Life and livelihood—these define the relentless struggle for survival faced by the marginalized people of the Sundarbans. The lifestyle and livelihoods of Sundarbans communities are vastly different from those living on the plains. Here, people constantly fight for survival—against crocodiles in the waters and tigers on land. The harsh terrain and poor connectivity put their lives under unique and continuous challenges. Almost every year, natural disasters strip them of their resources, forcing them to start life afresh. Compared to other districts of West Bengal, the coastal communities of the Sundarbans face greater uncertainty and economic decline.
Nearly 70–80% of the population here depends on agriculture, single-crop farming, forest resources, or fishing for survival. After the single cropping season ends, many are compelled to migrate to cities across India in search of work. The women of these marginalized families, left behind with their children, are forced to depend on the public ration system, somehow managing to survive on one meagre meal a day. These children, deprived of care and attention, fall behind in education. The mothers are reminded of the poet’s line—“At home, his beloved waits alone, sleepless through the night in adornment.” Poverty, deprivation, and neglect often push these children into child labour, early marriage, or even trafficking under the guise of work or temptation.
Due to a lack of alternative employment opportunities, these people repeatedly return to the forests and rivers to earn a living. In this battle, some survive, while others lose their lives to nature’s unforgiving forces.
Mukti—a socially conscious and community-driven NGO—has been tirelessly working for decades to improve the lives of the marginalized communities in the Sundarbans. From providing modern fishing equipment to introducing eco-friendly and organic farming techniques, Mukti has been striving to build sustainable livelihoods. By reducing dependence on forests, initiatives like crab farming, fish farming, and livestock rearing have been promoted to ensure income security. Yet, nature’s cruelty often shatters their hard-earned progress.
To achieve economic self-reliance, Mukti is leading several awareness-based initiatives for marginalized women. One of its remarkable efforts is the MCDF Project, which not only fosters financial independence but also addresses issues such as women’s empowerment, prevention of trafficking, early marriage, child rights, and education. Currently, with the support of the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI), Mukti is implementing a large-scale project to engage 2,000 marginalized women in home-based industries and small businesses. This initiative is called Swavalamban Accelerator in Sundarban (SWAS). This year, 50 cooperative groups will be formed to bring these 2,000 women into mainstream economic activities. Already, many women have begun opening new horizons of livelihood through activities such as soft toy making, food processing, solar flower crafts, and imitation jewellery production.
Additionally, to prevent multinational corporations from degrading livestock quality and biodiversity with low-grade feed, Mukti’s project has taken steps to produce high-quality cattle and fish feed, establishing it as a viable business model.
To truly stabilize and uplift the cyclone-ravaged livelihood of the Sundarbans, more long-term plans are essential. Eco-friendly agriculture, the establishment of small-scale industries, and integrating marginalized people into these industries are crucial. Although the exploitative grip of moneylenders has loosened to some extent, these women still need greater financial support and structured plans for alternative employment. Mukti’s role in this work is commendable and deserving of gratitude from the people of the Sundarbans.
Let us all extend a helping hand to improve the lives and livelihoods of the Sundarbans’ marginalized communities. Let us create new ideas around the unique ecosystem of the Sundarbans—its water, forests, and people—so that, despite all adversities, they can once again see the light of a new dawn. By overcoming superstitions and all forms of barriers, they can step into a new life and sustainable livelihood.
On 7th July 2025, Mukti observed Van Mahotsav at Giribala Primary School, Raidighi, in collaboration with Raidighi College, under the theme “Ek Ped – Maa Ke Naam”. The event brought together students, school authorities, and representatives from Raidighi College and the local Police Station to promote the importance of greenery and environmental conservation.
As part of the celebration, Mukti’s Health Team, along with students and guests, planted saplings within the school premises to foster environmental responsibility. In addition to the plantation drive, our team conducted an interactive health awareness session, demonstrating proper hand washing techniques and engaging children in discussions on climate change, the adverse effects of deforestation, and the significance of tree plantation.
The children actively participated in these activities, making the program vibrant and impactful. Their enthusiasm reflected a growing sense of awareness about health, hygiene, and environmental sustainability.
Mukti extends heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Arabinda Shaw, Lecturer at Raidighi College, and Mr. Prasenjit Pramanik, Head Teacher of Giribala Primary School, for inviting Mukti Health Team to be part of this meaningful initiative and for providing an opportunity to share best practices in health and hygiene with young learners.
Together, we aim to build a healthier and greener future for our communities.
A general medical camp was successfully conducted on 17th July 2025 at Rajnarayan Primary School, Patharpratima, where 72 patients received free health check-ups and medicines. The camp was organized by the Swasthya Shongini health workers of Patharpratima, in collaboration with Mukti and Kolkata Foundation.
The camp was graced by the presence of two dedicated doctors — Dr. Asik Ikbal Ansari and Dr. Debjyoti Naskar — both of whom are proud alumni of Mukti’s Talented Student Sponsorship (TSS) program. Once supported by Mukti during their academic journey, these doctors have now come forward to give back to the very community that once stood by them. Their voluntary service, offered entirely free of cost, reflected a powerful sense of gratitude and social responsibility.
Patients expressed heartfelt appreciation for the compassionate care and medicines they received. The camp stood as a testament to the long-term impact of community-driven education and healthcare initiatives, showing how Mukti’s support continues to create ripples of positive change.
We also appreciate the continuous support of Kolkata Foundation in advancing our shared mission to bring quality healthcare to underprivileged communities.
This camp was not just about healthcare — it was a celebration of hope, gratitude, and community spirit, marking a proud moment for all of us at Mukti.
From 8th to 14th July 2025, a food processing training program was conducted at Herambagopalpur under the SWAS 2.0 Project (Swavalamban Accelerator in Sundarban). The training is a part of Mukti’s ongoing efforts to promote women’s self-reliance by equipping them with practical skills and livelihood opportunities.
The SWAS 2.0 Project focuses on enhancing the capabilities of rural women by offering hands-on training in various trades such as food processing, shola set making, soft toy making, and junk jewellery making. These skill development initiatives aim to create avenues for sustainable income generation and entrepreneurship among women in the Sundarbans.
The food processing module introduced participants to techniques of preparing and preserving food products, ensuring quality and hygiene, and exploring potential markets for their products. Women engaged actively in the sessions, showing great interest in learning skills that could lead to supplementary or independent sources of income.
Mukti envisions these training programs as a step toward economic empowerment, self-sufficiency, and community-led development. The week-long training at Herambagopalpur marks another milestone in building a resilient and skilled rural workforce under the SWAS 2.0 initiative.
On 19th June 2025, a subject-specific teacher training session was organized at Kakdwip for 21 teachers representing 11 Mukti Support Schools who teach Bengali and English. The session aimed to strengthen classroom practices by introducing practical, student-friendly teaching methods.
The training focused on making lessons more engaging through real-life examples from the chapters, activity-based learning techniques, and strategies to maintain students’ attention in class. Teachers actively participated in discussions and hands-on exercises designed to make the learning of language and literature more joyful, inclusive, and impactful.
A key objective of the session was to equip teachers with approaches that can reduce dropout rates and encourage students to keep pace with their grade-level learning, ensuring a more consistent educational journey.
Educators shared positive feedback and expressed keen interest in attending similar workshops in the future, recognizing their value in enhancing teaching effectiveness.
The programme was successfully coordinated with the support of Field Coordinator Mr. Jagannath Jana, who also took care of refreshments for all participants, ensuring a comfortable and productive environment.
MUKTI remains committed to empowering teachers with the tools and skills needed to foster a culture of joyful and sustainable learning in the Sundarbans.
On 29th June 2025, Mukti conducted a Smart Agriculture Training Programme at Jharmatiali village, located in the scenic foothills of the Eastern Himalayas. The programme engaged around 400 farmers, with special focus on members of Dooars Ratna FPO, Chengmari FPO, and other NABARD-supported and partner-backed FPOs operating in the region.
Nestled in Lataguri Gram Panchayat of Kranti Block, Jharmatiali is home to around 2,500 farming families, many of whom are smallholder farmers from marginalized socio-economic backgrounds. Despite the region’s ecological richness and agricultural heritage, local farmers continued to face persistent challenges—shrinking landholdings, soil degradation, erratic climate patterns, pest outbreaks, and poor access to markets. These issues underscored the need for an integrated, climate-resilient, and inclusive approach to agriculture.
The day-long training, which was supported by NABARD, featured a mix of interactive and participatory sessions:
This training programme formed part of Mukti’s broader mission to empower rural communities, revitalize sustainable agriculture, and strengthen grassroots institutions such as FPOs to confront the challenges of climate change and rural distress. Through such efforts, Mukti aims to support a transition toward climate-smart, economically resilient, and inclusive agriculture in West Bengal’s vulnerable farming zones.
In a country where millions of dreams are often stifled by financial limitations, the Talented Students Sponsorship (TSS) Programme emerges as a beacon of hope—transforming the lives of underprivileged yet meritorious students and lighting the path toward a better tomorrow.
Since its inception in 2006, the TSS programme has been launched with a humble beginning of just ten students, now boasting over 2060 alumni who have made their mark in diverse fields. The TSS Programme has grown into a remarkable movement. Rooted in the belief that education is the most powerful tool to break the cycle of poverty, this initiative provides not just financial aid but a comprehensive support system to deserving students from marginalized backgrounds.
At its core, the programme is built on a firm belief: education has the power to bring positive change, not just to individuals, but to entire communities.
It was conceived to address one of the most pressing barriers in education—affordability. For students from lower-income backgrounds, even the brightest minds are often forced to abandon higher education due to financial constraints. TSS steps in to bridge this gap, ensuring that no dream goes unrealized due to lack of means.
So far, the programme has extended support to:
TSS apart is not just the financial aid, but the deep connection it fosters between students and donors. These interactions are more than just exchanges of goodwill—they provide mentorship, empathy, and a shared vision of a better future.
The impact doesn’t stop at graduation. TSS alumni are now actively giving back to society, engaging in social work, mentoring the next generation, and even providing educational assistance to students walking the path they once did. Their journeys from being beneficiaries to benefactors stand as powerful testimonies to the programme’s enduring impact.
With a strong network of alumni who have established themselves in medicine, engineering, education, science, public service, and more, the TSS Programme is not only creating successful professionals-these individuals are now at the forefront of benevolent initiatives, driven by the same spirit of giving that once empowered them.
As the programme continues to grow, its mission remains unwavering: to empower students with the tools, resources, and belief they need to succeed—and then inspire them to make a difference in the world. The journey from ten students to a thriving community of thousands reflects a deep commitment to building an equitable and compassionate society.
In a world yearning for positive change, the Talented Students Sponsorship Programme is a living example of how vision, compassion, and collective effort can transform lives and uplift generations.
Promoting Sustainability through Community-Led Initiatives
Mukti is honoured to be part of the 3-day Sustainability Expo held at TCS Gitanjali Park from 18th to 20th June 2025, organized by the TCS HR Team under the guidance of the HOPE initiative, in collaboration with ECBO and Safety First.
The expo brought together a diverse array of socially committed organisations and enterprises, all working toward one shared goal — promoting sustainable, inclusive, and environmentally conscious development models.
MUKTI’s Showcase: From the Hands of Women to the Heart of Sustainability
Mukti presented an array of handcrafted, eco-friendly products created by women from our Self-Help Groups (SHGs) under the SWAS (Swavalamban Accelerator in Sundarban) program. These items reflected not only the creativity and skill of the artisans but also their commitment to a greener, self-reliant future.
From natural fibre products and cloth-based items to zero-waste household goods, the MUKTI stall was a celebration of local craftsmanship, environmental responsibility, and women’s economic empowerment.
Engagement, Inspiration, and Visibility
The event witnessed a phenomenal 20,000+ footfalls over three days. Our team interacted with a diverse audience, including TCS employees, sustainability advocates, and corporate partners. The SHG members had the opportunity to directly connect with visitors, narrate their journeys, and explain the sustainable stories behind each product.
This platform also allowed us to network with like-minded organizations and potential collaborators committed to ethical supply chains, social entrepreneurship, and climate-conscious living.
A Step Forward in the Journey of Impact
Participation in the TCS Sustainability Expo marks an important milestone in MUKTI’s efforts to amplify grassroots voices, promote community-led green enterprises, and strengthen the visibility of SHG-based livelihood models.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to the TCS HOPE team, ECBO, and Safety First for this impactful opportunity. Our gratitude also goes out to every visitor who engaged with our stall, encouraged our SHG members, and supported sustainable local production.
Towards a Sustainable, Inclusive Future
MUKTI continues to believe in the power of collective action, community-driven solutions, and sustainability rooted in equity. Events like these reaffirm our vision and energize our mission.
Let’s walk this path of change—together.
For the past five years, Mukti has been actively supporting the renovation of old agricultural ponds in the Kankandighi and Nagendrapur areas—a critical intervention that is steadily transforming the livelihoods of local farming communities.
In 2025 alone, a total of 110 ponds have been renovated in the Kankandighi region. Among these, 61 ponds were restored using machinery, taking 503.9 hours to complete, while 49 ponds were renovated through manual labour, with 292,700.25 cubic feet of soil excavated in the process.
These efforts have had a remarkable impact. Renovated ponds now serve as reliable sources of irrigation, enabling year-round cultivation for hundreds of farmers. The improved access to water has not only enhanced agricultural productivity but also contributed to increased ancillary income for farming families through fisheries and other water-based livelihoods.
The initiative is a reflection of Mukti’s long-term commitment to sustainable rural development, focusing on natural resource management and economic resilience. As these ponds are brought back to life, they stand as living symbols of community empowerment, ecological restoration, and the collective journey towards self-reliance.
Mukti continues to work hand-in-hand with local farmers, ensuring that traditional resources are preserved and revived to support future generations.
In Herambagopalpur Gram Panchayat, MUKTI and its partner organisations have taken an additional step to strengthen child protection at the grassroots level by facilitating the formation of a separate, community-led committee at the village level. This newly formed structure is dedicated to raising awareness and addressing critical child-related issues—especially child marriage—through the active participation of adolescents, parents, and key local stakeholders.
As a first step, committees of 20–25 members are being formed in each mouza (village cluster), comprising adolescents, parents, and key local stakeholders such as teachers, social workers, and volunteers. These committees will serve as the first level of awareness generation and community surveillance on child protection matters.
Subsequently, selected representatives from each mouza committee will form a central committee, which will function as the core child protection committee of the Herambagopalpur GP. This core committee will include representatives from local Panchayat, selected parent representatives and adolescent boys’ and girls’ representatives.
The central committee will be responsible for ensuring ongoing child protection initiatives, organising regular awareness programs, and taking context-specific actions as needed. This includes preventing child marriages by reporting incidents to the block administration, seeking legal assistance, or activating other support mechanisms.
To ensure effective implementation, MUKTI and its partners will provide the required training and technical support to committee members in the near future.
This initiative is not merely about creating an alternative structure, but about fostering a comprehensive, community-rooted child protection ecosystem — where adolescents, parents, and members from different walks of life come together to build a safe, informed, and compassionate environment for children.