DEVELOPMENT WITHOUT DESTRUCTION,
EMPOWERMENT FOR ENABLING CHOICES

Pragya India is a non-profit development organisation committed to poverty relief, environmental protection, access to healthcare and education, gender equality, social justice and disaster management. Founded in 1995, Pragya secures transformational change at the grassroots, focusing on the remote and marginalised communities often left behind in the development process.

Our Mission

Pragya’s mission is to enable grassroots sustainable development for the poorest, most neglected communities in remote and marginal societies, in a way that preserves and promotes local cultures and fragile ecosystems.

Our Vision

Pragya’s vision is one of marginalised communities living dignified lives free from poverty and injustice, fully enjoying the benefits of development in a manner harmonious with cultural heritage and the natural environment. 

OUR VALUES

The core values upon which Pragya is founded guide us in our fulfilling our mission.

Development without destruction

Pragya brings the benefits of modernity to the underserved in the most remote regions and fringe societies of the world, in a way that embraces the best of their cultural heritage and sustains their ecological base. We believe in a sensitive and nuanced approach to development that values and recognises the opportunities in cultural-ecological heritage. Our development solutions ensure the protection of fragile ecologies that characterise many of the locales in which we operate, sustainably integrating the rich environmental resources into our initiatives where appropriate. We also seek to blend the traditional with the modern, adopting appropriate technologies that complement and respect traditional knowledge and... Read More

The core values upon which Pragya is founded guide us in our fulfilling our mission.

Development without destruction

Pragya brings the benefits of modernity to the underserved in the most remote regions and fringe societies of the world, in a way that embraces the best of their cultural heritage and sustains their ecological base. We believe in a sensitive and nuanced approach to development that values and recognises the opportunities in cultural-ecological heritage. Our development solutions ensure the protection of fragile ecologies that characterise many of the locales in which we operate, sustainably integrating the rich environmental resources into our initiatives where appropriate. We also seek to blend the traditional with the modern, adopting appropriate technologies that complement and respect traditional knowledge and crafts. 

This is development without destruction. This is sustainability. This is Pragya.  

Empowerment for enabling choices

Pragya believes in the transformative power of marginalised communities to come together and in their innate strength and will to shape their own future. We believe this capacity to be essential to human dignity. We act as change-enablers, nurturing potential in communities downtrodden by mainstream society, who have not the means but the imagination, ingenuity and drive to better their lives and improve the prospects for their children. We build capacity at the grassroots, facilitating self-management of resources through the establishment of social structures and supports able to sustain themselves. We equip impoverished communities with the tools and know-how to propel themselves to social and economic prosperity.

This is empowerment for enabling choices. This is dignity. This is Pragya.

Certain fundamental principlesof intervention further define Pragya’s work.

Integrated development

Pragya believes that development initiatives are most effective and sustainable when fully addressing the interlinked social, economic and political factors and root causes of poverty. We take a comprehensive approach, combining research, advocacy, awareness raising, resource inputs, and training, working with communities across related themes such as water supply and agriculture, healthcare and nutrition, education and social norms – all of which are impacted by cross-cutting issues like climate change, gender, protracted conflict, and governance that represent strategic priorities for Pragya. By designing development solutions with multiple, mutually supportive elements, our projects have a track record of unaided continuity in the long term.

This is integrated development. This is real impact. This is Pragya.

Building relationships

Pragya believes in bringing people together for collaborative action. We believe that in combining our strengths with those of other key stakeholders, we create synergies for greater efficiency and improved outcomes. We work in coordination with the likes of educational and research institutions, NGOs and civil society, industry, national governments and the United Nations. But just as important to Pragya are the long-term relationships we foster with beneficiary communities though sensitive dialogue and sustained engagement. We engage across key pillars of community life, including schools, health centres, police and local authorities, cultural institutions and employers, harnessing the breadth and depth of ideas, skills and experience, for collective and efficient response to unique development challenges.

This is building relationships. This collaboration. This is Pragya.

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OUR HISTORY

Established in 1995, Pragya India was the first branch of the now Global Pragya family. Armed with knowledge, experience, and guiding values, Pragya has since established itself as a respected member of India’s development community. Initially focussed on the preservation and protection of threatened Himalayan ecologies and the rich cultural heritage of the region’s inhabitants, Pragya India’s work over two decades has expanded to encompass a diverse portfolio of development programmes, serving the most neglected communities in remote regions spanning northern, western and eastern India (see our map). Since its inception, Pragya India has been guided by its core values, and continues to conduct itself today with unwavering commitment to its principles in delivering its work.

Founded by two individuals with a visionfor a brighter future, Pragya India now numbers about 50 staff at its Head Quarters in Gurgaon, with staff also situated across its 13 field offices. Winning its first accolade in the year 2000, Pragya India’s achievements and impactsto date have been recognised by several prestigious awards.

Awards
                                   
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OUR TEAM

Board Members

Gargi Banerji

Chair

Jayshree Raveendran

Trustee

K. Subramanian

Trustee

Sunil Pillai

Trustee

Staff Members

Abhijit Ghosh

Manager – Finance & Accounts

Dr. Mary Ipe

Chief Operating Officer, India

Nilesh Ekka

Manager, Disaster Management

Sejuti Basu

Senior Manager, Research and Advocacy, India

Pragya (India) is registered as a Trust under the Indian Trusts Act, and has an FCRA (Foreign Contribution Regulation Act, India) certification. 

Pragya is registered with Niti Ayog, Government of India (Darpan ID HR/2017/0150842). 

Pragya has GuideStar India Platinum Certification [GuideStar Number (GSN) 5444].