About Us
About
Panikhali Rural Development Society (PRDS) is an Indian registered Non-Governmental Organisation working to improve the lives of marginalised people. We are located in Panikhali Village in the South 24 Parganas District of West Bengal and work in the surrounding communities. PRDS is registered under the West Bengal Societies Registration Act 1961 (No. SO136300) and licensed to receive Foreign Funding by the Ministry of Home Affairs under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (No. 147110944).
Our Work
We provide education to children and young people in the communities where we work. This is done by providing pre-school education to children and follow-up coaching to older students who have been mainstreamed to government run schools. Scholarships are provided to students from Class 9 onwards to help them complete their studies. PRDS also works close with the community and in particular local women to empower them through training programmes and forming women’s groups.
Our Vision
To ensure education, health, happiness and dignity for all.
Our Mission
To improve the quality of life in the communities through educational empowerment along with sustainable and effective interventions
How We Began
Panikhali Rural Development Society, established in 2006 by Subhamoy Kahn, is dedicated to empowering marginalized communities in Panikhali Village. Born and raised in the village, Subho personally witnessed the effects of poverty and the absence of educational opportunities for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds. Motivated by his observations, he took action by constructing a modest facility adjacent to his family home, which served as the inaugural center for PRDS. This center was established with the primary objective of providing comprehensive educational support to uplift the community.
Our Jourey
With a continuous commitment to the village of Panikhali since 2006, we have actively supported local children and young people through our education projects. Additionally, PRDS has formed strong bonds with the women in the community through our mothers groups. In late 2016, we had the pleasure of meeting Calcutta Connect, an Irish Charity, and in 2017, we established a valuable partnership with them. Calcutta Connect generously agreed to fund the PRDS project, which allowed us to expand our program to two additional communities. Starting in 2019, we embarked on the redevelopment and construction of new centers in each community where PRDS operates. Over the course of three years, these projects were successfully completed. As a result, we are proud to now have three education centers, as well as a skills training and medical center, all tailored to support the diverse programs we carry out as part of our project.
Our Work Today
We are proud to have 1,211 students enrolled in the PRDS program, supported by our committed team of 58 staff members. Our centers buzz with activity from morning till evening, offering a range of programs. Classes cater to students from pre-school to Class 10, taught by specialised teachers. Our collaboration with local women’s groups remains strong, and each center features a tailoring training program. Throughout the year, we organize events at our centers to celebrate national days and raise awareness about important causes. We are dedicated to providing comprehensive education and fostering community engagement for a brighter future.
