“Parampara, Pratishtha, Anushasan. Yeh is gurukul ke teen stambh hain. Yeh woh aadarsh hain jinse hum aapka aane waala kal banaate hain.”

This famous dialogue from the Bollywood movie Mohabbatein aptly applies to Prayasam as well. Over its 28-year journey, Prayasam’s chief mentor, Amlan Ganguly, has tirelessly worked to build the capacity of the youth he engages with.

In 2006, Amlan Ganguly, the founder of Prayasam, attended a training on Gender Diversity and Social Transformation at Visthar. After just a few sessions, Visthar’s Executive Trustee Members, Mr. David Selvaraj and Mercy Kappen, recognized his potential and offered him a job as a facilitator for the same course. This marked the transformation of a trainee into a regular facilitator at Visthar.

Founded in 1989, Visthar is a secular Civil Society Organization committed to social justice and peace. Recognizing the impact of social inequalities on the physical and mental well-being of individuals and communities, Visthar responds to issues of gender discrimination, social exclusion, and poverty.

Amlan Ganguly has always been sensitive to the issue of gender diversity. In 2008, he took the initiative to send three of his colleagues to Visthar for a month-long training on Gender Diversity and Social Transformation. Piyali Mazumdar, the ex-president of Prayasam, attended this training alongside two new entrants, Saptarshi Ray and Debasis Raha. Debasis Raha later became the Finance Director of Prayasam, while Saptarshi Ray is now the President of the organization.

In 2012, Prasanta Roy, now the Director of Hospitality and Networking at Prayasam, also underwent this training at Visthar.

Fast forward to 2023, Manish Chowdhury, the Senior Programme Officer of Prayasam, was sent to Visthar for the same training. Reflecting on his experience, Manish said, “To be very frank with you, the Prayasam Ontrack Programme helped me change my mindset about gender diversity. However, the exposure to Visthar showed me how powerful a civil society organization can be and how they organize a month-long training programme. Some sessions at Visthar were mind-boggling, and these insights are helping me now as I edit films by PVB that focus on gender diversity and social transformation.”

Continuing the tradition, this year, two members of Prayasam are traveling to Visthar for the month-long training on Gender Diversity and Social Transformation. Aman Kumar Mukhiya, Senior Programme Officer, and Joyshree Roy, Junior Programme Associate, began their journey last night. Almost the entire Prayasam team gathered at Howrah Railway Station to see them off and wish them good luck.

Prayasam’s commitment to social transformation and gender diversity is not just about training and development. It’s about creating a legacy—parampara—of empowerment, respect—pratishtha—and discipline—anushasan—that will shape the future leaders of tomorrow.

Today, an article in the Indian online newspaper "The Print" has brought the forthcoming film "AGOL" by Prayasam Visual Basics into the limelight. After watching the trailer, Deep Halder from the media house engaged with one of the film's prime characters, Devlina Ganguly, known in the film as Una, and the director, Amlan Kusum Ganguly. The interaction revealed intriguing insights into the film, its characters, and the creative vision behind it.

The Essence of "AGOL"

"AGOL" promises to be a riveting tale, exploring themes of resilience, determination, and the complexities of human relationships. The trailer has already stirred curiosity, hinting at a narrative that delves deep into the human psyche, bringing forth a story that is both relatable and profound.

Conversations with Una and the Director

In his conversation with Devlina Ganguly (Una), Deep Halder unearthed the layers of her character. Una is portrayed as a strong, independent woman navigating life's challenges. Ganguly's portrayal promises to be a standout, with her character's nuances and depth resonating with the audience.

Director Amlan Kusum Ganguly shared his vision for "AGOL," emphasizing the importance of storytelling that touches the heart and mind. He spoke about the meticulous efforts put into crafting each scene, ensuring that the film's narrative flows seamlessly while keeping the audience engaged.

 A Nostalgic Comparison

The article also highlighted an interesting comparison made by renowned film critic Bhaswati Ghosh. Ghosh remarked that Una's character reminded her of the mother played by Aparna Sen in the 1994 Bengali film "Unishe April," directed by Rituparno Ghosh. In "Unishe April," the mother is a busy dancer striving to raise her daughter alone after her husband's death. Despite her daughter's initial disapproval and resentment toward her boyfriend, the mother remains steadfast in living her life.

This comparison sets high expectations for "AGOL," suggesting that it might evoke similar emotional depths and strong character portrayals as seen in "Unishe April."

The Anticipation Builds

With the release of "AGOL" on the horizon, anticipation is building. The film's trailer has already garnered attention, and the insights shared by Deep Halder through his interaction with Devlina Ganguly and Amlan Kusum Ganguly have only added to the excitement.

As the release date approaches, audiences are eagerly waiting to see how "AGOL" unfolds on the big screen. Will it live up to the high expectations set by its trailer and the nostalgic comparisons drawn by critics? Only time will tell. One thing is certain, though: "AGOL" is a film to watch out for, promising a captivating cinematic experience.

Link of the article - Click Here