Our History.
The Foundation & March Forward
Our Golden Past
Swami Nityananda Bramchari
Swami Nityananda Brahmachari came like a “trailing cloud of glory” from Sargashram (Haridwar/Hrishikesh) and became enamoured with the shape of the then ‘Patra’ (a sprawling land) purchased it from its owners the local Mukherjee family and christened it ‘Manbhum Ananda Ashram’. Like a true savant he espoused the cause of the local people then grovelling in the quagmire of poverty, superstition and lack of educational facilities. The panacea he sought for and found was spread of education. He founded a ‘Chatuspathi’ and that turned out to be a torch to dispel the surrounding gloom and darkness. In fact, the Trust in its embryonic form in his lifetime and on his demise, it was registered as Manbhum Ananda Ashram Nityananda Trust bearing Registration No. S/3863 of 1959-1960. Our ‘ZERO HOUR’ commenced accordingly.
Swami Nityananda Bramchari
Sri Harihar Mukherjee
Sri Harihar Mukherjee
The mantle of the glory of the deceased savant was then fittingly donned by his worthy disciple Late Sri Harihar Mukherjee, an undaunted social activist with a chequered career. He started where the savant had stopped. Challenges and odds were very many there but the determined visionary in him took arms against the sea of troubles. Like the proverbial crow, Sri Mukherjee had his will and he found the way. Swamiji had his Chatuspathi – a flickering lamp against the blast from all corners. Like the ‘Jeevan Deep’ symbol Sri Mukherjee guarded it with his hands cupped and helped it glow more and still more. Under his leadership, a High English School was started on 1st January 1940. But was a long patient and strenuous travel from pillar to post in search of resources. He did not aspire for any princely donations from the then colonial rulers instead he went to common people with his mission to be with them expecting them to be with him. They were. They contributed their mites to translate his Guru’s long-cherished dream into a reality. Under the aegis of the Trust, blessed with the founder secretaryship of Late Sri Harihar Mukherjee, an educational complex was developed in the Manbhum Ananda Ashram from 1940 to 1971. The Ashram is now having primary school, girls school, co-educational high school, public library and a degree college. More than 3000 students have been studying there.
1960
EDUCATION
MANT began its journey in 1960 with a primary school for children in Laulara Village, Purulia, later expanding to establish a higher secondary school and, eventually, a degree college. Recognizing the importance of cultural preservation, MANT also conducts informal schools across Purulia, introducing Santal tribal children to the Alchiki script, the written form of their language, which is absent from formal curriculums. These initiatives protect and nurture Santal heritage amidst rapid modernization. Today, the formal schools and college are managed by the Government of West Bengal, with MANT actively involved on their governing boards to ensure sustained community impact.
1999
HEALTH
In partnership with the Government of West Bengal, MANT has been working to make essential healthcare services—Primary Health Care, Reproductive and Child Health, Radiology, and Basic Diagnostics—accessible to remote villages across the state. To bring free, quality medical care directly to underserved communities, MANT introduced Mobile Medical Camps, ensuring that even the most isolated villages receive vital health services and support.
2010
COMMUNITY MEDIA
In 2010, MANT launched the Nityananda Janavani Community Radio Station in Purulia, initially supported by UNICEF for five years. Broadcasting in Santali and Bengali, the station engages listeners through local dialects, delivering programs by and for the community, including live radio, social media interactions, phone-in sessions, personal stories, and radio dramas created by local youth. Remarkably, this initiative produced India’s first tribal woman radio jockey, a pioneering voice in media representation. Now fully community-managed, the station also features a web-radio and mobile app for broader reach, alongside short films capturing the essence of local life and culture.
2016
LIVELIHOOD
Since 2016, MANT has been dedicated to enhancing the livelihoods of marginalized communities. We have launched initiatives focused on Leadership Development training for women from minority communities, empowering them to lead and uplift their families and communities. Additionally, we have supported the formation of numerous Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and provided skill training to Santal tribal women in handloom weaving and embroidery, fostering sustainable income opportunities and promoting economic independence.
2017
PUBLIC HEALTH RESEARCH
In 2017, MANT recognized the critical need for research in the public health domain and established the Center of Public Health Research (CPHR-MANT). This multidisciplinary research center, staffed by a dedicated team, is officially recognized by the Government of India and serves as a JBI-affiliated center for evidence synthesis and implementation in indigenous health. CPHR-MANT is committed to advancing public health knowledge and solutions that address the unique challenges of underserved communities.
2022
PEOPLES’ SCIENCE CENTRE
In 2022, MANT launched the People’s Science Centre, a hub dedicated to fostering environmental resilience and sustainable practices within local communities. The center addresses crucial issues such as rewilding, climate-smart agriculture, water body restoration, and the protection of nutrient-rich native fish species. Through these initiatives, we empower communities to adapt to and mitigate climate impacts, promoting a sustainable future for generations to come.