PRADAN

PRADAN works with 170,000 families across India, mostly tribals and very poor people.

Questions and Answers: Deep Joshi 2009

A culture of philanthropy definitely exists, people give to those they know personally while a lot of money is given to temples and religious places … In PRADAN, we feel it is important to tap into government programs and funds meant for poor people.

Questions and Answers: Deep Joshi 2009

Deep Joshi, social activist and executive director of Professional Assistance for Development Action (PRADAN), is this year's recipient of the Magsaysay award, one of Asia's highest civilian honors.

Questions and Answers: Deep Joshi 2009

The citation says it's for showing leadership and setting up an organization, PRADAN, which takes educated people with empathy to the villages, that is, it brings heads and hearts together.

Questions and Answers: Deep Joshi 2009

Formed in 1983, PRADAN believes that the way to conquering poverty is not through donations or handouts but by training and enhancing the capacities of the poor.

Questions and Answers: Deep Joshi 2009

PRADAN is largely funded by big trusts, like the Tatas.

Questions and Answers: Deep Joshi 2009

PRADAN could help them source their produce, whether tomatoes or cucumber, from really poor tribal families in Jharkhand.

Questions and Answers: Deep Joshi 2009

Once the village assembly is called, then NGOs like PRADAN can come in and give advice on where to plant trees, build a bund, grow your crops, etc.

Questions and Answers: Deep Joshi 2009

PRADAN is an organization which promotes livelihood among poor people, mainly in Jharkhand, West Bengal, Orissa, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.

Questions and Answers: Deep Joshi 2009

But I have been telling my colleagues in PRADAN, from where I retired last year, that PRADAN's women self-help groups, now that they are sufficiently vocal and self-empowered, they should be the ones to call for the village assembly, PRADAN doesn't have to do it!

Questions and Answers: Deep Joshi 2009