Social Entrepreneur Premasis Bhattacharjee Honored with International Atal Award for Transformative Social Contributions Born on July 19, 1972, in a modest middle-class family in CIT Road, Motijheel, Kolkata, Premasis Bhattacharjee spent his formative years immersed in the values of compassion and resilience. His upbringing in his ancestral home in Natun Kalipur (Angona), Krishnanagar, Nadia district, West Bengal, surrounded by family and nature, deeply shaped his grounded personality and humanitarian outlook. Known for his progressive mindset and problem-solving abilities from an early age, he was fondly nicknamed “Mender” by friends and family. After completing his schooling in Krishnanagar, he moved to Kolkata in 1992 and earned a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Calcutta in 1994. Simultaneously, he pursued a course in physiotherapy and began working in the healthcare field. Driven by a keen interest in the workings of multifaceted industries, he transitioned into the corporate sector after acquiring computer skills. His career began at a small service company, where he quickly demonstrated leadership. However, when his vision for growth was not aligned with that of the organization, he made the bold decision to establish his own ventures. Over the years, he founded multiple companies, including WorkForce Advisory Pvt. Ltd., SAP Advisory Services Pvt. Ltd., WorkForce Business Management Pvt. Ltd., SAP Interiors & Design Pvt. Ltd., and Sweet Happy Journey Tour & Travels Pvt. Ltd. What began with just 8–10 employees has now evolved into an enterprise generating significant employment opportunities. Currently, he serves as the Founder and Managing Director of three of these ventures and the Chairman of SAP Group. His entrepreneurial philosophy emphasizes contingency planning—“In business, a backup should always have another backup”—and his inclusive hiring practices reflect his belief in talent and determination over academic degrees. He has built a work environment that is professional, merit-based, and empowering. In 2008, he extended his efforts into social service, initiating his activism in Krishnanagar under the belief that “Charity begins at home.” In 2011, he founded the Krishnagar Natun Kalipur Cultural & Welfare Society (KNKCWS), where he serves as President. Through this platform, he has improved the lives of thousands, supporting orphaned children with education, food, clothing, and computer literacy. His philanthropic efforts span a wide range of social issues. He has provided essential resources to tribal communities, including food, clothing, and education, and has assisted many people with disabilities by arranging health check-ups, distributing wheelchairs, and facilitating job opportunities. He also helped form nonprofit self-help groups that produce and market items like jams, handloom products, umbrellas, and toys, even going the extra mile to arrange raw materials and market access. During the COVID-19 pandemic, while most stayed indoors, he stepped up to deliver critical aid—including food, medical supplies, and oxygen cylinders—to those in need. He regularly visits elderly residents in care homes, believing strongly in honoring and caring for the elderly. His connection to a school for the visually impaired is also notable, where he encourages children to overcome adversity with the motto: “Blind eyes are better than blind souls.” He continues to organize regular initiatives such as blood donation drives, health and eye camps, medicine and book distribution programs, and blanket drives. A non-political and approachable figure, he is widely admired in Krishnanagar and Kolkata for his sincerity and dedication. His social work extends to his involvement with Rotary Club Sonarpur, where he has served as President and led several charitable initiatives. His outreach has even touched the remote areas of Sundarbans, providing seasonal relief and hygiene products to underprivileged communities. For his exceptional service to society, he was honored with the Rashtriya Atal Puraskar 2023 at the Pradhanmantri Sangrahalaya in New Delhi on May 16, 2023. His efforts were further recognized when he received the International Atal Award 2023 at the same venue on December 25, 2023. A self-made entrepreneur, humanitarian, and leader, he continues to live by the motto: “Together we can succeed, and can make the world a better place to live in.
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