About us

Who we are

ICOD is an interreligious rehabilitation place for destitute, abandoned and unprivileged, where all various challenged people of all ages and conditions are mixing freely with socially challenged orphan and people without apparent disabilities, in a beautiful and totally protected environment, in a large eco-biological land expressing environmental respect, communion and HARMONY with the whole nature, plants, animals, earth, water and air.

Governing body members for the year 2022-23

Our holistic vision wants to represent total social harmony and is completely inclusive.

The priorities are well-defined :

  • The destitute, abandoned, and all the excluded of the society can find their place here.
  • CCI : “ Child care registered institution”
  • Self-sufficiency for all the challenged, mentally or physically.
  • The steps are definite: slow and steady, but depending of donations. All work has to be done on long term only since for most inmates it is a life-building challenge.
  • It is an answer to the calling of the UN for prevention of slavery, trafficking and all handicaps.
  • It is our answer to the appeal to ecumenical and inter-religious integration of all faiths on equal basis.
  • Equally, it is an appeal for environmental protection to create ecological biodiversity.

Short history of ICOD

2000 : On the first day of the millennium, Sunday first January 2000, decision in a meeting with Sukeshi of ABC, Gopadi from BPBS and  the young group of physiotherapist women from Bélari, to purchase a land for destitute after having received a huge donation from an inheritance.

2001 : A good paddy-field of 32 bighas has been found by our young John-Mary Barui (Papu) from ABC, then 18 years old, with 18 tenants along the Damodar River in an exceptionally beautiful environment.

2002 : Bélari Polly Bikash Samiti (BPBS) purchased the land with their FCRA in the name of the CIPODA founded by Dada and run by Dr. Kamruddin.

2003 : Redesigning of the land as a bio-aesthetic landscaping with large pond of 5.000 m2, in view of an ecological place. Plantation of several hundred trees and flower-trees. Registration for the CIPODA in the name of ICOD.  Excavation of the pond and enclosure of the land through a big donation of Dominique Lapierre.

2004 :  on 16th January, official installation in the first bungalow of ICOD with  76 mentally challenged women.

In July, creation of the FIRST COMMITTEE OF ICOD with:    9 members, with two Muslims and one Christian.  7 NGOs represented with three women.

  • 2004-2005 :  27 staff, 8 donatedand paid by ABC (Gopa, Kajol, Orchona, + 5 others ), and 2 paid by CIPODA, 2 by BPBS.
  • 2005-2006 :  training Centre ( 4 bungalows) constructed and paid by SHIS (Woheb, then president of CIPODA)
  • 2006 : ”Interreligious House of Prayer” (Mandir) offered by a late Polish lady, but through “Vita Mundi”, an English NGO.
  • 2007 :  Mandir completed in April 2007. Started a Coaching Centre for 200 local children at ICOD.
  • 2008 : Building of a large multipurpose Hall (by “Asha Bengal”, Switzerland, and First solar plant on it (“by Indian Project”, Switzerland). Arrival of Bro. Marcus Toppo, who became in-charge of the boys’ Home.
  • 2009 : Registration of our ICOD’s own FCRA.  Purchasing of 16 kathas for a dispensary to square up the whole land. Starting of the “Adibassis’ brickfields project” through “ Amalendo Sriti Niketan” (Sunit Sarkar, Chowani, Bagnan)2015:
  • 2015 : appointment of a “Representative of DLCJ Foundation” to all D.L. Foundation’s NGOs, bringing a lot of negatives changes
  • 2017 : Closing down of the Dominique Lapierre Foundation on 31st December, due to his bad health.
  • 2018 : Separate Home for old and sick men, and “Tagore Home” for old and sick women, transfer.
VIDEO LIBRARY

Calcutta or Kolkata is known to the world as the ‘City of Joy’, courtesy Mr. Dominique Lapierre for his world class novel, City of Joy, which is based on a true story of your life and works at the Pilkhana slum in Howrah. Please tell us how you came across Mr. Lapierre?

You believe ‘Being Invisible Is The Weapon To Do My Work’. We accept and regard this as a great principle to be followed by someone who wants to create a difference through his work. However, in a different shade of reality, a good number of people who would like to devote themselves to working, surprisingly do not know you and your work and are deprived from following a ‘Living Legend’. Living in a world where there aren’t many role model’s to follow, is it not an injustice?

You have created and supported a number of NGOs which have devoted in the development of poor men and women. For the last 10 years you are moving on with a desire of Inter-religious Center Of Development (ICOD). What really hurt you and at the same time compelled you to build Inter-religious Center of Development? Why do you think the center needs to be based on religious harmony? What is your vision of human development?

How do you like to see ICOD in next 10 years, or in 20 years

India has come a long way since independence, and stands on a strong economic foundation. How do the people in India, especially rich and well-to-do can extend their support in socio-economic development of the under-privileged people in India and other backward countries around the world?

There are a good number of NGOs working in India over the years for a variety of cause. What is your message to them? What is your message to the young children?