The ‘Sabar Samity’: Our organization

Since 1968, for the rights of “JAL, JANGAL O JAMIN”, with the hands of Gopiballav Lal Sign Deo, the founder, Paschim Banga Kheria Sabar Kalyan Samity (PBKSKS) has been tirelessly working for the upliftment of the DNT Sabar community in the Purulia and Bankura districts.

The ‘Sabar Samiti’ came into existence on 7th January 1968 in the form of a community collective at Kuda village of Purulia district. Renowned social activist and teacher Mr. Gopiballav Singdeo, from a royal family, along with 7 other Sabar people, were the founder members of the Samity. It started as a movement in the forest right by the Kheria Sabar tribe of Purulia. However, getting attention from the authorities in that era was difficult. The lack of funds was a deterrent to development by the Samiti itself. Till 1983, the agenda remained to get the rights of the lost forest land. This society took rebirth as Paschim Banga Kheria Sabar
Kalyan Samity at Maldi that year. Padmabibhusan and Magsaysay awardee Mahasweta Devi, who was Working President from 1983 to 2016, played a crucial role in advocating for the rights and welfare of the Sabar people. The oppression from the police department declined slowly owing to the activism of the Samiti.

PBKSKS is registered under the West Bengal Society Registration Act XXVI of 1961 on 22/2/1989. Currently, the organization works on livelihood, education, socio-legal rights, entitlements, women empowerment, and promoting the Sabar Handicraft with a population of over 17000 Sabar people in 187 hamlets under 8 blocks of Purulia and 1 block of Bankura district. PBKSKS has been the voice of the Kheria Sabar community for the last five decades. All decisions are taken by the Governing Body, represented by Sabars. Our goal is to sustainably improve their lives and make them self-reliant.