Karra Society is rooted in Jharkhand, led by its people.
We began as a small collective of rural women and men, driven by a shared vision of sustainable change. Karra Society for Rural Action was born from the need to empower local communities through grassroots action and strenghtening local governance, ensuring that every step forward is rooted in the wisdom of those we serve.
The Founder of Karra Society
Syed Afzal Ahmed
Syed Afzal Ahmed founded the Karra Society for Rural Action with a profound commitment to social justice and rural development. His journey began decades ago, witnessing the structural inequalities faced by tribal communities in Jharkhand. Through his leadership, KSRA transformed from a small local initiative into a robust organization that bridges the gap between grassroots needs and policy advocacy. His vision has always been rooted in the belief that true empowerment comes from within the community, fostering self-reliance and dignity for thousands of families through sustainable livelihoods and rights-based action.
Vision
KSRA Vision is to build itself into an institution that is capable of building strong communities through various training and capacity building programs. Thus enabling them to take their own development initiatives towards self reliant and self sustainable society.
Establish sustainable economic opportunities for over 10,000 tribal families through agro-forestry, entitlements and market linkages.
Strengthen 60+ Gram Sabhas to effectively advocate for PESA and forest rights entitlements for rural residents.
Eliminate child trafficking, marriage, and labor through community-led protection circles and youth collectives.
Reduce malnutrition levels by facilitating solar-powered irrigation for nutrition gardens and rural creches.
Implement soil regeneration and water conservation protocols for 5,000 hectares of tribal forest land.
Train 30+ Solar Sakhis and community health workers to lead change at the doorstep of every rural home.
Grassroots Action & Rights-Based Participation
KSRA believes that sustainable change is possible only when tribal and vulnerable communities are at the forefront of their own development. By combining capacity building with rights entitlement and sustainable livelihood programs, we enable families to transition from vulnerability to self-reliance, ensuring every step forward is rooted in local wisdom and community-led governance.
At Karra Society for Rural Action, our ethical pillars guide every action we take towards sustainable rural empowerment and social justice.
Integrity
We maintain absolute transparency and honesty in all our grassroots actions and advocacy efforts.
Empowerment
Believing in women-led change and the inherent strength of rural communities to lead their own progress.
Sustainability
Promoting agro-forestry and climate-resilient farming to ensure Jharkhand's land flourishes for generations.
Equality
Upholding the rights of tribal and vulnerable communities through unwavering rights-based advocacy.
1985
Foundation
KSRA was inaugurated, marking our first step towards empowering the rural communities of Jharkhand.
1995
Expansion
Deepening our roots, we reached village by village, establishing a strong grassroots network.
2004
Environmental Focus
Watershed initiatives began, promoting climate resilience and restoration of local ecosystems.
2006
Economic Empowerment
Micro finance expansion provided necessary resources for rural livelihoods and self-reliance.
2020
Global Collaboration
UNICEF collaborative work strengthened our systems for women and child protection.
2024
Modern Protection
Continued focus on holistic rights and entitlements for rural families in Jharkhand.
Forty Years in the Villages
40+
Years of Service
10K+
Families Empowered
5K
Hectares Restored
60+
Gram Sabhas Strengthened
A Decade-by-Decade Journey
From our early foundation in the 1980s focusing on basic rural empowerment, through the 90s expansion of grassroots networks, to the 2000s where we integrated climate resiliency and watershed management. The last decade has seen us pivot towards professionalized rights-based advocacy and global collaborations, strengthening the very fabric of local governance in Jharkhand.
Areas of Work
- Sustainable Agriculture & Agro-forestry
- Women & Child Rights Protection
- Grassroots Governance (PESA & FRA)
- Health & Nutrition Facilitation
- Climate Justice & Soil Regeneration
Where We Work
Our primary focus remains the Jharkhand region, reaching into the most remote tribal villages where our presence is needed most. We operate across multiple districts, ensuring deep integration with local Gram Sabhas.
Our Partners
UNICEF, Local Government Agencies, Tribal Development Unions, and various grassroots collectives dedicated to social justice.
Join us in building a future where every tribal community in Jharkhand exercises their rights with dignity.
Year-wise Milestone Record
1985: KSRA Founded In Jharkhand
1988: First Women's Collective Established
1992: Grassroots Awareness Campaign Launch
1995: Strategic Expansion into Multiple Districts
1998: Rights-based Advocacy Integration
2001: Sustainable Livelihood Pilot Program
2004: Climate Resiliency & Watershed Initiatives
2006: Micro-finance Capacity Building
2009: Agro-forestry Large Scale Implementation
2012: Child Trafficking Prevention Network
2015: Gram Sabha Empowerment Framework
2018: PESA Rights Advocacy Milestone
2020: UNICEF Collaboration for Health & Nutrition
2022: Solar Sakhi Training Program Launch
2024: Digital Rights & Modern Protection Systems
SM Shafin Ali
Sadique Jahan
Saraswati Devi
Priyambada
Chief Functionary
Program Manager
Community Lead
Advocate
Chairperson
Treasurer
Secretary
SM Shafin Ali
Kaushiki Sen Gupta
Luquman Quamer
Susmita Ghatary
Board Members
Consultant
Apurva Vivek
Board Members
Lawyer
Jawed Jamal
Board Members
Business Man
Anamul Haque
Board Members
Retd. Gov. Officer