Interview with the founder

(Here we see a tiny interaction with our founder, Mrs. Susmita Mukherjee, from our evening meetings where we discussed how this organisation came into existence.) 

Interviewer: What do you remember of Prabhati, on whom this organisation is based? Could you share some of those memories for us?

Susmita: One specific incident that has remained deeply etched in my memory is from the time when my mother, Prabhati, was recently widowed. She was only 39 then—a homemaker left to raise three children aged 14, 17, and 19, entirely on her own. Life had changed overnight, and every responsibility now rested on her shoulders. Around that time, my elder sister was getting married. Amidst the emotional and financial strain, another wedding was also taking place—that of the daughter of my father’s maternal uncle. They were refugees from Bangladesh, and it was my father who had once helped them settle in the outskirts of Kolkata. But now he was no longer there to help, and the uncle was struggling to manage his daughter’s wedding expenses. 

Interviewer: How do you feel about that?

Susmita: What my mother did then still moves me. Despite her own challenges, she quietly chose to share the gold jewellery she had arranged for my sister’s wedding. She donated a part of it to support the other bride’s wedding, ensuring that a relative’s daughter could marry with dignity. It was not an act done out of abundance, but one born out of compassion and deep values—giving even when you don’t have much to spare. That quiet strength, that generosity in adversity—those are the things I remember most about my mother. Her small, selfless acts of giving are not only stories we recall; they are values that continue to shape us.

Interviewer: Prabhati seems devout and loving towards everyone around her. Tell us more about her.

Susmita: Prabhati never preached values—she simply lived them. Through her quiet, everyday choices, she showed us what truly mattered. If I had to name the value system she followed, it would be compassion without condition, dignity in simplicity, and unwavering responsibility. One vivid memory that captures this was her daily visits to the bazar. Whenever she returned home in a rickshaw, children from nearby footpath dwellings would come running toward her. And without fail, she always had something for each of them—some fruit, a sweet, or a small packet of snacks. What touched me most was that she knew every child by name. It wasn’t just charity—it was connection, respect, and genuine care. To her, those children were not “others.” They were someone’s child, someone in need of a smile, a treat, a moment of attention. That instinct to give, to remember, to treat every person with dignity regardless of their circumstances—that was the value system she lived by, quietly and consistently. She taught us that giving isn’t about abundance, but about intention. And that true kindness doesn’t need an audience—it just needs a heart that sees.

Interviewer: What inspired you to implement her value system and begin this organisation’s journey?

Susmita: What draws me to walk in my mother Prabhati’s path is not just the memory of her actions—it’s the quiet strength of her spirit that continues to live on through the people around me.

Interviewer: Who else was involved in inspiring you? How did they do this?

Susmita: In later years, I have seen this same spirit of giving reflected in my brother and sister-in-law. They are the true reason why the Prabhati Reach Foundation (PRF) came into being. Their lives, like my mother’s, are rooted in compassion, dignity, and the unwavering belief that everyone deserves a fair chance. My brother has always been deeply committed to empowering those who come from disadvantaged backgrounds, especially individuals for whom opportunities to learn and grow have been limited. He never let a lack of formal degrees stop anyone from rising. He personally mentored many—security guards and junior staff—helping them climb the corporate ladder to become General Managers, even CFOs. His belief in people and his willingness to invest his time in their growth is a reflection of the same value system our mother lived by. My sister-in-law, too, has been a pillar of silent support to countless families—especially those struck by misfortunes like death or illness. She has extended financial help time and again, never seeking recognition. To her employees, she is not just a leader—she is a mother figure. Someone who listens, understands, and stands by them without conditions. Watching them live out these values so naturally—just as Ma did—reminds me every day why the spirit of giving must be carried forward. They didn’t just inspire PRF—they shaped it with the same selflessness and belief that the smallest acts can spark real change.

Interviewer: This has been really very interesting and amazing listening to your stories. Thank you for taking out time for sharing this with us. 

Susmita: Thank you for providing this space. It was amazing sharing and reminiscing the formative years of our organisation.