NilimaRani
memorial Charitable Trust - A Landmark Step

Kalarabank is a remote river side village in Manpur Panchayat of Cuttack district. It is 25 km from Cuttack, and can be approached via Cuttack-Paradeep road. Nearest Railway Station is at Raghunathpur, which is 3 km from the village. Villagers believe that from east to west, Devi Ma Katayani, Mundamalini, Maa' Kali, Maa' Mangla, Maa' Durga, Bata Goswami and Maa' Ramchandi bless and protect the village.

There is no recorded history of the village. However, it can be known from oral accounts of village elders. During the end of 18th century, when the population of erstwhile undivided Bengal was reeling under the great famine, a few helpless families from an unknown village (probably in Burdwan district now) with a strong will to survive the calamity set out on a difficult migration to flood-irrigated Kalarakuda area on the banks of Suk-Paika river. They were the first settlers of the area, which is
Kalarabank at present. It is not known how many years it took for this small settlement to become Kalarabank. It is said that only 5-6 families could complete the difficult migration.

Time changes everything. Over the course of time, these families started ghee trade in erstwhile Talamala (present day Kujang) for livelihood. From Kujang, their trade spread to the abode of Lord Jagannath, Puri. Subsequently, many people from the village went to Kolkata and Tatanagar for earning livelihood. At that time, the village had a population of less then 1000, most of whom were educated. Many highly educated villagers went on to become doctors, engineers and occupy high position in government and non-government organizations.

Nilimarani Memorial Charitable Trust was founded on the initiative of Achyuta Samanta in January 2000 with an aim to transform Kalarabank into a smart village. Objectives of the Trust is to develop Kalarabank and nearby villages in the fields of education, health, sports as well as to look after development of children, women and youth, environmental protection, extend help during natural calamities like flood, cyclone and overall development of orphaned children. A management committee was formed in the general body meeting of the Trust to formally start its functioning. Many well-wishers from the village and nearby areas have been contributing voluntary service to the Trust.

Kalarabank High School was established first to further the higher education. Subsequently, this was converted to a Model Residential High School. This school, which provides education to 700 boys and girls, is different from other educational institutions in many respects. It is well known as a 'factory to produce good human beings'. All necessary materials are provided here to groom the students into good human beings.

There is a provision to provide books and two pairs of school uniforms to poor and meritorious students free of cost. Talented students are also encouraged to study in KIIT University in future. Similarly, Kalinga English Medium School was established in the village. It was a boon for the boys and girls of the village who wanted to study in English medium. Even though it is located far away from the city, its students are in no way less than students studying in prestigious schools of the cities.