes while doing some work we make mistakes, because as I said at the beginning, we didn’t learn social service from anywhere. But we have always tried to correct our own mistakes and faults and keep working.

Ujan

One by one, we have all been present in this five-year-long fight. Let’s all come together again and jump in for the welfare of humanity.

In serving people here, you may not get money, but I can guarantee you one thing — when you turn off the light in your room at night and go to sleep after a whole day, you will feel a mental peace. Yes, you will have done something. And that moment is something that profit or even crores of taka cannot buy.

I am not a good writer, nor a poet. I couldn’t write well about what has happened all these days. So I’ve just put it down as it is. I’m ending with a small poem —

Poem

We are new, we are youth
We are the student force
We have come as Ujan
To bring change to society.

Food, clothing, shelter —
We hope to provide as much as we can.
What remains is education, healthcare —
We will bring voice to the voiceless.

Indiscriminate tree cutting —
Let’s stop it and go green.
We will fight, we will act, we will lend a hand,
We will awaken even those who are still unaware today.

We are students, we are youth,
May the fire burn in your veins too.
Wishing for the wind of freedom,
Keep your faith in Ujan.

There is no fear, there is faith,
And there is Vivekananda.
Those in society who are untouchable, neglected —
They too will find a little joy.

I pledge,
I will sing the song of life.
I am with you, I will stay with you —
This Ujan is yours.