A Tale Of Compassion And Charity

Marwaris have a history of philanthropy dating back to their earliest days in Kolkata. The iconic and historic SVS Marwari Hospital bears testimony to this.

- Ritusmita Biswas

A WALK THROUGH KOLKATA’S AMHERST STREET, or Raja Rammohan Roy Sarani as it is now called, evokes a deep sense of nostalgia. Among its treasure trove of old, historic buildings stands an imposing red brick structure better known as Shree Vishudhanand Saraswat (SVS) Marwari Hospital. Founded in 1919, it counts among the oldest establishments to offer primary medical facilities to the poor and destitute of the city and stands as an emblem of Marwari charity and compassion.

A rich legacy

Charity, compassion and generosity have been as much a part of the Marwari community as has enterprise. Marwaris have a history of philanthropy going back to their earliest days in Calcutta (now Kolkata) as also other cities, where they settled in search of fame, fortune and prosperity. The SVS Marwari Hospital stands testimony to this.

Dinesh Kumar Seksaria, the president of the hospital, says, “This hospital was established 100 years ago when there were only government hospitals to offer modern treatment, which we today call allopathic treatment and which includes surgeries, etc. The primary mission of the hospital was to provide good treatment to the underprivileged, who could otherwise not afford it.”

Adds Durga Prasad Nathany, who is the vice president of the hospital, “The land was bought in 1912 by five of our ancestors. The founders of SVS Marwari Hospital are Ramjidasji Bajoria, Juharmalji Khemka, Rameshwarlalji Dudhwewala, Kesoramji Pochar and Chimanlalji Ganeriwala. They decided to build the hospital in 1912. Any one of them could have given money for the hospital, but instead they decided to collect money from the Marwari society. They bought three acres of land and the hospital started in 1919… now we are going to complete 100 years.”