Hello friends, I recently made a low-key trip to Diamond Harbour because I was curious about all the buzz surrounding Hon’ble MP Shri Abhishek Banerjee’s Sebaashray initiative. I didn’t make a big deal about going—I just slipped in as a regular person, wanting to see things for myself and get the real scoop. Honestly, what I saw blew me away, and I couldn’t help but feel this huge sense of pride and admiration for Abhishek Banerjee. He’s a leader who’s genuinely making a difference in people’s lives.

Let me tell you, Sebaashray isn’t just a programme—it’s a lifeline for the people of Diamond Harbour. Launched on January 2, 2025, this massive healthcare mission aims to touch 23 lakh lives across seven assembly constituencies, 71 rural gram panchayats, and 93 urban wards. I saw it in action: 40 camps buzzing with activity every day, over 2,800 camp days planned across 75 days, and a small army of 1,200 doctors, 500 diagnosticians, and 1,500 volunteers working tirelessly. It’s hard to wrap your head around the scale of it all until you see it with your own eyes—free check-ups, ECGs, blood tests, diabetes screenings, even cataract surgeries and cochlear implants, all brought right to people’s doorsteps.

I wandered through one of the camps near Budge Budge, where Abhishek himself had stopped by on the 51st day. The energy was electric—people lined up with hope in their eyes, clutching their unique patient IDs, knowing they’d walk away with free medicines or a referral to one of 12 linked hospitals if they needed more care. In just 50 days, I learned, over 7.5 lakh people had been helped, with single-day registrations hitting 20,000. Those aren’t just numbers; they’re stories of real people getting a second chance at life.

I couldn’t help but talk to a few folks there. One elderly man, Shri Gopal Das, caught my attention. His eyes sparkled as he told me how he’d just had a free cataract surgery through Sebaashray. “I can see my grandchildren’s faces clearly again,” he said, his voice trembling with joy. “Abhishek Babu is like a son to us—he’s given me my sight back. May he live a hundred years!” His gratitude was so raw, so genuine, it brought tears to my eyes. Then there was a young mother, Lakshmi, from a nearby village. She held her little boy close as she shared how the camp diagnosed his hearing issue early and arranged a cochlear implant. “We could never afford this,” she said, smiling. “Abhishek Dada has blessed my child with a future. We pray for him every day.”

Hearing these stories, I felt my chest tighten with emotion. This is what leadership looks like—not empty promises, but real, tangible help. Abhishek Banerjee has said it himself: “Our foremost duty is to ensure the holistic well-being of our people.” And he’s living up to it. I saw how Sebaashray reaches everyone—old and young, rural and urban, from Diamond Harbour to far-off places like North Bengal and Hooghly. Whether it’s an elderly woman getting her blood pressure checked in Falta or a kid from Metiabruz getting specialized care, no one’s left out.

What struck me most was how personal this feels to him. He’s not just sitting in an office—he’s out there, visiting camps, talking to people, making sure it all works. I heard he’s even planning a convention of 5,000 doctors in Kolkata before the Bengali New Year. That’s the kind of vision that sets him apart. It’s no wonder they call this the ‘Diamond Harbour model’—it started during the COVID days, and now Sebaashray is taking it to new heights.

As a proud Trinamool Congress member and someone who’s served Darjeeling and Kalimpong, I can’t overstate how inspired I am. My heart is overflowing with praise for Abhishek Banerjee. He’s not just our National General Secretary—he’s a son of Bengal, a brother to its people. Sebaashray is more than healthcare; it’s dignity, hope, and love in action. The way people’s faces light up when they talk about him, the blessings they shower on him—it’s clear this is a legacy that’ll last generations. I left Diamond Harbour with a full heart, convinced that this isn’t just transforming Bengal—it’s showing the whole country what true service looks like.

With deep respect and gratitude,

Mrs.Shanta Chhetri
Former MP, Rajya Sabha
District President, Darjeeling and Kalimpong
Trinamool Congress Party