Blog

A Life Dedicated to Service

It is our privilege to write about Mr. Kartik Banik, the esteemed Founder of MAA Mission Ashram, West Bengal and a Honorary Member of iNNER-EYE Foundation, Bangalore. His incredible journey and unwavering commitment to philanthropy are truly inspiring. Born and raised in Hooghly, Kolkata, Mr. Banik pursued a degree in English Literature at Kolkata University. His professional journey began at a government school in Srirampur, where he worked until 1990. Prior to this, he was a part of the Bodhi Cariya Mission School, NGO, serving as the Founding Principal. This international school focuses on helping tribal communities, and in this role, Mr. Banik visited Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, and Tripura to aid these communities. In 1992, he attended the Bodhi Peace Conference, which significantly influenced his vision. He left the organization in 1998 to start MAA Mission Ashram.

The restless service more than 25 years

MAA Mission Ashram was founded in 1998 with Mr. Banik’s personal savings. The inspiration to start this organization came from Dr. A.S. Mukerjee, a professor at Saint Stephen’s College in Delhi. Dr. Mukerjee guided Mr. Banik to focus on Education instead of Politics, instilling in him the belief that self-education is the solution to eliminating poverty and disparity. With this vision, MAA Mission Ashram was established in Kolkata with the primary mission of lifting children out of poverty through science and moral teaching. The organization has undertaken several impactful projects. One of the key initiatives is the Non-resident Outreach Program, where the organization goes to villages to teach over 150 students without requiring them to reside at the ashram. Another notable project is the talent hunt among slums and backward areas to identify promising children through quizzes and debates. This initiative began even before MAA Mission Ashram was officially founded.

The primary focus of MAA Mission Ashram is on Education and preventing elderly women from begging by meeting their needs. The organization has successfully stopped 30 mothers from begging and has positively impacted the lives of 150 village children. Despite the challenges, Mr. Banik has been cautious in partnering with other organizations. However, he has found a reliable and trustworthy collaborator in iNNER-EYE. Reflecting on his journey, Mr. Banik humbly attributes the founding of MAA Mission Ashram to destiny. He relies on funds and friends for the future of the organization and expects iNNER-EYE’s support, as a partnering organization, to continue supporting their goals. Although he does not have a concrete succession plan, he believes that posterity will ensure the continuation of their work.

Mrs. Vandana & Ms. Annapurna: The great strength of Kartik Banik for his Mission

Mr. Banik also expressed his deep gratitude towards his family. His wife Mrs. Vandana, and his daughter Ms. Annapurna Banik, have been incredibly supportive throughout his journey. Despite financial struggles, Mrs. Vandana stood by him for his noble cause since beginning. She became a government school teacher in July 2000 and has supported their family ever since. Over the years, Mr. Banik has received several awards and recognition, including the Lifetime Achievement Award from Milon Samithi, the Chhatra Bandhu Award from Ramakrishna Mission in 2005, and various awards from the Railway Passenger Organization, a local MLA, Panchayats, and over 50 other organizations along with the Best Humanitarian Award of iNNER-EYE.

Mr. Banik’s message to society is encapsulated in the philosophy of Aveda Dharshan, which emphasizes the strength of unity and the joy of unlimited possibilities without differentiation or discrimination. Mr. Karthik Banik’s journey is a testament to the power of self-education and unwavering commitment to societal up-liftment. His work with MAA Mission Ashram continues to inspire and positively impact countless lives. We, the iNNER-EYE, perceive his intention, thought, knowledge and service in his entire life with the great of support of Mrs. Vandana & Ms. Annapurna — the family sets an example in the Nation as best human being, mentor and good soul.

Geeta Rathod
CEO, iNNER-EYE