Background 
BIKASH, which means “development” in Bengali, was founded in 1996 by a social anthropologist, Mr. Uttam Mukherjee, and a group of dedicated social workers in Bankura, one of the most backward districts of West Bengal approximately 200km from Kolkata. A constant inspiration and guiding force behind its emergence had been the late Ms. Jane Webb, an eminent social worker and founder of the Rehabilitation Centre For Children (RCFC) in Kolkata.
BIKASH began by addressing the issue of childhood disability which was a key need identified by the people of the area. In doing so, BIKASH was given technical help and support by the Indian Institute of Cerebral Palsy, Kolkata.
In time, BIKASH realized that mere provision of rehabilitation services for challenged children wasn’t enough. To give these children the chance of a decent quality of life it would actually have to attack the root causes of the problem i.e. poverty, food insecurity etc. So, BIKASH decided to take a holistic approach to the issue and expanded its work into other sectors, namely Health & Nutrition and Micro-Finance. Now, as well as helping children, BIKASH tries to empower entire female populations within their communities.
The long term aim of BIKASH is to establish the rights of women and children within their communities and to enable them to gain access to a better quality of life.
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Vision
To create an inclusive, gender just and rights based society, so that women and children, especially those in challenging circumstances, can develop their full potential and live without discrimination.
Mission
To empower women and children to achieve their full potential by addressing their needs through socio-economic development programmes.
Status of Organization
BIKASH is an Indian Non Government Organization (NGO) registered by the National Trust, Govt. of India. It’s work is entirely funded by programme-sponsoring organizations and private donations.
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Key Personnel
Uttam Mukherjee, Founder and Secretary
Born and brought up in Kolkata, social anthropologist, Uttam Mukherjee obtained a Honours Degree and then a Masters in Social Anthropology from Calcutta University. Motivated by a longstanding interest in children, he worked for 5 years at the Rehabilitation Centre for Children (RCFC) in Kolkata founded by British ex-patriot Jane Webb. Then in 1996, inspired by Ms Webb, he set out to continue her dream of extending their work with children to poor regions of West Bengal and set up BIKASH in Bankura. From very humble beginnings working out of a tiny house-cum-office and borrowing a room at the local primary school in which to start the special education centre, Uttam’s BIKASH began.
Under his stewardship Bikash has grown from strength to strength. Its work has come to be recognized and supported by international aid agencies like UNICEF and CARE, and its work in the field of child welfare attracted an Excellence Award from the Nehru Children’s Museum in 1998. Achieving a one-off private donation allowed Uttam to expand and move the organization to its own purpose-built accommodation in 2002. He now heads up a team of 45 staff and volunteers based at the Bankura office working across 10 programmes, 2 staff at the field office at Sonamuki and over 16 people working in the field.
Madhabi Mukherjee, Director
Wife to Uttam, Madhabi Mukherjee also hails from Kolkata and got her first degree in Pure Science from Calcutta University. Following that she took a Diploma in Special Education (multiple disabilities) and a Masters in Social Work. Before joining Bikash in August 2002, she worked at the Indian Institute of Cerebral Palsy for over 10 years. She worked with children up to 18 with physical and intellectual disabilities, but specialized in working with infants up to 2 years old. Amongst other things she volunteered at Missionaries of Charity, founded by Mother Teresa, and was the consultant at the special unit for disabled children there.
Madhabi heads the Disability division which includes the Centre for Special Education, Integrated Education for the Disabled, Outstation Services Unit and Counselling. She is currently leading the drive to progress the Community Based Rehabilitation Programme.
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