Soujan Mandal, who goes by the nickname “Raja”, has been with Dakshini Prayash since its beginning in 1993, joining at just 19 years of age. When he first joined, he was a teacher of Class 4 Maths and Class 6 and 7 History and Geography, but in the last 16 or 17 years, he has worked as an accountant within the organisation. Along with managing accounts, he also handles any additional miscellaneous tasks that need to be done. 

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Like many Dakshini Prayash members have mentioned, Raja declared that it’s his “family”. The founder, Nalini Mukherjee, was a particularly influential person for him, as she taught him “how to work in society” among other things. “The first time, I had no confidence and didn’t know if I could manage,” Raja remarked. “But she said that I could, and she would help me whenever I needed it.” This belief has helped him perform his duties with confidence and dedication for nearly two decades.

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Raja’s fondest memory during his time with Dakshini Prayash so far dates back to 1993, when “there was no concrete structure; only mud walls”. The industrial shifts and advancements, however, have led to the school’s development into the Dakshini Prayash we know and love today. Now 48 years old, Raja is excited with what’s to come and diligently continues with his role as accountant.

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