Premananda Ashram

Comprehensive History of Chamrusai Mission

Chronological Timeline

1955: Fr Premananda Singh appointed as curate at Sacred Heart Church, Kharagpur. Began missionary work among Santals, Nayagram, Belda, Keshiary, and nearby areas.

1968: Completion of Social Centre at Kharachoukhi with Sisters’ involvement.

1973 (June): Fr Ernest S.J. bought land at Halkai RC Berhihal from Dhananjay Mahato family. First families invited to clear forest at Ghola Bandha Chati.

1973 (Dec): Fr Ernest went to Europe for leave; Fr Premananda continued mission at Chamrusai.

1974: Government sanctioned 100 acres of land at Chamrusai for cultivation. Salboni refugee camp dismantled; 300 houses sanctioned.

1975: Shantidam leprosy mission activities began.

1978: Fr Ernst suffered heart attack; Fr Premananda Singh passed away. Fr De Cocq arrived at Chamrusai – new life begun.

1979: Sr. Josephine at Shantidam started a School.

1980: Grihini School in Chamrusai for orphan girls.

1981: Fr. William Barretto joined as Assistant. Bro. Melvin M.C. shifted School to Ashram.

1983–84: Primary school began to develop.

1984: Grihini shifted to Kamarchowki.

1985: Jesuits extended mission to Rangamatia, 1986: Fr. Joe Alexander made the Parish Hall.

1987: Claretian Fathers joined the mission.

1989: Fr. Joe Alexi left Rangamatia; Sr. Josephine continued work.

1990: Fr Ernst appointed Director of Chamrusai Mission.

1991–97: Fr Ernst served as Assistant Director.

1994 (Nov): Fr Cyriac Sebastian ordained priest.

1996–2006: Chamrusai expanded under new leadership; Frs. Sunny and Amulya joined.

1999: School strength reached 900 students.

2000 (15 May): First Executive Committee Meeting of Chamrusai Premananda Ashram Society.

2001 (2 Sept): Fr De Cocq passed away in Belgium. Remembered for housing, education and women’s empowerment initiatives.

2005 (Oct): Fr Ernst reassigned to Khamarchoukhi though ill.

2006 (15 Mar): Fr Ernst passed away; remembered as pioneer of Santal mission.

Detailed Chronological History

1955

Fr. Premananda Singh was appointed curate at Sacred Heart Church, Kharagpur.
He soon began his missionary outreach to Santals and tribal people in Sankrail, Keshiary, Nayagram, Belda, and surrounding areas. He pitched his tent in villages, moved among the people, and built lasting connections.

1968

With the support of the DSA Sisters, Fr. Premananda established a Social Centre at Khamarchoukhi. This became a hub of social and pastoral activities, laying the foundation for future missionary work in Chamrusai.

1973

On 24 June 1973, Fr. Ernst S.J. purchased seven acres of forest land on behalf of the Calcutta Roman Catholic Archbishop from Dhananjay Mahato, a Praja of the Bolorampur Raja family. This royal family frequently visited the area for hunting and would tether their horses in the village adjacent to the present Premananda Ashram—an area still known today as “Ghoda Bandhi Chati” (the place where horses were tied).

Fr. Ernst brought the first 25 families to clear the dense forest at Ghora Bandha Chati, marking the beginning of the Chamrusai settlement. These pioneer families lived in tents, cleared the land, and gradually built their homes. Later that same year, Fr. Ernst travelled to Europe for four months of leave, leaving Fr. Premananda in charge of the mission.

After the Bangladeshi refugees vacated Salboni, Noran Das—a bachelor and freedom fighter—along with a ring factory owner-Zamindar and Ganapati Bose, a farmer, accompanied Fr. Ernst to meet the District Magistrate. Through their joint efforts, they secured refugee camp materials such as asbestos sheets, wooden beams, and other supplies. These were used to repair and construct homes for the poor. With this support, 300 houses were built with valuable assistance from the engineering students of IIT Kharagpur.

In addition, the MC Brothers at Shantidam Ashram Centre constructed a hospital, 25 houses for workers, and 15 houses for the R.C. Pada on the 100-acre land, using these materials. Each of the 25 Ashram workers was also allotted more than two acres of land, strengthening the settlement and its community life.

1974–1975

The Government sanctioned 100 acres of land at Chamrusai for agricultural development, supporting 40 families to cultivate maize and vegetables. At the same time, refugee camps at Salboni were dismantled, and 300 houses were sanctioned for resettlement. Shantidam leprosy mission activities were initiated during this period, expanding the social outreach of the mission.

1978

Fr. Ernst suffered a heart attack and was transferred to Basanti. That same year, Fr. Premananda Singh passed away. Meanwhile, Fr. De Cocq arrived in Chamrusai, marking the beginning of a new phase in the mission’s growth.

1979–1984

In 1979, Sr. Josephine started a School at Shantidam, focusing on the education of girls.
By 1980, the Grihini School was established in Chamrusai for orphan girls, further expanding opportunities for education. In 1981, William Barretto joined as assistant to Fr. De Cocq, and Bro. Melvin M.C. relocated the school to the Ashram. Between 1983 and 1984, the primary school began to develop steadily, and by 1984 Grihini was shifted to Kamarchowki as a Primary School.

1985–1989

Jesuit involvement expanded to Rangamatia in 1985. Fr. Joe Alexander contributed to the Parish Hall from 1986, while the Claretian Fathers joined the mission in 1987. In 1989, Fr. Joe Alexander left Rangamatia, and Sr. Josephine took greater responsibility for educational work in the area.

1990s

In 1990, Fr. Ernst was appointed Director of Chamrusai Mission, later serving as Assistant Director from 1991 to 1997. During this time, education expanded rapidly, and by 1999, the Chamrusai School had grown to 900 students.

Fr. De Cocq’s vision was to enable tribal children to compete with others through quality education. He promoted housing, agricultural education, and training programs for women.
In November 1994, Fr. Cyriac Sebastian was ordained priest.
Between 1996 and 2006, new leadership, including Frs. Sunny and Amulya, strengthened the mission’s progress.

2000

On 15 May 2000, the First Executive Committee Meeting of Chamrusai Premananda Ashram Society was held. Membership applications were accepted, and leadership changes were made as the President, Secretary, and Treasurer resigned, with plans for new elections in the General Meeting held on 30 May 2000.

2001

On 2 September 2001, Fr. De Cocq passed away in Belgium following a heart attack.
He was remembered for his tireless dedication to tribal education, housing initiatives, and women’s empowerment. His contributions left a lasting legacy in Chamrusai.

2005–2006

In October 2005, despite ill health, Fr. Ernst was reassigned to serve as Parish Priest at Kamarchowki. On 15 March 2006, Fr. Ernst passed away, leaving behind decades of missionary commitment and sacrifice. He is remembered as a pioneer of the Santal mission, alongside Fr. Premananda and Fr. De Cocq, all of whom played vital roles in shaping Chamrusai Premananda Ashram.