Prayaas Youth Empowerment Foundation

If you’re looking for us, we’re over by the number nine rail gate in Dankuni. It’s easy to find if you know the area, right in Nandan Kanan East, Ward 9. The office is actually part of Pronab Dey’s place. It feels more like a home than a business, which I think makes the kids feel more comfortable when they stop by. Being near the rail gate means we hear the trains going past all day long. It’s a bit of a landmark for us. Prayaas Youth Empowerment Foundation is basically just a group of us trying to give the younger crowd something to do. We see a lot of talent in these kids, but they don't always have the right tools or a place to go. So, they come here. We have some old computers and a lot of books piled up. It's not fancy, and sometimes the roof leaks a tiny bit when the monsoon is heavy, but we manage. We don't have a big board of directors or anything like that. It’s just Pronab and a few others who care about Dankuni. We spend our afternoons talking about jobs or school stuff. There’s usually a pot of tea going. We don’t have a formal schedule most days. People just show up when they can. It’s a practical way to run things, and it keeps us connected to what’s actually happening on the street.