The International Executive (IE), which meets monthly in Toronto, consists of volunteers from the business and academic communities, including a treasurer and secretary. External auditors review our financial statements annually in both Toronto and Calcutta.
An appointed board of seven members oversees all the work in Calcutta and nearby villages, under the name of Toronto-Calcutta Association (TCA). A project coordinator manages all our projects and reports monthly to the Calcutta board and to the international executive. The vice-president deals with legal matters and liaises with the Toronto executive. TCA produces monthly financial statements and as well as annual audited financial statements which are reviewed by the Calcutta board and to the IE.
Project development and financial and administrative oversight are facilitated by yearly visits of several of the Toronto executive or general members to Calcutta.
Funds are raised in Toronto through local events, an annual mail request, and the employees’ charitable funds of several large corporations and banks, such as Suncor, Ontario Hydro and The Royal Bank. We co-operate with other organizations (such as Toronto Sanskriti Sangstha) and have managed joint events with, for instance, Results Canada and Gems of Hope.
The Toronto-Calcutta Foundation is registered with the Canadian government as a charity and participates in Canada’s annual “United Way†community fund-raising appeal. The TCA is registered in India to receive foreign funds and under the West Bengal Societies Registration Act.
President: Shouvik Mazumdar
Vice President: Dr. Teesta Soman
Secretary: Sumohan Picklu Datta
Treasurer: Debashish Chakravorty
Directors:
Tapan Mazumder
Manjurika Das
Chitra Ghosh
Papia Dutta
Uttam Chakrabarti
Mailing Address:
The Toronto-Calcutta Foundation
2 Leland Avenue, Toronto, On. M8Z 2X5
Email:
toronto-calcutta@outlook.com
shouvikm@hotmail.com (Shouvik Mazumdar)
President: Prathama Das
Secretary: Kashinath Dey
Treasurer: Sujit K. Datta
Directors:
Swapan K. Bhadra
Aparna Sengupta
Gouri Das
Suchismita Ghosh
Jhunnu Podder
Mailing Address:
The Toronto-Calcutta Association
2/45 Naktala Road, Kolkata 700 048, India
Ted Culp
Comments:
In 1988 a small group of people in Toronto who were inspired and fascinated by India especially Calcutta (now known as Kolkata), decided to help the disadvantaged of India and the sub-continent. We knew that, despite the progress of modern India, there were millions of people who needed basic education and skill training, and medical assistance of every type. We organized to the best of our abilities, and raised funds (never enough), and opened the first medical clinic in Naktala. Then we started to subsidize existing schools that needed assistance. As the HIV/AIDS started spread all over India, we started to work extensively in Red Light District by distributing condoms and educating sex workers about safe sex and other sexually transmitted disease. It made a difference in the community as some of the sex workers started to volunteer for TCF. Since then we expanded our work to include vocational training, eye camps, helping local schools and more medical clinics in remote villages. We hope to open more medical clinics, eye camps, vocational training centre and schools. With your help we will continue to fulfill our mission. ---Ted Culp
Anoucha Villavarayan
Paul Werbiski
Comments:
During my tenure as second president of the Toronto-Calcutta Foundation, as the TCA was known at the time, I witnessed the early struggles of the organization in its attempts to alleviate the woes of the most impoverished inhabitants of Kolkata and its surrounding areas. Our efforts at the time were largely focused on the establishment and staffing of the Dr. R.N. Bhaduri Memorial Health Centre and a few surrounding day clinics. Our accomplishments included the acquisition of an ambulance and an AIDS awareness program in the red light district. How things have evolved over the past quarter century! Apart from diligently pursuing its health mandate, TCF has since branched out into education, skills training and women’s empowerment. I am proud to have had the privilege of leading this organization in its early days and wish it a long and continued success. Congratulations to all who have participated over the last 30 years! ---Paul Werbiski
Thomas Allgower
Remarks:
30 years ago, when we started this organization we hoped it would be the beginning of something lasting. Our hopes have not been in vain. Thank you, everyone, who has worked so hard to keep the vision alive. Cheers, ---Thomas Allgoewer
Arun Palit
Advisor: Dr. Christine Furedy
Remarks:
The Toronto-Calcutta Foundation has reached another heart-warming milestone with our thirtieth anniversary. I am so pleased to be able to look back over the years, to think of the ways in which we explored how to bring basic services to fringe communities in West Bengal: Communities overlooked and neglected, crying out for a helping hand. Since our last anniversary celebration, the twenty fifth, TCF/TCA has advanced in creating and strengthening partnerships with dedicated local NGOs. This has greatly enhanced our ability to understand the needs of the disadvantaged in West Bengal. It has enriched our lives and motivated us to keep on with fund raising and communication. Congratulations to all of you in Toronto and Kolkata.
With good wishes,
Dr Christine Furedy, Sydney, Australia [Former board member TCF]
Mihir Ray
Comments: The Toronto-Calcutta Foundation
The TCF began in 1988 when a group of Torontonians in business, teaching and academia came together to consider ways in helping alleviate poverty and need in Calcutta.
Read More