About Us

A nutrition enhancement and computer learning program for children was started in 2015 at a government primary school in the village of Nafarganj by late Col. Bhupal Lahiri and his good friend, writer and former technologist Mr. Subhrendu Roychowdhury.  This successful program was later connected with many welfare initiatives like ground water conservation, reconstruction of houses damaged by natural calamities. After the death of Colonel Bhupal Lahiri, the Colonel Bhupal Lahiri Memorial Trust was formed in his memory. A special educational institution for class children “Pathokoli” was established where efforts are being made to provide digital education and nutrition to the children of the primary section completely free of cost. 

The nearby villages of the Sundarbans are plagued with various problems throughout the year. On the one hand, there are multiple natural disasters, and on the other ,a perpetual  livelihood crisis. Once a natural disaster occurs it takes several years to rebuild and repair the damage. Nature is their best friend and also their worst enemy. The cyclones and heavy rain destroy their houses on a regular basis. They are also always under threat from tigers and other wild animals. They cannot however escape this danger as most villagers need to venture out into the forests to collect honey or crabs which they then sell to make ends meet. Apart from occasional tourism this is their only source of income and there is no choice but to brave the dangerous elements of nature. They live in constant fear and poverty because the means to sustain themselves involves them grappling with the elements of Nature. Often the poverty,constant cycles of death and devastation leave lasting trauma on these families and predominantly their children. 

Education is their only solace and the only way to break the cycle. Pathokoli was hence founded to provide quality education to the children by means of a digital classroom. The institution ensures to take plain chalk and board learning to a better level. Their situation should not handicap them. These children have every right and access to modern day educational facilities. 

A computer room has been opened to help the students familiarize themselves with tech and equip them better to deal with the modern world. A football academy has also been founded because sports and physical activity is instrumental to keeping mentally healthy and catalyzing cognitive abilities. 

The organization regularly donates food and necessities to victims struck by cyclones and families that lose their breadwinners to tigers. The community kitchen provides food and education to children regularly but the number of mouths to feed exceeds the resources available. It is urgent and absolutely necessary to not just provide children with education but also keep the football academy open and give the children meals. The organization has helped countless families with re-building of their houses that were destroyed by floods and cyclones. 

The financial capacities that we have right now are very limited and not sufficient to cater to all the above needs. We need funds for 1) Education 2) Nutrition 3) Reconstruction of student accommodation 4) Football and Physical Education and 5) Computer Learning