It Starts with a Location
The Sunderbans is a very challenging areas to live in, and the area is prone to natural disasters such as typhoons and flooding. The population of 19 blocks of Sunderban was estimated at 4.7 million in 2011. It is an area of extreme poverty and ill health exacerbated by access difficulties. Almost half of the population (47%) are historically marginalized groups such as Scheduled Castes and Tribes. More than 40% of households live below the poverty line and 13% are officially declared as the “poorest of the poor”. Out migration of those of working age to cities and towns is very high and the worst social problem is human trafficking. Areas which have good infrastructure which connect communities to the mainland have higher socioeconomic status than island communities where transport relies on the waterways. As survival is the main issue, education and health are not given high priority.
Livelihood Renewal
Rural development is crucial for countries like India, where around 65% of the population resides in rural areas. Strengthening both on-farm and off-farm employment is key to revitalizing these regions. India’s current strategy emphasizes poverty alleviation, livelihood enhancement, and access to basic amenities through innovative wage and self-employment programs. It promotes participatory development by building community institutions, encouraging self-reliance, and valuing indigenous knowledge, particularly in tribal areas. Special attention is given to traditionally excluded households such as the landless, destitute, disabled, and those unable to join Self Help Groups. This inclusive and sustainable model aims to improve quality of life, manage natural resources responsibly, and reduce rural poverty, with potential for replication across diverse settings.
“Rural development is the backbone of our nation. Real India lives in villages.”
~ Dr A p j Abdul kalam, former president of india
Women Empowerment
The development objective of the Women’s Economic Empowerment Rural Development Project is to increase social and economic empowerment of poor rural women in these islands. Empowerment also includes encouraging, and developing the skills for, self-sufficiency, with a focus on eliminating the future need for charity or welfare in the individuals of the group. This process can be difficult to start and to implement effectively. Many of the barriers to women’s empowerment and equity lie ingrained in cultural norms. Empowerment approach is tried as one of the successful approaches of rural/women development. The emphasis is on collective action for attaining rights, self-reliance etc. to overcome dependency, to encounter with structures, which reinforce women’s subordination.
“Empowering women is key to building a future we want.”
~ Amartya sen, Economist and nobel laureate
Ankur (Tutorial home for first-generation learners)
Primary education is essential in shaping a child’s personality and developing their cognitive, social, physical, cultural, and emotional skills, making it a fundamental right for every individual. It fosters critical thinking, creativity, and decision-making, while also enhancing job readiness. Through Project Ankur, we ensure first-generation learners have access to quality education, focusing on deep subject understanding and analytical thinking. Our holistic approach integrates learning with real-life application and overall development, creating a strong foundation for lifelong growth.
“Knowledge is power. Information is liberating. Education is the premise of progress, in every society, in every family.”
~ Kofi annan, former UN Secretary-General and nobel laureate
We Create Lasting Change
Our programs focus on training local healthcare professionals, supplying medical tools, and upgrading facilities to improve community health outcomes. A recent survey revealed alarming statistics: 40% of children were underweight, 51% were stunted, and 8% suffered from severe acute malnutrition. Four out of five villages showed critical levels of nutritional deprivation. Among women, 25% had low BMI, over 40% were anaemic, and 41% practiced poor hygiene by using water, mud, or ash instead of soap after defecation. Anaemia in non-pregnant women (64%) was significantly associated with low BMI, lack of family planning, and the use of non-oral contraceptives—highlighting a severe public health crisis that demands integrated and sustained intervention.
“Health and hygiene are the birthrights of every human being.”
~ Dr. Bindeshwar Pathak, Indian social reformer and founder of Sulabh International
Medical Camps
The Sundarbans faces unique public health challenges due to its geographic vulnerability and frequent natural disasters, making nutritional support and primary healthcare critical for island residents. With high anaemia rates among women and limited access to medical services, we plan to conduct four medical camps between September and November 2021 in the islands of Kumir Mari and Bidhob (two camps each). These camps aim to bridge the long-standing healthcare gap by offering primary check-ups, deworming for children, essential medicines, and nutritious food to around 150 residents per camp. We invite your club to support this initiative, with each camp costing approximately ₹1,00,000, covering doctors’ travel, refreshments, venue setup, and supplies.
“If hunger and malnutrition persist, we cannot claim to have made progress.”
~ Dr M S Swaminathan, father of india’s green revolution
Boat Primary Health Unit
Frequent floods pose a major threat to island communities, severely impacting their health and making the construction of permanent infrastructure nearly impossible. To address this, the government launched the Boat Clinic service in 2021, offering mobile healthcare to remote interior islands. The General Medicine Boat Facility operates as a full-service clinic, providing a safe and clean space for routine, preventive, and acute care. Travelling from Dhamakhali twice a week, the boat delivers primary healthcare services for common illnesses like fever, anaemia, stomach infections, and calcium deficiency, followed by dental and eye check-ups. These mobile clinics are expected to reach and treat 2,000 to 5,000 people monthly, significantly improving healthcare access for previously unreached populations. Equipped with operating theaters, diagnostic labs, maternity units, and recovery wards, it bypasses barriers like poor transport and rough terrain. More than just a mobile clinic, it’s a symbol of our belief that healthcare should be universal—delivering life-saving care and hope, one port at a time.
“India’s place in the sun would come from the partnership between wisdom of its rural people and skill of its professionals.”
~ Dr. Verghese Kurien, Social Entrepreneur and Rural Development Visionary
Upcoming Projects
Eye Check-Up Camp.
COVID Vaccine Camp for Special Child.
Medical Camp.
Eye Keratitis Treatment.