‘Tomar Thikana’ Inaugurated by Soma Chakraborty to Provide Free Shelter for Destitute Elderly on International Women’s Day

In a humanitarian initiative marking International Women’s Day, Soma Chakraborty, Co-Founder of Goodace Hospital, inaugurated “Tomar Thikana,” a completely free shelter home for destitute elderly individuals under Gouri’s Foundation. The initiative was unveiled in the esteemed presence of Dr. Manabi Bandyopadhyay, Vice Chairperson, The West Bengal Transgender Persons Development Board, Government of West Bengal, First Transgender Principal in West Bengal & Renowned Public Figure, Principal, Krishnagar Women’s College; Debraj Chakraborty, Member of Mayor-in-Council of Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation; Santanu Guha Thakurta, Renowned fashion designer; Dr. Dipankar Mukherjee, Renowned Psychiatrist and Soma Chakraborty, Co-Founder, Goodace Hospital

“Tomar Thikana” stands as one of the first initiatives of its kind in the locality and beyond. The elderly care facility has been established as a 12-bed care home that does not accept paid admissions or public applications. Instead, the foundation actively identifies elderly individuals who have no family, no support system, and nowhere left to go, offering them not merely a roof over their heads, but a space where they can finally feel a sense of belonging.

With comprehensive medical support from Goodace Hospital, residents will receive regular health monitoring, treatment, and everyday care, ensuring that dignity, safety, and compassion define their daily lives.

A respected leader in the healthcare sector, Soma Chakraborty has spent over 15 years in senior roles across several reputed institutions including INK, Fortis, Pratiksha Hospital, Swagat Hospital in Assam, and also served as the Deputy General Manager at Mercy Hospital. Her long-standing association with healthcare and patient welfare has shaped her commitment to addressing social needs beyond hospital walls.

At its heart, Tomar Thikana is a deeply personal initiative by Soma Chakraborty, conceived as her way of marking International Women’s Day with purpose rather than symbolism, aligned with this year’s theme “Give it to Gain.”

Speaking on the occasion, Soma Chakraborty, Co-Founder, Goodace Hospital, said, “Tomar Thikana is not just a shelter, it is an attempt to restore dignity and belonging to those who have been forgotten by society. On this International Women’s Day, I wanted to give something meaningful back to the community. If even a few elderly individuals who had nowhere to go can finally find warmth, care, and an address they can call their own, then this initiative has fulfilled its purpose.”