About us

A friendly gathering that became a mission.

From homemakers meeting informally to a registered society working across Kolkata and rural West Bengal.

Members of TOREE standing together outdoors.
Members of TOREE. The society is run entirely by its members, alongside work and family.

Our story

How TOREE began

What began as a friendly gathering among a group of homemakers in September 2015 has grown into TOREE, a registered non-profit organisation for social welfare. From small, local cultural and social events, the group grew to provide relief and rehabilitation support to families in need, while spreading awareness on environmental issues in its own modest way.

For more than eight years, the members of TOREE have worked steadily towards the betterment of marginalised communities, and the work continues until the mission is fulfilled.

Volunteers handing out folded garments from tables at a village camp.
A distribution camp in a village of South 24 Parganas.

Rural initiatives

Reaching the villages

Since 2019, the Bidyayan Scholarship has been awarded each year to students who have passed their Madhyamik examinations, encouraging them to continue their studies and build a foundation for higher education.

Since 2017, mosquito nets have been distributed periodically in villages of South 24 Parganas as a safeguard against mosquito-borne illness, along with new clothing for children and used clothing for elders.

A large group of children and members holding national flags at an Independence Day celebration.
Independence Day, celebrated on the streets of Kolkata.

Urban initiatives

Welcoming children into the fold

Empowering disadvantaged children and welcoming them into the mainstream is one of our core focus areas. We mark important days on the calendar with specially designed events, encourage visually impaired students to showcase their talent in the performing arts, and involve orphaned children, street children and children from red-light districts in creative activities.

What guides us

Vision, mission and values

i

Vision

We aspire to contribute to the development of marginalised sections of society.

ii

Mission

To work together for the care and upliftment of underprivileged children and rural communities, towards their empowerment and progress in life.

iii

Values

Integrity. We remain fair, honest and ethical in everything we do.

Our goals

What we are working towards

  • Encourage meritorious students from disadvantaged backgrounds to continue their education
  • Support visually impaired students in joining mainstream society, with equal access to opportunities in the performing arts
  • Build awareness among underprivileged children about the wider world, through participation
  • Meet some of the daily needs of rural life
  • Join the fight against climate change
  • Extend a helping hand during natural calamities
Four students standing with a member of TOREE after a Bidyayan Scholarship ceremony.
Bidyayan Scholarship recipients, 2019, the first year of the award.
Pew Mitra, Founder and Chief Advisor of TOREE.

Message from the Founder

I am glad to say that TOREE has progressed steadily and grown into a responsible part of our society. Our goal now is to widen our reach, bringing more people into our fold to share our vision. We hope to build a spirit of togetherness, so that together we can remain committed to the well-being of the weaker sections of society. We are grateful to everyone who has supported us in fulfilling our mission.

Pew MitraFounder and Chief Advisor

The people behind TOREE

Team TOREE

A small group of dedicated members, each giving their time alongside work and family, to keep the programmes of TOREE running through the year.

Pew Mitra
Founder and Chief Advisor
Madhabendra Mitra
President
Tapati Pal
Vice President
Susanta Ghosh
Secretary
Sankar Chatterjee
Treasurer
Mousumi Chatterjee
Assistant Secretary
Sarmila Biswas
Executive Member
Sutapa Chakraborty
Executive Member
Dr Shaibal Chakraborty
Advisor

Registration

A registered welfare society

TOREE is a unit of South Kolkata Toree Social and Cultural Welfare Society, registered under the Registrar of Firms, Societies and Non-Trading Companies, West Bengal.

Registration No. SO260260 of 2016-17