Our Founder

Smt. Madhuri Ghosh, known as the 'Md. Younish of South Bengal', is the Mother of Bagnan due to her activities to empower women. Born and brought up in poverty, she was inspired by her mother's words after her father's death "to educate yourself and stand on your own feet". She became a teacher in a rural primary school and focused on educating poor women as she knew that education is the key to alleviating poverty. With a strong interest in poetry and drama, she used these tools to build a strong alliance among poor women.

In 1993, Madhuri Ghosh became the KARMADHYAKSHO of Bagnan-I Panchayet samity for education, information and cultural dept. Under her leadership, the total literacy movement succeeded at Bangalpur Gram Panchayet area, and many poor women became literate. They demanded self-reliance, which led Madhuri Ghosh to form Self Help Groups (SHGs) through the DWCRA program in 1995. She inspired them to save their money for the future and generate income through local business activities. This concept is now known as Apna Bazar. In 1996, she established a production and marketing unit known as DWCRA Group Samannay Samity, which has now become a consumer co-operative under the cooperation department of the West Bengal government. SHG women manufacture products and sell them to local SHG women under Bagnan-I development block, generating an annual revenue of 86 lakh rupees.

In 1997, Madhuri Ghosh established Bagnan-I Mahila Bikash Co-operative Credit Society Ltd. With the support of DRDA (Howrah), it became the largest women's co-operative in West Bengal, engaging more than 500 women who deposited more than 1 lakh rupees. The institution is managed and governed by local SHG women and does not rely on external funds. Due to Madhuri Ghosh's guidance, 37,000 women deposited 50 crore rupees in this credit society and took loans of Rs. 28.50 crore. This institution also focuses on the holistic development of the villagers, working in the fields of education, health, and the environment, distributing trees and creating nutrition gardens in 82 villages under Bagnan-I development block for pesticide-free vegetables. The organization also focuses on the prevention of violence against women and birth control. All social activities are funded by the organization itself.

Madhuri Ghosh is an ordinary village woman who has fulfilled her duty to her family by arranging her sister-in-law's marriage and supporting a poor village woman to stand on her own feet instead of begging. Her work has opened a new horizon of self-reliance, transforming the lives of many women. Her autobiography, "Adhara Noy Je Madhuri," has been published and is considered a must-read. She is a great leader who is firm yet loving, has faith in the capabilities of all members, and challenges them to excel. One member describes Cooperative as a second home where Madhuri Di gives love, affection, and guidance beyond what is required.