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আমাদের কথা About usWomen together, for society
Dashapraharanadharini is a women's organisation for social work in Kolkata. We work in ten areas, like the ten hands of Maa Durga, so that women can lead change in their families, neighbourhoods and city.
How we began
Five women from Kolkata kept having the same conversation: so many women around us have skills, time and goodwill, and so many others need exactly that help. What was missing was a way to bring them together.
So, in Sharadiya Navratri 2026, the season when Kolkata welcomes Maa Durga, we started Dashapraharanadharini. We chose ten areas of work, from education and health to livelihood and leadership, and we are building each of them step by step, with anyone who wants to help.
We are at the very beginning. Everything on this website is either something we aim to do or, as time goes on, something we have really done. We will always tell you which is which.
What we are here to do
To bring women together so that their strength, turned in ten directions, solves real problems in Kolkata's families and neighbourhoods.
A progressive, wider society, একটি প্রগতিশীল বৃহত্তর সমাজের জন্য, where every woman can learn, earn, stay well and lead.
How we work
- Women-led and volunteer-run
- We work with qualified professionals for health, legal and career topics
- We use only official information, explained in simple words
- Consent before any photo, and dignity for everyone we meet
- Small steps first: we start small and grow as volunteers join
Who we work with
Women of every age, girls and students, and families and elders in Kolkata's neighbourhoods, together with schools, colleges and anyone who shares our values.
Where we are today: brand new, volunteer-led and at the very start of our journey.
Why “দশপ্রহরণধারিণী”?
She who holds ten weapons
দশপ্রহরণধারিণী (Dashapraharanadharini) is a name of Maa Durga: dasha (ten), praharana (weapons), dharini (she who holds). Each weapon in her ten hands stands for a different strength.
Ten hands, ten areas of work
Our logo shows Maa's face within ten lotus petals. Each petal is one of our ten areas of work. Together they say what we believe: a woman's strength, turned in ten directions, can lift a whole society.
দশ শক্তি · দশ উদ্যোগ · এক উজ্জ্বলতম আগামী
Ten strengths · Ten initiatives · One brighter tomorrow
Our values
সংযোগ
Connection
Bringing women, families and neighbourhoods closer.
সহযোগিতা
Cooperation
Working with anyone who shares our values.
স্কুল
School
Reaching students early, where change begins.
সুস্থতা
Wellbeing
Caring for body and mind, without shame or silence.
সক্ষমতা
Capability
Skills and confidence that last a lifetime.
সমাজের জন্য
For society
Everything we do is for the community.
Our founding members
Five women from Kolkata started Dashapraharanadharini together.
Piyali Roy
Founding member
Sharmistha Karmakar
Founding member
We will introduce our other three founding members here soon.
The Ten Divine Hands at a glance
Our Partners
More partners are joining this noble cause. Come, join us and contribute to society's progress.