Published Paper Details:

The Sundarbans region of West Bengal represents one of the most ecologically sensitive and socio-economically marginalized areas in India. Characterized by its deltaic landscape, dense mangrove forests, frequent cyclones, tidal flooding, and fragile livelihoods, the region poses severe challenges to human development. Gosaba, one of the largest inhabited islands of the Sundarbans in South 24 Parganas district, reflects these complexities acutely. Geographic isolation, limited transportation, inadequate educational infrastructure, poverty, and vulnerability to climate change have historically restricted access to quality education, healthcare, and sustainable livelihoods for its residents. Within this challenging context, Beacon House, Gosaba, has emerged as a vital institution dedicated to social transformation and community development. Beacon House is not merely an educational center; it represents a holistic development model that integrates education, women and child empowerment, community participation, and environmental consciousness. Its initiatives aim to address structural inequalities while responding to the everyday realities of life in a disaster-prone, remote rural setting .Education in Gosaba has long been affected by school dropouts, child labor, early marriage, gender disparity, and seasonal migration. Children from economically disadvantaged households often lack academic support, learning materials, and exposure to broader opportunities. Beacon House intervenes at this critical juncture by providing inclusive, accessible, and community-oriented educational support that prioritizes marginalized children, especially girls. Through formal schooling assistance, remedial education, and life-skill development, the institution seeks to break the intergenerational cycle of poverty and exclusion. Beyond education, Beacon House plays a significant role in women's empowerment and community resilience. In the Sundarbans, women face compounded disadvantages due to poverty, limited mobility, low literacy, and vulnerability during natural disasters. Beacon House addresses these issues through vocational training, self-help group formation, health awareness programs, and leadership development. These efforts not only enhance household income but also strengthen women's participation in decision-making processes at the family and community levels .Environmental vulnerability is another defining feature of Gosaba. Rising sea levels, salinity intrusion, and frequent cyclones threaten both livelihoods and settlements. Recognizing the interdependence between human development and ecological sustainability, Beacon House integrates environmental education into its programs. Awareness initiatives related to mangrove conservation, climate adaptation, and disaster preparedness equip communities with knowledge essential for survival in an increasingly uncertain ecological future.