Adamas Foundation

Adamas Foundation is focused on integrated development of the areas around the University, which falls in the Barasat Sadar subdivision.

The focus of the foundation is to improve Human Development Index (HDI) of the area, by focusing on health and healthcare, education and improved standards of living. The focus is having a balanced development that is a combination of multiple interventions in education (Anganwadis and primary), healthcare (primary), access (infrastructure, water, legal help), readiness (skill development) and related areas.

• Population – With a 4,094-sq. km. area, the district is home to to 1% of India’s population. This is aggravated by illegal immigration from Bangladesh.
• Climate – Many areas are vulnerable to inundation, including many urban areas. Coastal areas are prone to cyclone.
• Agriculture – There has been a dramatic increase in non-agricultural land use, which stands at 25%. This is decelerating agricultural production, apart from factors like ground water, soil quality, etc.
• Livestock and animal husbandry – Land available for grazing has decreased.
• Jobs – There has been significant job loss because of industrial sickness, driven by technological obsolescence. Apart from additional investments, the increasing land price makes exit a better option for most industrialists. This is also precipitating livelihood change with uncertain incomes.
• Poverty – 82% of rural households suffer from food shortage. Among Municipalities, the severity is less, with only 14% of families below the poverty line. But in some Municipalities like Baduria, it is 60%.
• Education – The drop-out rate at Upper Primary Level is high at 26%. Other concerns include fewer Vocational Training Institutes, no Medical School.
• Healthcare – There is a shortfall of 73 Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs). 48% of kids between 0 to 6 years of age are below normal weight. More than 40% expectant mothers suffer from anemia. There is a high incidence of non-institutional delivery.
• Women empowerment – There is a 10% to 15% gap in literacy rates between genders (urban/ rural). The rate of women’s participation in the workforce is very low. There is a high rate of marriage before adulthood.

However, despite the challenges, with its proximity to Kolkata, high literacy rate, above-average urbanization, irrigation coverage, fertile land and a tradition of industrialization, North 24 Parganas has enormous potential for development that needs to be explored.

DISTRICT HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT NORTH 24 PARGANAS