Mukti Explores Collaborative Rural Development Initiatives with West Bengal Finance Minister

On 5 August, Mukti Founder and President Shankar Haldar, along with veteran Rotarian Probir Mitra, met the Finance Minister of West Bengal Dr Swapan Dasgupta to discuss potential development initiatives that could be scaled across the state for the benefit of a larger section of its citizens.

The discussion focused particularly on holistic and sustainable village development, including integrated village-development models in which Mukti has significant experience, especially in the Sundarbans and other rural regions. Mukti and Rotary, both with strong grassroots reach and community-development experience in West Bengal, explored the possibility of joining hands with the Government of West Bengal to advance inclusive, sustainable and people-centred development.

Mukti’s national and international recognition—including its association with the UN EcoSoc framework, its listing on the NSE Social Stock Exchange, and recognition in a letter from Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman—was also noted in the context of its growing responsibility and capacity to contribute to larger development initiatives.

The meeting further explored the potential for selected projects to be developed beyond the state level, in collaboration with national institutions such as NITI Aayog. The shared vision is to create scalable models of integrated rural development that can improve livelihoods, strengthen communities and support sustainable growth in West Bengal and beyond.