Kolkata | March 8, 2026: In a compassionate initiative marking International Women’s Day, healthcare professional Soma Chakraborty, Co-Founder of Goodace Hospital, inaugurated “Tomar Thikana,” a free shelter home dedicated to destitute elderly individuals under the banner of Gouri’s Foundation.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by several eminent personalities including Dr. Manabi Bandyopadhyay, Vice Chairperson of the West Bengal Transgender Persons Development Board and Principal of Krishnagar Women’s College; Debraj Chakraborty, Member of Mayor-in-Council of the Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation; noted fashion designer Santanu Guha Thakurta; and renowned psychiatrist Dr. Dipankar Mukherjee.
“Tomar Thikana” has been established as a 12-bed elderly care facility aimed at supporting individuals who have been left without family support or a place to live. Unlike conventional care homes, the shelter does not accept paid admissions or public applications. Instead, the foundation identifies and brings in elderly individuals who are completely destitute and in need of care, offering them not just shelter but a sense of belonging and dignity.
The initiative will also receive comprehensive medical support from Goodace Hospital, ensuring residents have access to regular health monitoring, treatment, and daily care services. The aim is to create a safe environment where elderly residents can live with respect, compassion, and emotional support.
With over 15 years of experience in the healthcare sector, Soma Chakraborty has held senior positions at reputed institutions including Fortis Healthcare, Pratiksha Hospital, Swagat Hospital in Assam, and Mercy Hospital, where she served as Deputy General Manager. Her long association with healthcare and patient welfare inspired her to address social issues that extend beyond clinical care.
Speaking at the inauguration, Soma Chakraborty said the initiative was conceived as a meaningful way to celebrate Women’s Day in line with the theme “Give it to Gain.”
“Tomar Thikana is not just a shelter, it is an attempt to restore dignity and belonging to those who have been forgotten by society. 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,” she said.
The initiative aims to serve as a model for community-driven elderly care, emphasising compassion, healthcare support, and social responsibility.
